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Teaching Assistant - Qualified/Unqualified

Cheltenham

Balcarras School, part of the Balcarras Trust is looking to appoint an enthusiastic teaching assistant to join our excellent team.

You will work in a large team supporting our children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).  Full training will be given to the right applicant and relevant experience / qualifications to carry out the role will be considered.

You will assist in the educational and social development of young people at an important stage in their lives. You must have a caring demeanour, good communication skills, and be able to work flexibly with fellow professionals to support the inclusion of pupils with special educational needs, including students with physical disabilities.

Ofsted assessed Balcarras in 2005, 2009 and 2014 as “Outstanding” in every category.

The Balcarras Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.  This role will involve regulated activity with children. We particularly welcome applications from underrepresented groups including ethnicity, gender, transgender, age, disability, sexual orientation or religion. Please also read the Recruitment Selection and Disclosure Policy within “How to apply” which includes our policy on recruiting ex-offenders. All posts are subject to an enhanced DBS check and receipt of two satisfactory references.

HOURS: 5 hours per day days per week, term time only worked over 5 days 9 am - 3.35 pm

25 hours per week- Monday to Friday + 5 INSETS

There maybe an opportunity to take on additional paid duties at break and/or lunch time.

Part-time applications will be considered.

RESPONSIBLE TO: SENDCo / Assistant SENDCo

GRADE: Unqualified Grade 3-4  £13,435.08 actual salary (FTE £22,737)

Qualified Grade 6-8  £14,118.15 actual salary (FTE £23,893)

GENERAL INFORMATION:

Balcarras School is committed to creating a diverse workforce. We will consider all qualified applicants for employment without regard to sex, race, religion, belief, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, pregnancy, maternity, age, disability, marriage or civil partnership.

MAIN PURPOSE:

To work under the guidance/instruction of teaching staff to provide learning and care support for individual pupils with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) to help work towards the outcomes on their education and health care plan (EHCP).

A Teaching Assistant will:

Þ Work with class teachers to raise the learning and attainment of all pupils, working with individual pupil or in small groups.

Þ Promote pupils’ independence, self-esteem and social inclusion.

Þ Give support to pupils, individually or in groups, so they can access the curriculum, take part in learning, and experience a sense of achievement.

Þ Work with teachers to plan and deliver activities inside and outside of the classroom.

Þ Support pupils with routines, transitions and behaviour management.

MAIN DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

Supporting pupils

Þ Build a positive relationship with the pupil, treating each pupil with consistency and respect, promoting high self-esteem, independence and social inclusion.

Þ Adapt communication style to respond to pupils according to their individual needs, including adaptations needed to support pupils in recording their work.

Þ Support pupils with their social, emotional and mental health needs, escalating concerns where appropriate.

Þ Promote high standards of behaviour, responding to incidents in line with the school’s behaviour policy.

Þ Assist with the development and delivery of individual education and support plans.

Þ Escort pupils on educational visits.

Þ Build and maintain close and secure relationships with pupils, attending to and ensuring the case, health and welfare of children at all times.

Þ Supervise pupils for limited and specified periods including break and lunch times, arrival at school or before departure and during lesson transition.

Þ Ensure the inclusion of all children, including those with EAL and support individual children who find it difficult to form relationships.

Teaching and learning

Þ Demonstrate an informed and efficient approach to teaching and learning by adopting relevant strategies to support the work of the teacher and increase achievement of all pupils including, where appropriate, those with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).

Þ Contribute to the planning of lessons using adapted teaching strategies.

Þ Support the teaching of a broad and balanced curriculum aimed at helping the pupil to achieve their full potential in all areas of learning by contributing to the planning of lessons using adapted teaching strategies.

Þ Read and understand lesson plans shared prior to lessons, if available.

Þ Take into account the pupils’ Special Educational Needs and ensure they access to the lesson and its content through appropriate clarification, explanations, equipment, materials and use of data and other metacognitive strategies.

Þ Promote, support and facilitate inclusion by encouraging participation of all pupils in learning and extracurricular activities.

Þ Use effective behaviour management strategies consistently in line with the school’s policy and procedures by modelling good behaviour.

Þ Monitor, record and report on pupil progress and attainment.

Þ Support class teachers with maintaining good order and discipline among pupils, managing behaviour effectively to ensure a good and safe learning environment.

Þ Organise and manage teaching space and resources to help maintain a stimulating and safe learning environment.

Þ Observe pupil performance and pass observations on to the class teacher.

Þ Supervise a class if the teacher is temporarily unavailable.

Þ Supporting individual pupils with their exam access arrangements.

