Teaching Assistant Apprenticeship - Smestow Academy ( MATRIX ACADEMY TRUST) About the employer: Smestow Academy, located in the Castlecroft area of Wolverhampton, England, is a coeducational secondary school and sixth form. At Smestow Academy, we are deeply committed to supporting every child in achieving their fullest potential. Our mission is to deliver the best possible educational experience for our pupils, guided by a simple yet profound principle: "What we would want for our own families is what we want for every child at Smestow." We inspire our pupils to focus on shaping their own futures, with the ultimate aim of securing opportunities such as admission to top universities, highly sought-after apprenticeships, or high-quality employment with robust training pathways. Overview of role: To work as part of the Special Educational Needs Support Team in supporting and including pupils with learning difficulties/disabilities. You will be working in the Secondary School supporting students from Year 7 to Year 11. Key details: Hours: 37 hours per week Shifts: (Monday – Thursday 8.00am – 4.00pm, Friday 8.00am – 3.30pm (including a 30 minute lunch) Term-time only (39 weeks per year) Wage: £12,656 - £17,007 (dependent on level of previous experience, education and qualifications) Location: Smestow Academy, Wolverhampton (WV3 8HU) Apprenticeship details: Qualification: Level 3 Teaching Assistant Qualification Duration of course: 16 months Training Provider: LMP Education (Rated No 1 Training Provider in the UK) All learning delivered online/ remotely alongside placement at school. Full Duties and Responsibilities: Understand and support the special educational needs of pupils, ensuring their safety and access to learning. Supervise and motivate pupils, monitoring their social, emotional, and physical wellbeing. Assist with reading, exam support, and tailored learning activities. Encourage interaction, independence, and self-esteem while promoting positive behavior. Provide feedback on progress and help develop, monitor, and review pupil profiles and IEPs. Help prepare and use materials, resources, and ICT to aid learning. Support teachers by maintaining a constructive learning environment, monitoring pupil progress, and assisting with classroom displays and interventions. Supervise group or individual tasks, practical activities, and school trips. Assist with SEND department resources and maintain school displays. Support pupils during breaks, after-school activities, and out-of-school learning. Please note this is a concise list of responsibilities - we will provide a full overview during the screening process Apprenticeship Training: The apprenticeship training will take place in house while you are at the workplace. We book once a month training session with your allocated tutor. This will be on a platform called BUD. Here your tutor will go through the modules and units of your course. We also have 6-8 weeks monthly review plans, this will be with yourself, line manager and tutor. The training you will be undertaking is Teaching Assistant Level 3. Skills & Personal Qualities: Good organizational skills, ability to show initiative Good communication skills Good ICT skills Ability to work as part of a team Ability to reflect Ability to demonstrate patience with firmness Ability to form and maintain appropriate relationships and personal boundaries with children Ability to maintain confidentiality Emotional resilience in working in a range of challenging situations Qualifications Requirements: GCSE or equivalent (Functional skills) English (Grade 4) essential GCSE or equivalent (Functional skills) Maths (Grade 4) essential Next steps & Pre-employment checks: Permitting you’re eligible for the role) Please expect to receive contact from our LMP Education Recruitment team, to discuss your application further. Additionally, please be aware that upon a successful offer of employment, DBS checks and references will be obtained as part of your enrolment. LMPTA