Summary
Harris Primary Academy Purley Way is looking for a Teaching Assistant to support individuals and groups of children, including those with SEN, on a 12-month fixed-term contract from September 2026. The successful candidate will be involved in first aid related matters and have a basic knowledge of SEND and learning barriers.
The actual salary for this role will be £25,394.21 - £25,756.54 (39 weeks per year, 37.5 hours per week).
About Us
Harris Primary Academy Purley Way has been open since 2016 and is Ofsted rated 'Outstanding' in all areas. At full capacity there will be 21 classes from Reception to Year 6. We opened with a Reception cohort and are growing by a year group at a time with 580 pupils on roll from Reception to Year 6.
The whole community strive for Harris Primary Academy Purley Way to be the best it can possibly be which is encapsulated by our vision statement: “Excellence for All”. Our core values of: Positivity, Ambition and Growth, underpin everything that happens in our academy and we have high expectations that these are followed and modelled by all staff, parents and children.
Main Areas of Responsibility
Your role will include:
- Supervising and supporting identified children, in 1:1, group or whole class situations, ensuring their safety and access to learning
- Assisting in the development of appropriate resources, schemes of work and teaching strategies
- Assisting in evaluating identified children's progress
- Providing detailed and regular feedback to teachers on children’s achievement, progress and needs
- Leading small group sessions and interventions
- Attending to children's personal needs where required, including social, health, physical, hygiene, first aid and welfare matters
- Supporting with behaviour management
- Contributing towards a purposeful and supportive learning environment.
- Undertaking structured and agreed learning activities/teaching programmes, adjusting activities to ensure achievement of learning goals
- Assisting with the supervision of children out of lesson times, such as playtime and lunchtime duty
- Establishing good relationships with children, acting as a role model
- Promoting the inclusion and acceptance of all children, supporting difference and ensuring that all have equal access to opportunities to learn and develop
- Supporting children with their learning and development in areas such as literacy, numeracy, Key Stage and/or subject specific
- Encouraging children to interact with others and engage in activities
- Preparing and clearing the classroom assisting with the display of children’s work
- Preparing and maintaining equipment and resources and supporting children in their use
- Undertaking record keeping
- Establishing and maintaining positive relationships with parents/carers
- Providing general administrative support
Qualifications & Experience
We would like to hear from you if you have:
- Qualifications to degree level or equivalent
- Basic knowledge of SEND and learning barriers
- Some knowledge of strategies in working with young people with challenging behaviours
- Knowledge of some of the social issues facing students from disadvantaged backgrounds
- Awareness of Health and Safety issues in the workplace.
- Experience of working directly with young people in an education or training environment, supporting the learning of students.
- Experience of establishing and maintaining positive working relationships with a range of stakeholders, at all levels.
- Experience of managing and being responsible for own workload.
For a full job description and person specification, please download the Job Pack.
Next Steps
If you have any questions about this opportunity, please send us an email, or call to arrange a conversation.
Before applying, please download the Job Pack for full details on the job responsibilities and person specification. This will be helpful for you when completing your application, and throughout the recruitment process.
We encourage you to apply as soon as possible as we may interview and offer to a candidate before the closing date. Please note that we only accept applications submitted before the closing date via our careers website.
Professional Development & Benefits
Our people are at the heart of our success. We have developed a strong culture of collaboration and best practice, with professional development and career planning at its centre. We invest in our staff with support, coaching, mentoring, and a wide range of top-quality training programmes delivered at every level.
In addition to the opportunities for career development and progression, we also offer a competitive rewards and benefits package which includes our Harris Allowance for teachers on MPS/UPS, a Performance and Loyalty Bonus, Pension Scheme with generous employer contributions, a Wellbeing Cash Plan and many other benefits. Learn more about our benefits on our website.
Safeguarding Notice
The Harris Federation and all our academies are committed to ensuring the highest levels of safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people, and we expect all our staff and volunteers to share this commitment. All offers of employment are subject to an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check, references, an online search, and where applicable, a prohibition from teaching check will be completed.
Equal Opportunities
The Harris Federation is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applications from all suitably qualified candidates.
We value the diversity of our staff and students, and everyone at the Harris Federation is equally valued and respected. We aim to be an inclusive employer that reflects the communities we serve. We are committed to providing a fair, equitable and mutually supportive learning and working environment.
Job Reference: HF07650-HPAPW
