About SPARK Schools

About SPARK Schools 

SPARK Schools is a social impact disruptor and is leading change in the education space through its network of affordable private schools. The SPARK Schools network provides transformational education innovation through Africa’s first blended learning model, which elevates student achievement and provides the tools teachers need to serve their scholars effectively. 

The personalized model, which combines direct, peer collaboration and online instruction, allows educators to evaluate the needs of scholars and equips schools to provide personalized pathway instruction at an affordable cost. SPARK Schools is pioneering this transformative education model to ensure the accessibility of university and careers for all. 

SPARK Schools is a high growth, mission and values-driven entrepreneurial organisation, operating 21 primary schools and 5 high schools and serving over 17, 000 families in 2026. We are looking for dynamic people to join our team.

Reports To: CoE Manager / Head of Professional Development 

On-site reporting: Centre of Excellence (Support Office) - permanent placement, not deployed to schools

Purpose of Role:

Locum Teaching Assistant- Primary School

SPARK Schools teachers drive scholar achievement by maintaining high expectations for classroom culture,

behavior and academic growth for all scholars. A SPARK Schools Locum Generalist Educator is a versatile,

mission-driven professional who is deployed across primary contexts to maintain instructional continuity

during planned and unplanned staff absences. This role requires the ability to teach across multiple

subjects and grade levels with confidence, adapt to different school cultures quickly and hold high

expectations for scholar behaviour and achievement from the first moment of deployment.

• The Locum Educator is not assigned to a single school. They are a network asset, allocated by the Support Office based on real-time needs across the portfolio.
• Deployment may be same-day, next-day, or advance-planned. The educator must be prepared to travel to any school in the network at short notice.
• This role sits within the Centre of Excellence pipeline and may transition into a permanent school-based role upon mutual agreement.
• This is not a passive cover role. The Locum Generalist Educator is expected to deliver prepared lesson plans, manage classrooms with authority and care and integrate into the existing school team as a functional, contributing member — even on short-term engagements.

Instructional Delivery 

• Step into the classroom and deliver prepared or self-developed lesson plans and the school’s instructional model
• Maintain behavioural expectations, routines and culture from the first period of the first day
• Use available learning materials, platforms and resources to deliver engaging, rigorous instruction across assigned subjects
• Provide personalized learning facilitation support in the experience labs or online instruction setting when required
• Support co-teaching arrangements with permanent staff where applicable
• Develop and administer formative and termly assessments to track student progress and analyse the data for student growth for all scholars to meet the required proficiency ratings.
• Facilitate academic, clubs, and enrichment lessons aligned to the curriculum and SPARK’s pedagogical standards.
• Participate in place-based education and implement SPARK Schools curriculum enrichment activities.
• Teaching through Project Based Learning
• Personalising teaching through data driven decisions
• Differentiated instruction driven by technology
• Facilitate coding and robotics lessons and any other experience slots

School Community & Operations 

• Attend morning huddles, team meetings and any other school-based gatherings as directed by school leadership 
• Communicate professionally with school staff, scholars and parents in line with school protocols • Submit attendance registers, lesson records and any required data as specified by the school • Adhere to the school’s child protection, anti-bullying, health and safety policies at all times • Participate in Saturday events, parent community meetings or school open days as required • Lead scholar social and emotional development through CQ (Character Quotient) sessions and reflections. 
• Report all damages to hardware to the School Operations Manager and fill out relevant incident reports if needed. 
• Hold individualised intervention sessions for scholars who need extra support in subjects • Nurture a high achieving work environment where all scholars feel genuinely valued and supported. 

Professional Development & Centre of Excellence 

• Complete all pre-placement trainings and orientation sessions delivered by the Centre of Excellence before deployment 
• Attend professional development sessions and training on weekdays, weekends or school holidays, if applicable. 
• Attend scheduled professional development sessions during placement periods as directed • Actively engage with feedback from school leaders and CoE coaches and implement changes promptly 
• Demonstrate a growth mindset and a willingness to be trained across different school models and grade phases 
• Be trained progressively across all school contexts in the portfolio — building a deep understanding of each school’s culture, instructional model, and scholar population so that each deployment is more effective than the last 
• Attend all scheduled CoE professional development sessions, workshops, and learning sprints during non-deployment periods 

Mobility, Deployment & Logistics 

• The Locum Teacher Assistant's effectiveness is directly dependent on their ability to be where they are needed, when they are needed — without logistical constraints becoming an obstacle to the school network. 
• Transport Requirements 
• Must own or have reliable, exclusive access to a roadworthy private motor vehicle
• Must be willing and able to travel to any school within the network’s portfolio, including schools located across different districts and municipalities 
• Must be available to travel at short notice. Same-morning deployment notifications are standard and the educator must be ready to arrive at an assigned school within a reasonable travel window 
• Must factor commute time into their own availability planning and communicate any travel constraints to the Support Office proactively, not reactively 

Deployment Flexibility 

• Available with deployments ranging from a single day to an extended multi-week placement 
• Prepared to step into any role at or at the level of educator, including: classroom teacher, blended learning facilitator, co-teacher, small group tutor, experience lab TA, homework support facilitator or exam invigilator 

Requirements

Qualifications and experience:

The ideal candidate will possess the following qualifications: 

• Professional proficiency in English
• 1st year/ 2nd year studying towards B.Ed. or PGCE degree
• SACE registration
• Clear criminal record

Qualities:

• Grit: Persistence and composure through the challenges of a fast-paced, changing environment
• Flexibility: Genuine willingness to work across different schools, subjects, grade levels, and roles
• Nurturing and gentle
• Agile
• Encouraging and joyful
• Play-based and creative
• Patient and simple
• Warm and cheerful
• Coach-like
• Consistent and reliable
• Excellence: A track record of high personal and professional standards
• Mission Alignment: A deep belief in the transformative power of quality education for every scholar
• Self-Reflection: Ability to receive and implement feedback without defensiveness
• Collaboration: A team-first orientation that places scholar outcomes above personal comfort or preference
• Tech-readiness: Comfort with digital platforms, learning management systems, and educational technology

Values: Service, Persistence, Achievement, Responsibility, Kindness

Benefits

SPARK offers:

• fair market linked remuneration

• performance-based annual bonuses and increases

• above average/good annual leave

• life, disability and funeral cover

• employee wellness support

• educational support & study leave

• individualised professional development, support and mentorship

• employee discount on school fees

• opportunities for career growth

Compensation: Market Related

Locations: Gauteng

• SPARK Support Office

Position Type: Full Time

SPARK schools is an equal opportunities employer and preference will be given to candidates from designated groups with due consideration of the company’s Employment Equity goals and targets.

SPARK schools encourages persons with disabilities to apply.

SPARK Schools may expire the posting of this advertisement at their own discretion.

Kindly note that should you have not heard from us within two weeks of the closing date please consider your application unsuccessful.