The Academy reopens for teaching on Thursday 03 September 2026 for all students
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.
Site Assistant
Required ASAP
Email: kingjames@kj1a.com
Headteacher: Mr S Whitehead BA NPQH
Number on Roll: 950
37 Hours per Week / Full-Time / Whole-Time Contract
Grade D, Point 7 - 12
£27,274 - £29,542
Must be flexible and able to work over school holidays.
An exciting opportunity has arisen for a well organised, flexible and hardworking Site Assistant to join our team.
You will assist in the overall maintenance and security of the Academy buildings by carrying out general caretaking duties.
We are looking to appoint an enthusiastic and efficient Site Assistant who possesses:
- At least 1 year of practical experience in building maintenance, heating, ventilating, electrical or similar work.
- Experience in the application of Health and Safety legislation.
- The ability to respond to changing priorities. The successful candidate will also be flexible and be available to support the Academy by working over school holidays.
- The ability to work as part of a team as well as on their own and be able to prioritise own workload.
- The ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing to other school staff.
This is an exciting time to join King James I Academy as we continue on our journey to excellence and work together in our state-of-the-art buildings.
Working at King James I Academy will provide the opportunity to join a dedicated team of staff 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 local, and global community.
After another year of good results, we are building upon our success in 2026/7. Students and staff alike are working hard to ensure that our students achieve their best possible outcomes.
Our excellent teaching and support staff help students to achieve strong outcomes and to follow a varied and challenging curriculum. Students in our Sixth Form in 2026 achieved very positive progress and have now moved on to University or into Training.
Our success has attracted an ever-increasing number of students to our school and we have, once again, received more applications for our new Year 7 cohort in September 2026 than we have places.
Closing Date: 12:00pm Monday 14 September 2026
Please complete the application below or ring or email the Academy for an application pack. 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.
Eden Learning Trust is an Equal Opportunities Employer. We want to develop a more diverse workforce and we positively welcome applications from all sections of the community.
Social Media:
