Support Staff Vacancies
Student Support Worker
Required for November 2026
Grade F SCP 18 – 23
Term Time + 5 Days
£28,877 - £31,530 (Actual Salary)
Email: kingjames@kj1a.com
Headteacher: Mr S Whitehead BA NPQH
Number on Roll: 964
KJIA is an 11-18 Academy located in the centre of Bishop Auckland; a market town surrounded by the Durham Dales, a short journey from the coast, and with excellent transport links via road and rail to other major regional towns and cities, including Durham, Darlington, Newcastle and Sunderland.
We are seeking to appoint an inspirational, professional Student Support Worker from November 2026. This non-teaching role would suit an individual who is able to provide appropriate academic, behavioural and pastoral support for students as well as build effective, positive relationships with students. The successful candidate will operate as part of a team of Student Support Workers who excel in promoting positive attitudes and behaviour at all times. Close liaison with Senior Leaders and other members of the Academy’s pastoral team is a key part of this role.
Working at King James I Academy will provide the opportunity to join a dedicated and highly valued team of staff who are “proud to work at the school” (Ofsted 2026), and whose mission is to become an outstanding academy that develops successful, well rounded, socially mobile and confident young people who can contribute effectively to the global community.
Our excellent teaching and support staff help students to achieve positive progress and to follow a varied and challenging curriculum. Students in Year 11 have achieved consistently strong results over time, whilst our Sixth Form in 2026 achieved very strong outcomes and all have now moved on to University, Training or employment.
The school joined the Eden Learning Trust in December 2023, having previously benefitted from the PSBP programme; enabling a move to state-of-the-art facilities. Student recruitment is consistently strong and the Academy has been oversubscribed in Year 7 for each of the last 7 years with KS5 numbers also increasing. The Academy was inspected by Ofsted in March 2026 and was judged as being either Strong or at the Expected Standard in all areas.
The successful candidate will be supported through a bespoke and individually tailored induction programme as well as being given opportunities and support for further career and professional development. Training will also take place ‘on the job’, under the supervision and instruction of high-quality, experienced staff.
Closing Date: 12:00pm Friday 25 September 2026
Interviews: Week Commencing Monday 28 September 2026
Please find the application pack below. If you would like to arrange an informal visit please contact Karen Sams at (kingjames@kj1a.com) or telephone 01388 603388.
The Academy is committed to safeguarding children. All candidates will need to demonstrate a commitment to the welfare and safety of children and young people. Any offer of employment will be conditional upon receipt of two supportive references and the successful completion of pre-employment checks. An application to the Disclosure and Barring Service will be submitted when the successful candidate has accepted the position.
Please visit the Disclosure and Barring Service Code of Practice for further information:
This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (ROA) 1974. All criminal convictions must be stated, with dates, on the application form. Failure to do so will disqualify the candidate from the appointment and, if appointed, may render the individual liable to immediate dismissal without notice.
King James I Academy is an Equal Opportunities Employer. We want to develop a more diverse workforce and we positively welcome applications from all sections of the community.
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