Vacancies

Catalyst Academies Trust - Governance Manager

Nursery Lead

Pay Range: TLW 4-10

We are looking for a valuable new Nursery Lead to join our EYFS team: a fantastic opportunity for someone who is genuinely motivated by the desire to make a positive difference to pupils’ lives.

We require a passionate and committed individual who is an enthusiastic, calm person who will be able to support pupils’ learning and development in collaboration with other teachers and support staff. A willingness to learn, coupled with good interpersonal skills and a desire to make a difference in the lives of children are the main attributes required. EYFS childcare qualifications of level 3 or above are also required.

The successful candidate will work alongside the teacher to lead a team of EYFS practitioners, plan activities, liaise with parents regarding new intakes, provide general class support and be a named key worker within our Nursery setting (3-4 years).

The successful candidate will:

• Be committed to our schools’ ethos of positivity

• Enjoy working hard within a supportive network of professionals

• Be able to challenge and motivate all children to succeed

• Have a love of learning and be committed to their own development

• Be an adaptable team player with a good sense of humour

• Have a good understanding of teaching systematics phonics

In return we offer:

• Excellent professional development opportunities

• A supportive and friendly community

• Outstanding, collaborative partnerships with other local schools

• Recognition of continuous service

• An employees assistance programme

• Access to our "Catalyst Employee Perks" platform where you will be able to access a range of discounts from regular supermarkets, numerous retailers, family days out, restaurants and more.

Visits to the school are both positively encouraged and warmly welcomed. Also, you are very welcome to have an informal, confidential discussion with Sinéad Viner, our Head of School about this vacancy. Please contact the school on 01708 847777 or email admin.aps@catrust.org.uk to arrange these. Application packs are available on our school website, www.aveleyprimary.org.uk in our latest news section. Application forms should be sent direct to the school to admin.aps@catrust.org.uk.

Start date: 1st February 2026

Closing Date: 15th December 2025

Interview Date: 17th December 2025

Autism Resource Centre Lead

Would you like to join us on an exciting new adventure? Are you passionate about children achieving their full potential whatever their level of need?

In 2022, Aveley Primary was selected to open a new resource centre for children with Autism in Thurrock. The need for specialist places in the area has grown, and we now are full with 10 places allocated. We are looking for an experienced teacher to lead the resource centre, who will be ably supported by the SENCo and the leadership team.

The successful candidate will lead the centre with the support of dedicated support staff to meet the individual needs of the children.Staff who work in the centre will have ongoing support and training. The children will spend most of their time within the centre but will join the mainstream classes as appropriate.

There will be a teacher and dedicated support staff to meet the individual needs of the children.

The key responsibilities for the post are to:

lead, develop and oversee the day-to-day operation of the Autism Resource Centre;
co-ordinate provision for children with EHCPs
liaise with the SENCo and support staff working in the centre, modelling good practice;
ensure records are accurate, up-to-date and effective;
work with parents to ensure they are well supported, and children make progress;
liaise with external agencies, such as educational psychology services, health and social services and voluntary bodies.

Our ideal candidate will be:

Energetic, enthusiastic with an optimistic outlook and solution focussed approach
Have a passion and commitment to the achievement and success of all learners, through a holistic approach to the education of each child.
An excellent teacher who leads by example and is able to lead support staff effectively
An excellent communicator with children, colleagues, governors and parents

Aveley Primary can offer:

Friendly and supportive staff who work together to achieve the best for our children.
Fantastic children
Opportunities to work with colleagues across Catalyst Academies Trust who have experience in leading resource centres
We offer recruitment incentives (up to £1,000), retention bonuses for every completed year of service, 2 week May and October half term and enrolment into an employee discount scheme

We hope you consider this opportunity as exciting as we do. We would be delighted to hear from experienced teachers who have experience and understanding of working with children with Autism.

Closing date: 9th January 2026
Shortlisting: 9th January 2026
Interviews: 14th January 2026

Informal visits are welcomed, please contact the Headteacher, Sinéad Viner via admin.aps@catrust.org.uk

Learning Support Assistant

BAND 2 (Range 6-10)

32.5 hrs per week term time.

Do you believe that all children with ASC should be supported to achieve their full potential? If so, this opportunity could be the one for you!

