Teaching Assistant

Position: Teaching Assistant
Type of School: Alternative Provision
Hours: 36 hours per week, between 8am and 4pm, term time only (plus INSET days)
Location: Harlow

Role Purpose and Dimensions: To work under the direct instruction of teaching/senior staff, usually in the classroom with the teacher, to support access to learning for pupils and provide general support to the teacher in the management of pupils and the classroom. Duties and responsibilities of the post may change over time as requirements and circumstances change. The person in the post may also be required to carry out other duties as may be necessary from time to time.

Commitment to Diversity: As a member of the School Team, take individual and collective professional responsibility for championing the Trust’s diversity agenda and proactively implementing initiatives that secure equality of access and outcomes. Commit to continually developing personal understanding of diversity.

Whilst there are some pupils with EHCPs in mainstream schools, the environment in a special school or alternative provision is far more intense and continuously presents a variety of both mentally and physically challenging situations for staff at all levels.

Support for Pupils:

• Supervising and supporting pupils, ensuring their safety and access to learning
• Establishing good relationships with pupils, acting as a role model, and responding appropriately to individual needs
• Encouraging pupils to interact with others and engage in activities led by the teacher

Additional Duties (Special Schools and Alternative Provision):

• Participating in students’ behaviour programmes including the risk assessment process
• Being aware of students’ Individual Education Plans (IEPs) and termly forecasts/learning programmes
• Dealing with unexpected situations, involving assessment, care, and evaluation in the management of individual pupils
• Attending to pupils’ personal needs and implementing related personal programmes, including social, health, physical, hygiene, first aid, and welfare matters

Support for the Teacher:

• Being aware of pupil problems/progress/achievements and reporting to the teacher as agreed
• Supporting the teacher in managing pupil behaviour, reporting difficulties as appropriate
• Preparing the classroom as directed for lessons and clearing afterward, assisting with the display of pupils’ work
• Undertaking pupil record-keeping as requested
• Providing clerical/administrative support, e.g. photocopying, typing, filing, collecting money

Support for the Curriculum:

• Supporting pupils with local and national learning strategies, e.g. literacy, numeracy, Key Stage curriculum, assessments, and exams
• Supporting pupils in using basic ICT
• Making themselves familiar with lesson objectives and supporting pupils to understand instructions
• Preparing and maintaining equipment/resources as directed by the teacher and assisting pupils in their use
• Having an awareness of the effect that pupils’ medical conditions can have on learning

Support for the School:

• Being aware of and complying with policies and procedures relating to child protection, health, safety, and security, confidentiality and data protection, and reporting all concerns to an appropriate person
• Supporting difference and ensuring all pupils have equal access to opportunities to learn and develop
• Contributing to the overall ethos/work/aims of the school
• Appreciating and supporting the role of other professionals
• Attending relevant multi-disciplinary staff meetings as required
• Participating in training, other learning activities, and performance development as required
• Assisting with the supervision of pupils out of lesson times, including before and after school and at lunchtimes
• Accompanying teaching staff and pupils on visits, trips, and out-of-school activities as required

If you are committed to making a difference and have the skills and experience we are looking for, we would love to hear from you! 

Safeguarding

Please be advised that this role requires a strong knowledge and understanding of safeguarding and child protection and that the successful applicant must satisfy all background safer recruitment checks including an enhanced DBS on the update service.

For more updates on the role, do not hesitate to contact Jessie Dowden or apply at (url removed)