Teaching Assistant (Level 3)

Salary: NJC £23,863 - £24,659 (Actual) £28,598 - £29,540 (FTE) + well-being cash plan + pension scheme (LGPS) + additional Lift Schools benefits
Hours: 37 per week, 38 weeks per year
Contract: Fixed Term - until August 2026
Start date: October/November 2025

At Lift Cottingley we're looking for a caring and enthusiastic Level 3 Teaching Assistant with a genuine passion and skill for supporting children and seeing them thrive. At Lift Cottingley we believe every child deserves the best start in life - and your support could make all the difference.
This is an opportunity to make a tangible impact on the lives of young people.

About the role

As a Level 3 Teaching Assistant, you'll work closely with teachers and the SENCO to support students with a range of classroom based support and/or additional needs. You'll help them access learning, develop confidence and experience success - both in and out of the classroom.

You'll assist with lesson planning and delivery, provide targeted interventions and promote positive behaviour, helping to build a calm, supportive environment where every child can feel safe, valued and understood. As a level 3 teaching assistant, you may also be required to cover lessons for short periods of time, in emergency situations.

The kind of skills we're looking for

We understand every candidate brings a unique blend of experience, but we'd love to see:

• A strong understanding of how children learn, particularly those with additional needs
• Experience within a primary school setting
• Flexibility to work across all areas of the school from EYFS to Year 6
• Clear communication skills - with children, teachers and parents alike
• The ability to stay calm and positive under pressure
• Initiative, flexibility and a proactive attitude
• Confidence working one-to-one or with small groups
• A team-focused mindset and willingness to support across the school
• Commitment to inclusion and promoting every child's right to succeed
• Patience, empathy and a passion for helping children achieve their best
• A level 3 TA qualification or equivalent

About the school

At Lift Cottingley, we are proud to be a vibrant, ambitious school community with a strong sense of purpose and belonging. We combine high expectations for academic achievement with a deep commitment to inclusion, creativity and play. Our children benefit from a unique and evolving site, including large outdoor spaces, an OPAL play programme, a developing forest area, and a growing range of specialist provisions to ensure every child thrives.

We are incredibly proud of our successes, from exceptional outcomes in reading, writing and maths to our national recognition for oracy, inclusion and sustainability. We are an excellent school, with a culture built on collaboration, professional growth and innovation. Staff here know they will be supported, developed and trusted, with regular coaching, dedicated time to focus on what matters, and the chance to shape whole-school initiatives. Our values - big-hearted, unusually brave, pushing the limits and discovering what's possible - are lived daily by children and adults alike.

If you want to join a forward-thinking team where your contribution makes a visible difference, and be part of a community that is ambitious for every child, then Lift Cottingley is the place to grow your career.

Come and visit us:

If you would like to know more about this role or would like to arrange a visit please contact us.

Who is Lift Schools?

We're a diverse and inclusive network of schools with one clear mission; to provide an excellent education to every child - in every classroom, every day. And we do this across each of our 57 schools. As with our students, we want our team to be empowered to do their best work, supported by the best leadership they've ever had.

We acknowledge and appreciate the exceptional efforts of everyone here in making this an incredible organisation.

We offer you:

• Comprehensive training: Access a wide range of developmental training to boost your career.
• Generous benefits: From your pension plan to healthcare and financial support, we've got you covered.
• Lifestyle perks: Enjoy discounted gym memberships, travel deals, and even electric vehicle incentives.

The role is due to commence October/November 2025. This is a fixed term position until August 2026 position.

Closing date: 25th September

Interview date: 1st October

We reserve the right to close this vacancy early should we receive an overwhelming response. All candidates are advised to refer to the job description and person specification before making an application.

Lift Schools are committed to ensuring the highest levels of safeguarding and promoting the welfare of our pupils, and we expect all our people and volunteers to share this commitment. We adopt a fair and consistent recruitment process which is inline with Keeping Children Safe in Education guidance. This includes online checks for shortlisted candidates. All offers of employment are subject to an Enhanced DBS check, references, and where applicable, a prohibition from teaching check.

Lift Schools embraces diversity and promotes equality of opportunity. Job share, part-time and flexible working opportunities will be considered.

We are a Disability Confident Employer and there is a guaranteed interview scheme for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.