We are looking for an experienced, enthusiastic and caring learning support assistant with a ‘can do’ attitude to join our friendly, supportive team from 5^th January 2026.

The position involves working with children who have a diagnosis of ASC or social communication needs within the school’s ASC Resource Centre (ARC) who require specialist support. The children’s needs may include:

Social Communication Needs
Speech and Language needs
Social skills needs
Behaviour needs
Cognition and Learning needs
Sensory needs
Physical needs

You will be required to support the children within the ARC, following a curriculum, assessment system and strategies advised by a range of professionals, as well as delivering specific interventions.

The successful candidate must have a minimum qualification of GCSE Grade C or equivalent in Maths and English. Experience of supporting children with ASC would be an advantage.

Aveley Primary School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. All appointments are subject to a DBS check, medical clearance and satisfactory references.

Visits to the school, can be arranged following current guidance. Alternatively, we will happily organise a call if you’d like an informal chat with the Head of School or Deputy Headteacher. Please contact us on admin.aps@catrust.org.uk

Please visit our website (aveleyprimary.org.uk) for full application details and an application form.

Closing date: 9th January 2026
Shortlisting: 9th January 2026
Interviews: 14th January 2026

We reserve the right to close the vacancy early so recommend that you submit your application at your earliest convenience.

Lead Teacher

Start date: April 2026 (possibility to be earlier for the right candidate)

Salary: TMS 1 – 6, depending on experience + TLR

Location: Aveley, South Ockendon, Essex

We are currently looking for an exceptional Lead Class Teacher to join our middle leadership team at Catalyst Aveley Primary. We are a Good school (Ofsted -June 2023), and part of Catalyst Academies Trust, a small, local trust and one of the highest performing in the country.

We are seeking a dedicated and ambitious individual to develop as a middle leader and take the next step by leading a year group. Along with other members of the middle leadership team, the Lead Teacher will be responsible for raising standards, mentoring students, planning with the Trust and supporting early career teachers and helping establish a culture that is nurturing and rigorous.

Our ideal candidate will be an outstanding teacher and a strategic leader with a resilient character and a strong personal drive with sound knowledge of the primary curriculum.

The ideal candidate will also:

Have experience in leading

Have proven experience of positively impacting on student progress, raising attainment and developing excellence

Be fully committed to Aveley Primary's ethos of high expectations

Have the drive to make a real difference to the lives of pupils

In return Aveley Primary can offer you:

Well behaved children who are keen to learn and achieve their full potential

Excellent professional development and opportunities for career development within the trust (many senior leaders in the trust have gained promotion within the trust)

A hardworking team who are committed to providing an outstanding education to all children, no matter what their background or needs

A £1,000 Catalyst welcome payment for successful candidates if you are appointed through a direct application to a Catalyst school

Retention bonuses are paid every year.

You will also be added to our "Catalyst Employee Perks" platform, where you will be able to access a range of discounts from regular supermarkets, numerous retailers, family days out, restaurants and more.

Closing Date: 29.01.2026 - 9am

Interviews: W/C 02.02.2026

Please note that should we receive sufficient applications, we reserve the right to close the vacancy early.

Informal visits are warmly welcomed, please contact Michelle Pointer on 01708 865868 or email admin.aps@catrust.org.uk to arrange a visit.

We are committed to safeguarding and protecting the welfare of children and expect staff and volunteers to share this commitment. We follow safer recruitment practices and all appointments are subject to satisfactory references, pre-employment health check and a successful enhanced DBS.

Teaching Assistant Apprenticeships- September 2026

Do you see yourself training in one of our amazing schools?

Catalyst Academies Trust has an exciting opportunity for anyone interested in becoming a Teaching Assistant Apprentice. We are going to be working with Chelmsford College to offer a TA apprenticeship programme.

You would be employed for the two-year programme and the resulting apprentice qualification could be the stepping stone to training as a teacher, or you could be employed as a highly trained TA.

Apprentices are paid for 5 days of the school week but would train for one day. Off the job training will take place locally, so you will not need to travel.

If you are currently doing your GCSEs or just interested in this role, please pop into the school office or email andrea.parfett@catrust.org.uk for more information. We are offering this to any age group.

CAT Application Form

mat-application-form-sept-2023-1 (2).docx