Teaching Assistant (Level 2) - Maternity Cover

Pay Scale: Grade D (Points 7-10). Actual salary £20,502 to £21,504 per annum

Contract: Temporary, TTO (39 weeks per academic year)

Hours: 32.5 hours per week

Closing Date: 20 March 2026 at 12 noon

Start Date: ASAP

Contract End Date: 28 March 2027

We currently have an exciting opportunity for a well organised, inspirational Teaching Assistant to assist our students to catch-up with their learning in order that they can access the full curriculum. This role will supervise both individual and small groups of students who have been identified as having targeted needs, in order to accelerate their progress and learning and ensure that such students develop good attitudes to learning. This role will also work with the Curriculum Leader Learning Support / SENCO to assist with the planning and delivery of any intervention required.

The Trust

From 1st January 2022, Droylsden Academy has become the founding member of the Tame River Educational Trust. You can find more information about this at: https://www.droylsdenacademy.com/tret/417608.html.

Our mission is to challenge educational and social disadvantage by hosting a family of great community-based schools in which to learn, teach and belong. Our Trust promotes learning, develops character, values diversity and builds cultural capital. By the age of 16 we want every student to progress to suitably challenging post-16 studies or apprenticeships.

The School

Droylsden Academy is a good school; this is a very exciting time to join us as we continue to build a team of committed professionals who are driven in making our vision of becoming outstanding a reality.

Pupils are proud to attend Droylsden Academy

Pupils are happy and accepting of each other’s differences. The school is a place where they can be themselves

Teachers’ expectations of pupils’ behaviour and academic achievement are high. Pupils rise to these standards

Pupils behave well and work hard”

Pupils are expected to develop their character and confidence. They develop leadership skills and they are well prepared for life in modern Britain”

Teachers are successful in helping pupils to deepen their understanding of ideas and concepts across the curriculum. Effective support helps pupils remember more over time”

An extensive programme of pastoral support and life lessons ensures that pupils learn about healthy relationships and the wider world”

Pupils benefit from an extensive range of extra-curricular clubs”

Droylsden Academy is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and we expect all staff to share this commitment. This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974; pre-employment checks will be carried out, references will be sought and successful candidates will be subject to an enhanced DBS check and other relevant checks with statutory bodies.

It is an offence to apply for this role if you have been barred from engaging in regulated activity relevant to children.

We are an equal opportunities employer. It is our policy to employ the best qualified personnel and we are committed to providing equal opportunity in recruitment and employment to all individuals who meet our criteria for the role advertised. We will consider candidates without regard to race, ethnicity, gender, religion, sexual orientation and identity, national origin, age, military or veteran status, disability, or any other legally protected status. This list is not exhaustive, and candidates will also be considered without discrimination based on socioeconomic, marital, parental or caregiving status, or any of the previously listed characteristics or statuses.

We value the diversity of our staff and do not tolerate any form of harassment, discrimination, or victimisation. We achieve this by creating and maintaining a work environment and culture where people from different backgrounds, and with varying lifestyles, interests, opinions, and responsibilities, treat each other with dignity and respect. Our working environment is such that our staff feel safe and are inspired and motivated to be their best.

Our school is dedicated to sustaining and promoting diversity with respect to recruitment, promotion, training, and general treatment during employment. We are actively seeking to extend the diversity of our staff.

Interested applicants should complete a Droylsden Academy Application Form and Equal Opportunities Application Form available at https://www.tret.org.uk/vacancies/droylsden-academy-vacancies/

Completed applications should be returned to:hr@droylsdenacademy.com or the Human Resources Department, Droylsden Academy, Manor Road, Droylsden, Manchester, M43 6QD.

Due to the volume of applications we receive, we may only be able to contact candidates who are being actively considered for a position.


Supporting Documents

Candidate Information Pack

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Location

Manor Road, Droylsden, Tameside, M43 6QD, United Kingdom

Job ID

14689

Supporting You Through Every Step of Your Journey

We want every candidate to feel welcomed, informed and confident when applying for a role with us.

This section brings together everything you need to succeed - from guidance on writing an authentic application to and understanding how to use AI responsibly.

