East Sussex County Council
Senior Teaching Assistant - EBSA/SEMH (Uplands Academy)
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Hours of work: 37 Hours Working pattern: Full-time, Term-time only (As the position is term-time only, the above salary will be pro rata)
Closing date: 8am Monday 13 July 2026
For more information and to apply for the above post, please contact:
Uplands Academy
Lower High Street
Wadhurst
East Sussex
TN6 2AS
Phone: 01892 603000
Email: cburgess@markeducationtrust.org [cburgess@markeducationtrust.org]
Website: https://mynewterm.com/jobs/148945/EDV-2026-UA-73390 [https://mynewterm.com/jobs/148945/EDV-2026-UA-73390]
Please note, we do not accept CVs.
Senior Teaching Assistant
Start date: September 2026
Grade/Salary: Single Status Grade 4-5 Points 9-13 - £25,185-£26,402 full time equivalent. Actual salary example based on Grade 4 Point 9 is £22,121
Contract: Permanent, full time (37 hours per week plus 30 minutes unpaid break per day, Monday – Friday), term time only
We are seeking an exceptional Senior Teaching Assistant to support pupils with Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH) needs and those experiencing Emotionally Based School Avoidance (EBSA). This highly rewarding role offers the opportunity to make a genuine difference in the lives of young people by helping them overcome barriers to learning, build confidence, and develop positive relationships. Working closely with teaching staff, families and external professionals, you will provide targeted support that enables pupils to re-engage with education, improve their emotional wellbeing, and achieve their full potential. Every day brings the chance to celebrate meaningful progress; whether it is a pupil attending school consistently, managing their emotions more effectively, or taking a positive step towards independence. If you are a compassionate, resilient and dedicated professional with a passion for supporting vulnerable young people, this role offers the chance to have a lasting impact and be part of a team that transforms lives.
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Many of our Teaching Assistants have progressed into roles such as Teachers, Assistant SENDCO, Assistant Head of Year, or moved into Health & Care, Social Work, or Educational Psychology.
‘I worked as a Teaching Assistant before becoming a Teacher, and it was a great experience!’ (MARK Education Trust Teacher testimonial)
Benefits of working with us:
- Flexible working approach
- Staff recognition initiatives
- Eligibility to join the Local Government Pension Scheme/Teacher’s Pension Scheme
- Generous annual leave entitlement (support staff)
- Access to Wellbeing Support through our Employee Assistance Programme, this includes free confidential telephone and face to face counselling
- Opportunities to share your views through staff surveys and forums
- Eligibility to access Blue Light Card and discounts
- Discounted use of Gym & Exercise Classes at Uplands Academy
- Free parking available onsite or within close proximity to all our schools
- Free optician’s eyesight test for DSE users
Uplands Academy a mixed 11-16 non-selective converter academy with approximately 835 students. Uplands is situated in Wadhurst, a small, rural town in East Sussex with traditional, independent shops in a warm and friendly local community. Wadhurst is close to Royal Tunbridge Wells which is approximately seven miles north with its bustling shopping centre, iconic landmarks and thriving social scene and fascinating architecture. A lot of our staff commute to us from a variety of places such as the south coast including Hastings and Eastbourne together with other locations across Kent and Sussex.
Uplands Academy, alongside Beacon Academy and Hailsham Academy, is proud to be part of MARK Education Trust. The acronym MARK was selected because staff who work in the Trust are motivated, ambitious, resourceful and knowledgeable. The Trust was established in September 2022 with the integration of Uplands Academy (formerly Uplands Community College) into the partnership with Beacon Academy. In September 2025, the Trust were delighted to welcome Hailsham Academy (formerly Hailsham Community College Academy Trust). Together, we are committed to building strong, cohesive teams dedicated to driving continuous improvement and innovation, ensuring our students thrive and our staff are empowered to deliver and develop with excellence.
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For further details, please contact the Human Resources department on 01892 782135 or email cburgess@uplands-academy.org [cburgess@uplands-academy.org]. Please be advised that we do not accept curriculum vitae.
MARK Education Trust (Beacon, Uplands and Hailsham Academies) is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. All offers of employment are subject to an Enhanced DBS check, and where applicable, a prohibition from teaching check will be completed for all applicants.
NB: we advise applying promptly for this post as we reserve the right to close and interview early if sufficient suitable applications have been received.
Additional Information
The Academy is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. All staff will be expected to hold or be willing to obtain an enhanced DBS check or Enhanced check for Regulated Activity with the Disclosure & Barring Services (previously the Criminal Records Bureau). For further information about what is required in this process please go to https://www.gov.uk/dbs-check-applicant-criminal-record.
All school based staff have the responsibility for promoting the safeguarding and welfare of children. All school staff should be aware of the school’s Child Protection and Safeguarding Policy and work in accordance with this document at all times.
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