DescriptionSupporting documentsEmployerLocation
Job Description:Teaching Assistant - 4 positions available
Grade: 5 SCP 11 - 17 - ACTUAL - £21,238.24 - £23,411.73
Responsible to: Classroom Teacher/Tutor/Head of Department
Hours of Work: Term Time Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday – Including 5 inset days. 32.5hr per week
Monday 8:30 - 3:00
Tuesday: 8:30 – 3:00
Wednesday: 8:30 – 4:30
Thursday: 8:30 – 3:00
Friday: 8:30 - 2:40
Job Purpose
To work under the guidance of teaching/senior staff & within an agreed system of supervision, to implement agreed work programmes with individuals/groups, in or out of the classroom. This could include those requiring detailed and specialist knowledge in particular areas & will involve assisting the teacher or SENCo in the whole planning cycle and the management/preparation of resources. Staff may also supervise whole classes occasionally during the short-term absence of teachers. When supervising whole classes, the primary focus will be to maintain good order, to keep pupils on task, respond to questions & assist pupils to undertake set learning activities.
Main Duties & Responsibilities
Support for Pupils
1. Attend to the pupils’ personal needs, and implement related personal programmes, including social, health, physical, hygiene, first aid and welfare matters, as appropriate
2. Supervise & support pupils ensuring their safety and access to learning
3. Develop a good knowledge of pupils’ individual special educational needs and implement appropriate strategies as outlined on the students’ profile
4. Use specialist (curricular/learning) skills/training/experience to support pupils
5. Assist with the development of student profiles, target action plans and individual intervention plans
6. Establish constructive working relationships with pupils, acting as a role model and setting high expectations
7. Promote the inclusion and acceptance of all pupils
8. Support pupils consistently whilst recognising and responding to their individual needs
9. Encourage pupils to interact and work co-operatively with others and engage all pupils in activities
10. Set challenging and demanding expectations and promote self-esteem and independence
11. Employ strategies to recognise and reward achievement of self-reliance
12. Provide feedback to pupils in relation to progress and achievement
13. To provide pastoral support for pupils, within an agreed system of supervision
Support For Teacher
14. Work with the teacher to establish an appropriate learning environment
15. Work with the teacher in lesson planning, evaluating and adjusting lessons/work plans as appropriate
16. Monitor and evaluate pupils’ responses to learning activities through observation and planned recording of achievement against pre-determined learning objectives
17. Provide objective and accurate feedback and reports as required, to the teacher on pupil achievement, progress and other matters, ensuring the availability of appropriate evidence
18. Be responsible for keeping and updating records as agreed with the teacher, contributing to reviews of systems/records as requested
19. Undertake marking of pupils’ work and accurately record achievement/progress
20. Promote positive values, attitudes and good pupil behaviour, dealing promptly with conflict and incidents in line with established policy and encourage pupils to take responsibility for their own behaviour
21. Liaise sensitively and effectively with parents/carers as agreed with the teacher within your role/responsibility and participate in feedback sessions/meetings with parents with, or as directed
22. Administer and assess routine tests and invigilate exams/tests
23. Provide general clerical/admin support e.g. administer coursework, produce worksheets for agreed activities etc
24. Supervise whole classes including tutor groups occasionally, during the short term absence of the teacher or tutor, register students, delivering set activities and maintaining good order
25. Support the role of the tutor, including the delivery of small group activities or mentoring within an agreed system of supervision
Support for the Curriculum
26. Implement agreed learning activities/teaching programmes including 1:1 and small group interventions adjusting activities according to pupil responses/needs
27. Implement local and national learning strategies
28. Support the use of ICT in learning activities and develop pupils’ competence and independence in its use
29. Help pupils to access learning activities through specialist support
30. Determine the need for, prepare and maintain general and specialist equipment and resources
31. To attend all department meetings and relevant staff meetings
32. To attend all training courses as directed
33. To participate in the School’s Performance Management Review process and make use of professional development opportunities
34. To play an active and positive role
35. To familiarise yourself with the working practices of the Department and adhere to them at all times
36. To maintain confidentiality according to organisation and legal requirements
37. To be aware of equal opportunities policies and principles and health & safety regulations
38. The postholder will be expected to contribute to the protection of children as appropriate, in accordance with any agreed policies & guidelines,reporting any issues or concerns to their immediate line manager
39. To undertake other duties that can be reasonably expected of and are relevant to the level and nature of the post
This job description only contains the main accountabilities relating to the posts and does not describe in detail all of the duties required to carry them out
Physical Effort & Working Environment
40. The postholder will be expected to undertake bending,stretching and lifting in the course of their duties e.g. preparing the classroom,displaying pupils work,assist pupils during lesson times,engaging in activities led by the teacher.There may be an increased level of physical effort required for children with personal or specialist needs
41. During occasional periods of supervision there will be an expectation that the postholder will be exposed to heat & cold which on occasions,for example adverse weather conditions,may be higher than normal
Personal Specification
Essential
42. Evidence of a good basic education, especially in English and Maths
43. A friendly and courteous manner
44. The ability to plan & implementing effective actions for pupils at risk of underachieving (under the guidance of teaching/senior staff and within an agreed system of supervision)
45. Ability to relate well to both children and adults
46. A relevant,recognised qualification such as the NVQ Level 3 for Teaching Assistants,Level 3 Diploma in Child Care and Education,NVQ Level 3 Childcare in Education,City and Guilds Advanced Certificate in Learning Support (A relevant professional qualification e.g. Teaching,Social Work or Nursing would be treated as equivalent for these purposes.) or the post holder should have HLTA status.A minimum of 2 years recent,relevant experience, which demonstrates the postholder,has applied a wide range of strategies supporting children and successful experience of delivering education programmes over a longer period,e.g. 6 – 8 weeks,with minimum supervision only
47. Understanding of principles of child development and learning processes and in particular, barriers to learning
48. Basic understanding and use of technology ie Microsoft Office, Internet, email, use of photocopiers etc
49. Evidence of working constructively as part of a team, understanding classroom roles and responsibilities and your own position within these
50. Training in the relevant strategies e.g. literacy or numeracy or in particular curriculum or learning area e.g. bi-lingual, sign language, dyslexia, ICT, maths, English, CACHE (Council for Awards in Children’s Care and Education) etc
51. Ability to self-evaluate learning needs and actively seek learning opportunities
Desirable
52. Appropriate knowledge of general first aid
53. General understanding of national/foundation stage curriculum and other basic learning programmes/strategies/codes of practice
Applications can close early if suitable candidate is found
Safeguarding Statement
Soundwell Academy is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, and applicants must be willing to undergo child protection screening appropriate to the post, including checks with past employers, Gaps in employment checks and the Disclosure and Barring Service.