You’ll also find information about our Greater Manchester commitments, including our inclusive employment schemes and standards, as well as tools to help you explore your potential pay, benefits and entitlements. We’re here to ensure you have the support you need at every stage.

Working for a local authority in Greater Manchester

Local authorities across Greater Manchester are proud to be part of a shared commitment to widening access to employment and ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to thrive.

These commitments span a number of long‑standing schemes and initiatives designed to open doors, remove barriers and ensure all applicants feel valued and respected throughout their employment journey.

Greater Manchester Good Employment Charter

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Our Guaranteed Assessment Scheme

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Your Pay, Your Benefits, Your Future

Explore easy‑to‑use tools that help you understand your take‑home pay and how different employment situations may affect the financial support available to you and your household.

  1. Calculate Your Take‑Home Pay

    Use this salary calculator to estimate your net pay after tax, National Insurance, and pension contributions.

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Applying Authentically With AI: Our Greater Manchester Approach

Across Greater Manchester’s local authorities, we want to hear your genuine experiences, skills and motivations, expressed in your own words.

To keep our recruitment process fair and inclusive, please complete your application personally and follow the instructions carefully. AI can be used to support you - for example, to help structure your answers or as a reasonable adjustment - but your application should still reflect your authentic voice. If you do use AI as a support tool, a brief explanation helps us ensure an equitable selection process.

Applications that depend too heavily on AI‑generated content may not progress to shortlisting.

This guidance outlines acceptable and unacceptable uses of AI, along with suggestions for using it in a way that supports you while keeping your application true to you.

  1. What Is AI and How Do We Use It Across Greater Manchester?

    AI refers to technology that can create or refine content, such as text, ideas, summaries, or planning. It can help improve productivity, problem-solving, and creativity.

    We’re open to using innovative digital tools where they can help us work smarter and deliver better services for our residents. However, every use of AI is carefully considered to make sure it is ethical, responsible, and aligned with public-sector values.

    When it comes to recruitment, we take a human-centred approach.

    This means:

    • A trained hiring manager reads every application

    • Shortlisting is based on objective criteria required for the job

    • Interviews are conducted in person or via teams by the hiring manager for the role

    • All hiring decisions are made by hiring managers, not algorithms

    AI does not make decisions in our recruitment process and our managers are being upskilled to spot AI in applications, particularly when this might have been used in a way that doesn’t feel genuine. If something in an application raises a question or concern, we will test this out with assessments or at the interview stage to confirm authenticity.

    Our aim isn’t to catch anyone out but to make sure we’re getting to know the real you, giving every candidate a fair chance and finding the right person for the role.

  2. Using AI in Your Application

    When it comes to job applications, what matters most to us is you. We want to see your personality, your experience, and what excites you about joining our team. 

    We recognise that AI can be a helpful tool to support accessibility during the application process. If you choose to use AI for support, please read the instructions carefully and make sure your application is written in your own words, reflecting your genuine skills, knowledge, experience and enthusiasm.

    We’re looking forward to hearing your story.

  3. How to use AI Effectively and Responsibly

    Your application is your chance to show us:

    • Who you are

    • What you can bring

    • The values you hold

    • Why you want to make a difference

    AI can help you organise your thoughts or improve clarity but it cannot express your unique voice, experiences, or motivations.

    AI is most helpful when used to:

    • Help you structure the information you are providing to evidence the criteria

    • Give examples of how to use STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result)

    • Proof-read to highlight grammar or spelling errors

    • Provide inspiration if you're finding it difficult to find the right words to explain something

    But remember: your honesty, lived experience, and motivations are irreplaceable.

  4. Do’s and Don’ts for Using AI in the Recruitment Process

    Do:

    • Use AI as a supportive tool, not a replacement

    • Ask AI to help tidy up your writing or clarify structure

    • Use it to brainstorm examples, then rewrite them in your own voice

    • Reflect on AI suggestions and adapt them to match your experience

    • Use AI to help with research, but express your understanding yourself

    Don’t:

    • Copy and paste AI-generated content directly into your application

    • Let AI exaggerate or invent experience you do not have

    • Rely on generic statements that don’t reflect the specific role requirements

    • Remove your individuality, we want to hear your voice