SEN Teaching Assistant & MDSA
The Park Academies Trust are seeking an enthusiastic and flexible Teaching Assistant and MDSA to join Orchid Vale Primary School. This needs to be a person with experience of working with primary aged pupils with additional needs.
Level 3 qualification in childcare would be advantageous.
Hours 25 hours per week, Monday-Friday (20 hours Teaching Assistant and 5 hours MDSA)
Salary: TA - Trust grade 5-7 £24,983 - £25,600 - (£11,561 - £11,846 actual salary) - depending on experience
Salary: MDSA - £12.67 per hour and pro-rated
Starting date: as soon as possible
Job Purpose:
Under the direction of the Headteacher, Teacher or Special Education Needs & Disability Coordinator, work as part of a team to promote the emotional, physical and educational development of pupils, including those with special needs, and work in partnership with parents.
See Job Description for full details.
The Park Academies Trust
The Park Academies Trust was formed in 2016 with the vision to make a significant contribution to improving education in Swindon and surrounds.
A family of eight schools; Abbey Park School, Lydiard Park Academy, Highworth Warneford School, Orchid Vale Primary School, Red Oaks Primary School, Bridlewood Primary School, The Deanery CE Academy and Kingfisher CE Academy. The Trust offers a high quality all through educational provision from nursery right up to our Sixth Form based at Lydiard Park Academy, enabling staff and pupils alike to benefit from being part of a thriving multi-phase educational Trust.
The positive and caring ethos at all our schools is combined with a clear mission to deliver the richest possible education experience which enables young people to leave our care as responsible citizens equipped to fulfil their personal goals and career aspirations.
We are offering an exciting opportunity to develop your career by joining a Trust which truly values its staff and provides a highly supportive environment.
What we offer:
A positive and dynamic environment in a Trust which is growing in both size and success
A strong pupil ethos centred on mutual respect and fulfilling potential
Competitive salary
A variety of career progression opportunities within the Trust, including our own bespoke leadership programme
Support from dedicated and experienced colleagues across the Trust
Staff benefits package, including salary sacrifice affordable technology, cycle to work scheme, shopping and holiday discounts
Staff wellbeing: access to On Line Doctor, discounted gym membership, Employee Assistance Programme
Attractive pension scheme
Job Title: Teaching Assistant - Mainstream
Job Purpose:
Under the direction of the Head, teacher or Special Education Needs & Disability
Coordinator, work as part of a team to promote the emotional, physical and educational development of pupils, including those with special needs, and work in partnership with parents.
It cannot be stressed enough that this post involves work which can be of a highly confidential nature. It is essential that no school business is discussed outside the classroom.
Key Accountabilities:
Supporting the pupil
* Participate in activities designed to meet the emotional, physical and learning needs of individual children and groups of children, including those with special needs.
* Participate in the planning, delivery and monitoring of individual education plan targets.
* Monitor pupils' responses to learning activities and encourage them to take an interest in their own learning.
* Develop and maintain effective relationships with individual pupils and groups to ensure that pupils achieve learning targets.
* Support pupils in developing effective relationships with peers, younger pupils and adults, challenging anti-social behaviour e.g. racism.
* Help pupils to develop self-reliance and confidence in a range of areas including decision making, problem solving and general life skills, and deal in a positive way with their emotions.
* To support the children's needs but to give them space to work individually when appropriate.
* Working with individuals and groups, provide support for multilingual/ bilingual pupils and enable them to access the curriculum.
* Working with the class teacher, specialist teacher or SENDCo, support pupils with communication and interaction difficulties.
* Provide support to pupils with cognition and learning difficulties to develop effective learning strategies and support them working individually, as part of a group or with the whole class.
* To deal with minor medical problems and to clean and change children if necessary and where appropriate (please see Intimate Care and Good Practice Guidance).
Supporting the teacher
* When time allows, assist with the general organisation of the learning environment.
* Take responsibility for maintaining accurate records in accordance with school policies, data protection.
* Use a variety of methods to observe and report on pupil performance in group and individual situations.
* To help create a productive learning environment; ensuring the teacher's expectations are mirrored. Communication between the teacher and TA should also be in a quiet manner and should not take place across the classroom.
* Assist with the implementation of individual behaviour management plans.
* When directed, communicate with parents and other designated carers about the care and education of their children. Promote partnership working between home and school and help to develop and maintain parental interest in their child's education.
Supporting the curriculum
* Assist in the planning, delivery and evaluation of learning activities for individuals, groups or the whole class, working with the teacher or SENDCo to ensure coverage of the curriculum and delivery through differentiated tasks.
