32.5 hours a week term time only (39 weeks). Pro rata salary - £14,368 to £18,459 (Grade 3).

Job Purpose:

To support teaching staff in the development and education of pupils including the provision of specialist skills as appropriate. This level is applicable to experienced teaching assistants whose working role calls for competence across a varied range of responsibilities.

The successful candidate will also work elsewhere around the School as required, within the Learning Support Department providing more general support to children with Special Educational Needs. The requirement for specific support within the Foundation Learning Tier Dept will vary from year to year.

Duties and responsibilities:

Support for pupils (either individually or in groups):

Support the activities of individuals or groups (normally up to 8).

Establish and maintain relationships with individual pupils and groups.

Contribute to Individual Education Plans as appropriate.

Support pupils during learning activities, providing instruction under the guidance of the teacher.

Promote pupils’ social and emotional development.

Contribute to the health and well being of pupils.

Provide support for bilingual/multilingual pupils (where appropriate to the focus of the role).

Support children with specific needs (where appropriate to the focus of the role), for example, sensory and/or physical impairment, cognitive or learning difficulties, behavioural, emotional and social development needs, communication and interaction difficulties.

Support pupils with literacy and numeracy skills.

Support pupils to access the curriculum.

Support for the teacher(s):

Observe and report on pupil performance.

Contribute to the planning and evaluation of learning activities.

Assist in preparing and maintaining the learning environment.

Contribute to the management of pupils’ behaviour.

Contribute to maintaining pupils’ records.

Support the maintenance of pupils’ safety and security.

Supervise the whole class for a short time in an emergency (normally for a period less than a whole lesson until the teacher returns or alternative arrangements are made) or for a very short period of planned absence for less than a whole lesson.

Provide general administrative support, for example, administer coursework, produce worksheets etc.

Undertake more complex marking of pupils’ work in line with school policy.

Undertake joint home visits as appropriate and in line with LEA policy.

Support for the school:

Support the development and effectiveness of team work within the school environment.

Develop and maintain working relationships with other professionals.

Liase with parents as appropriate.

Review and develop own professional practice.

Support for the curriculum:

Support the use of information and communication technology in the classroom.

All staff working in the school have a duty to safeguard and promote the health, safety and welfare of all children and young people for whom they are responsible or with whom they come into contact in the course of their duties.

To undertake any other duties commensurate with the seniority of the post at the request of the Headteacher.

Within the grade and job description of each level the exact focus of the role will be decided at school level and will take into account the needs of the school as well as the experience and development needs of the member of staff.

For more details on the School and the Department, see the School´s website. Of particular interest are:

the Home Page which includes links to the full colour PROSPECTUS and to the SCHOOL VIDEO in which staff and pupils talk about what makes the School special to them.

the Head´s Statement

the Newsroom in which you can read more than 50 good news stories from the last year.

An appropriate qualification for classroom assistants at NVQ level 3 or equivalent experience.

A good standard of secondary education.

The ability to work with 11 – 16 year olds on a one to one basis or in groups. Previous experience as a Teaching Assistant is desirable.

The ability to listen, empathise and adopt responses and strategies which are likely to meet the particular child’s needs.

Strong communication skills.

The ability to build good relationships based on mutual respect with young people and to positively influence their behaviour.

A good understanding of the role of those working in child care settings with regard to promoting and safeguarding the welfare of young people and a clear commitment to acting at all times in the best interests of the health, safety and welfare of young people.

All candidates newly appointed to the School’s staff will be required to undertake an enhanced Criminal Records Bureau check and any offer of appointment will be conditional upon appropriate clearance being obtained.