Þ Use ICT skills to advance pupils’ learning and develop pupils’ competence and independence in its use.

Þ Attend formal and informal meetings with teachers and other school staff to contribute to planning lessons / activities in order to meet pupil needs.

Þ Contribute to the overall ethos, aims and work of the school.

Þ Undertake any other relevant duties given by the class teacher, SENDCo or Assistant SENDCo.

Working with staff, parents/carers and relevant professionals

Þ Communicate effectively with other staff members and pupils, and with parents and carers under the direction of the class teacher, SENDCo or Assistant SENDCo.

Þ Communicate knowledge and understanding of pupils to other school staff and education, health and social care professionals, so that informed decision making can take place on intervention and provision.

Þ Contribute to meetings with parents and carers by providing feedback on pupil progress, attainment and barriers to learning, as directed by teachers, SENDCo or Assistant SENDCo.

Þ With the class teacher, keep other professionals accurately informed of performance and progress, or concerns they may have about the pupils they work with.

Þ Collaborate and work with colleagues and other relevant professionals within and beyond the school.

Þ Develop effective professional relationships with colleagues.

Health and safety

Þ Promote the safety and wellbeing of pupils, and help to safeguard pupils’ wellbeing by following the requirements of Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE) and the Balcarras Trust’s child protection and safeguarding policies.

Þ Comply with individual responsibilities, in accordance with the role, for health and safety within the workplace, including manual handling.

Þ Look after children who are upset or have had accidents.

Professional development

Þ Help keep own knowledge and understanding relevant and up-to-date by reflecting on own practice, liaising with school leaders, and identifying relevant professional development to improve personal practice.

Þ Take opportunities to build the appropriate skills, qualifications, and/or experience needed for the role, with support from the school.

Þ Take part in the school’s appraisal procedures.

Safeguarding

Þ Work in line with statutory safeguarding guidance (e.g. Keeping Children Safe in Education, Prevent) and the safeguarding and child protection policies of Balcarras Trust.

Þ Share the Trust’s commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all young people

Þ Promote the safeguarding of all pupils in the school.

Þ Take action to meet pupils’ personal needs to avoid undue physical or mental stress

Teaching Assistants are required to follow all school policies and the staff code of conduct.

Please note, this is illustrative of the general nature and level of responsibility of the role. It is not a comprehensive list of all tasks that a Teaching Assistant will carry out. The postholder may be required to do other duties appropriate to the level of the role, as directed by the headteacher or SENDCo.

CRITERIA

QUALITIES

Qualifications and Training

Essential

• 5 GCSEs or equivalent level, including at least a Grade 4 (previously Grade C) in English and mathematics.

Desirable

• First-aid training, or willingness to complete it.
• Manual handling training, or willingness to complete it.
• Evidence of continuous professional development.

Experience

Desirable

• Experience working in a school environment or other educational setting.
• Experience of working with children with Special Educational Needs and / or disabilities.
• Experience planning and delivering learning activities (under supervision).
• Experience of using strategies to manage challenging behaviour.

Skills and Knowledge

Essential

• Fluent level of English, both spoken and written.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Active listening skills.
• Good organisational skills.
• Ability to build effective working relationships with pupils and adults by overcoming any communication barriers.
• Proven ability to manage a demanding workload, work under pressure and deal with conflicting demands.
• Knowledge of guidance and requirements around safeguarding children.
• Knowledge of Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND).
• Ability to work in a small team, maintaining confidentiality and excellent working practice.

Desirable

• Skills and expertise in understanding the needs of all pupils.
• Knowledge of how to help adapt and deliver support to meet individual needs.
• Subject and curriculum knowledge relevant to the role, and ability to apply this effectively in supporting teachers and pupils.
• Good ICT skills, particularly using ICT to support learning.
• Understanding of roles and responsibilities within the classroom and whole school context.
• Understanding of effective teaching methods that create a culture of high expectations in the classroom environment.
• Knowledge of how to successfully lead learning activities for a group or class of children.
• Knowledge of how statutory and non-statutory frameworks for the school curriculum relate to the age and ability ranges of the learners they support.
• Knowledge of how to support learners in accessing the curriculum in accordance with the SEND code of practice

To view the job description and person specification or download and complete the Balcarras application form on our website, please click on Apply Now.

For further information about the post or to email completed application form , please contact the school at the email address to the right of this advert.

Closing date for applications: Wed 16th Oct 9am. Start date of "as soon as possible after successful interview"

Salary: FTE £22,737pa to FTE £23,893pa

Hours Per Week: Full/Part time

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