* Follow the school policies and procedures as directed and attend relevant training as required.
Supporting the school
* Assist with the implementation of the Behaviour and Learning Charter.
* Provide consistent and effective support for colleagues in line with the responsibilities of this role.
* Develop and maintain effective working relationships with professionals including teachers and external contacts.
* Support the development and effectiveness of work teams in all areas of activity with pupils or colleagues.
* Support the maintenance of pupil safety and security and minimise the risks from health emergencies.
* Cover the teacher for short periods either using teacher plans or one-off lesson plans if required.
* Undertake playground duties as directed.
TAs should be in the classroom preparing themselves at least 5 minutes before their contractual time officially begins.
Safeguarding and Child Protection
* Follow the procedures for Safeguarding and Child Protection as set out in the Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy. All staff are expected to record any safeguarding and behaviour concerns on CPOMs so that this will alert a member of the Safeguarding team.
* Report concerns about a child's safety or welfare to the Designated Safeguarding Lead or one the Deputy Safeguarding Leads as soon as possible.
* Maintain confidentiality about children and families at all times and share information on a strictly need to know basis.
* Report to the Principal if there is a concern about an adult or volunteer working in school, or to the Executive Primary Principal if the concern is about the Principal.
Working in the Trust
* Work towards and support the Trust vision and values, including Improvement Plans.
* Liaise with central functions such as HR, IT and Finance where specialist advice is required.
* Take a Trust view of any work carried out in the school, to ensure this follows central standards
No job description can be exhaustive and the post holder is expected to undertake any other duties that can be accommodated within the grading level and nature of this post.
Other Accountabilities
* In accordance with the provisions of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, to take reasonable care for the health and safety of yourself, colleagues and pupils who may be affected by your omissions at work, and to co-operate with the school so far as is necessary to enable the school to perform or comply with their duties under statutory health and safety provisions.
* Be an active and supportive member of the school team.
* Participate in regular Professional Development reviews to ensure that any personal development needs are identified and met. Attend relevant Inset training.
* Adhere to the Staff Code of Conduct at all times.
* It is advised that TAs should join a recognised trade union in order to safeguard their professional wellbeing.
Knowledge and Experience:
Please see the person specification (Appendix A)
Contacts and Relationships:
* Trust Management and all school employees
* Local Authority representatives
* Public, Parents and potential parents
* External organisations
Job Title: Mid-Day Supervisory Assistant
Role reports to: Principal – day to day work will be directed by school staff
Job Purpose:
To assist in the supervision of pupils during the lunch break, as required to ensure the safety, general welfare and behaviour management of pupils during this period.
Key Accountabilities:
* To be responsible for the supervision of all pupil behaviour during the lunch break, in the playground, or other areas of the school as required by the Principal.
* To share in school ethos of promoting a positive approach to behaviour management
* To be responsible for the pupil's care as necessary, depending on Key Stage e.g., taking them to the toilet, providing comfort, dealing with accidents, being alert to signs that a pupil is unwell or distressed.
* To be responsible for the supervision of pupil hygiene and health and safety e.g., hand washing.
* To foster pupils' self-esteem and independence, however assisting pupils where necessary, for example
* to carry trays etc to the table, and to return empty dishes etc to the service counter.
* to open packed lunches, cut up food and guidance on proper use of cutlery, assist in clearance of any spillage etc if required
* To assist as required in clearing tables, wiping them down and resetting according to meals.
* To assist in the setting up and removing of furniture for lunch time in any area of the school as required.
* To give minor first aid to pupils, requesting assistance when needed with injuries or illness. Liaising with the Principal or Business Manager on welfare matters and injuries that cause concern. To report all accidents, ensuring that the procedure for recording accidents in the accident book is followed.
Knowledge and Experience:
* A basic level of literacy and numeracy.
* Ability to communicate clearly and work as part of team.
* Be aware of and comply with policies and procedures relating to child protection, health, safety and security and confidentiality, reporting all concerns to an appropriate person.
Contacts and Relationships:
Principal, Staff and Pupils.
In accordance with the provisions of GDPR, jobholders should take reasonable care to ensure that personal data is not disclosed outside the Trust procedures, or use personal data held on others for their own purposes. In accordance with the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act 2000, ensure requests for non-personal information are dealt with in accordance with the Trust's written procedures.
This organisation is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff to share this commitment. Staff must work in accordance with the Child Protection/Safeguarding Policy and understand their role within that Policy.
Job Types: Part-time, Permanent
Pay: £24,983.00-£25,600.00 per year
Expected hours: 25 per week
Benefits:
* Company pension
* On-site parking
Work Location: In person