Key Role Information

Salary
29,064.00 - 31,022.00
Job type
Full Time
Contract type
Permanent
Closing
26/02/2026 12:00
Interview
W/C 2nd March
Contract term
TTO Plus - Term time only plus weeks
Pay grade
Support Staff | SCP13 - SCP17
Department
Support Staff (MAT)
Key stage
Key Stage 3, Key Stage 4
Hours per week
37.00
Weeks per year
39.000
Visa sponsorship
No

Your Role

Pay Range: N5 SCP 13-17 FTE: £29,064-£31,022 (£15.06 - £16.08 per hour)

£24,956 - £26,637 actual salary pro-rata

Working Pattern: 37 hours per week, term time + 5 additional training days


Are you looking for an exciting new role to support pupils?


Gilbert Ward Academy is seeking to appoint Pastoral Support Officers. We are looking for committed and experienced individuals to support the school in the lead-up to our Ofsted inspection.


This role is perfect for a positive and professional individual with:

  • 4 GCSEs Grade C+/4+ (or equivalent) including Maths and English
  • NVQ Level 3 DfE recognised Teaching Assistant SEND Assistant, EYFS or Childcare qualification qualification or higher qualification with relevant experience
  • Willingness to participate in relevant training and development opportunities
  • Good ICT skills and the proven ability to use them effectively to support learning


As a valued member of our team, you will:

  • Develop and maintain effective relationships with pupils most of whom struggle with formal education
  • Play a key role in an on-call support network available to pupils throughout the working day
  • Be responsible for pastoral support, re-engagement and interventions for pupils within a particular pathway
  • Act as a role model to other teaching assistants and support staff with behaviour interventions


Does this sound like the role for you?


Gilbert Ward Academy is a new, purpose-built Department for Education (DfE) special free school designed to provide a tailored education for pupils aged 11-16 with SEMH needs and ASC. Opened recently to meet a growing demand in the region, the academy is proud to offer a modern, inclusive, and nurturing learning environment.


Our facilities have been specifically designed to support the unique needs of our pupils, with specialist spaces to encourage personal growth, learning, and well-being. Located in Blyth, Northumberland, we are deeply committed to fostering resilience, independence, and aspiration in every pupil we serve.


As part of Prosper Learning Trust, which supports five specialist schools in the North East, we share a commitment to empowering vulnerable young people to succeed.


To learn more about Gilbert Ward Academy and Prosper Learning Trust, please visit the websites.

  

Prosper Learning Trust was established in January 2018 to help vulnerable young people succeed against the odds. Four core values underpin everything we do as a Trust, these are Aspiration, Integrity, Resilience and Kindness. We are looking for staff who share those values and want to support our young people.

 

The Trust currently have 5 schools in the region: 


  • Newcastle Bridges School – Alternative Provision academy offering education to pupils unable to access mainstream school due to medical needs including hospitalised children and young people (3-19 years) 
  • Mary Astell Academy – Alternative Provision academy offering education to permanently excluded pupils and pupils who are struggling in mainstream school (11-16 years) 
  • Thomas Bewick Special School – Special School academy for pupils with a diagnosis of autism (3-19 years) 
  • Harry Watts Academy – Special School academy for pupils with a diagnosis of autism (5-16 years) 
  • Gilbert Ward Academy – Special School academy for pupils with SEMH or a diagnosis of autism (11-16 years) 

 

Prosper Learning Trust was also recently named as the lead partner in the opening of a new Free School in Jarrow, South Tyneside. This school will be a Special School academy for pupils with SEMH (4-11 years).

 

The successful candidate will be deployed initially at Gilbert Ward Academy but will be expected to work at any Prosper Learning Trust site should the need arise.


Benefits of working for Prosper Learning Trust

 

The Trust is proud to say that we match the Real Living Wage and we also offer successful candidates:

 

  • A friendly and supportive team of staff who are willing to share expertise and learn from one another 
  • Opportunities for career development and support with development through Trust wide Continuing Professional Development (CPD) programmes 
  • Access to an Employee Assistance Programme and support from the Trust's Wellbeing Network Group 
  • Access to either Teacher's Pension or Local Government Pension Scheme, each with favourable employer contribution rates. 
  • Employee centred policies that support you in and beyond the workplace 
  • Funded eye tests for DSE users (subject to T/Cs) 
  • Bike 2 Work scheme

 

For more information on why we think you should work for us see our Trust website, where you will also find videos of what our current staff think. 


The successful candidate will be welcomed into the Trust, so if this sounds like the job for you please don't hesitate to apply.  

 

Please note that all successful candidates will be required to complete an online pre-employment medical questionnaire.

Qualifications

4 GCSEs Grade C+/4+ (or equivalent) including Maths and Englishessential
NVQ Level 3 DfE recognised Teaching Assistant SEND Assistant, EYFS or Childcare qualificationessential
Willingness to participate in relevant training and development opportunitiesessential
Good ICT skills and the proven ability to use them effectively to support learningessential

Gilbert Ward Academy

Barry Reed

admin@gilbertwardacademy.co.uk


Princess Louise Road
Blyth
Northumberland
NE24 2TS

Safeguarding Information

Prosper Learning Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people, as well as vulnerable adults, and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Successful applicants will be required to apply for Disclosure from the DBS.

 

The Trust actively promotes equality of opportunity with the right mix of talent, skills and potential and welcomes applications from a wide range of candidates. The Trust selects all candidates for employment based on their skills, qualifications and experience, in comparison against the person specification.

 

This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. If you are invited for interview, you will be required to disclose convictions that would not be filtered, prior to the date of the interview. Certain spent convictions and cautions will be ‘protected’ and do not need to be disclosed. Full details on protected convictions and information about which convictions must be declared during job applications can be found on the Ministry of Justice website. You will be asked for further information about your criminal history during the recruitment process. If your application is successful, this self-disclosure information will be checked against information from the Disclosure and Barring Service before your appointment is confirmed. This role will include Regulated Activities and an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) disclosure is required for this post. Please note that in all cases written references will be taken up and made available to interviewers before the final selection stage; even if you indicate otherwise.


Online vetting checks will be carried out for candidates who are shortlisted.