Teaching Assistant

Teaching Assistant Vacancy

We seek to appoint a Teaching Assistant, to join our vibrant and enthusiastic team at Channing Junior School. The ideal candidate should have a NVQ3 qualification in Childcare and Education. If they haven’t completed an NVQ3, they must be committed to completing this within the first year of employment. The school will fund this.

All staff are responsible, in every aspect of their work, for implementing and promoting the school's core values of courtesy, care and consideration for everyone in our community. Equally, we all have a responsibility to make sure that each girl is supported and challenged so that her education is a fulfilling and a satisfying experience for her.

Working hours

• Term time only plus INSET days before/after term dates
• Standard working hours 8.00am - 4.00pm
• In addition, every Teaching Assistant will be expected to work:

-1 day a week, 8.00am - 4.30pm (to attend briefing section of Staff Meeting)

-1 day a week, 8.00am - 6pm and 1 day a week, 7.30am - 4.00pm (to support with our Club Waiters and Late Collection provisions, to complete year group prep, to undertake assigned CPD training, to run a homework club)

Teaching Assistant Job Description

Line Management

You will be responsible to the Head of the Junior School for the effective performance of your duties on a day to day basis. The Head of the Junior School will delegate your line management to members of the Senior Team. In the first instance, you can speak to the Form Teacher(s) and/or Specialist Teachers you work with, then the Head of Key Stage (depending on which Key Stage you are working in), then the Deputy and then the Head of the Junior School. More personal issues can be discussed with the Deputy or the Head of the Junior School in the first instance.

Main Areas of Responsibility include:

Supporting the Form & Specialist Teachers

This will include a wide variety of activities such as:

• Working under the direction of the teacher to promote the intellectual, social and emotional development of the pupils in accordance with the aims of the school
• Ensuring safety and welfare of pupils
• Assisting the teaching team in ensuring that pupils behave and conduct themselves properly, both within and outside the classrooms in line with our behaviour policy
• Listening to readers, maintaining reading records, changing books
• Supporting the teaching of lessons across the curriculum
• Working with small groups to help with reinforcement, practical activities, extension work, etc.
• Reporting pupil progress and any concerns to the teacher
• Assisting with planning activities and preparation of teaching materials including laminating and photocopying and teaching equipment
• Helping with the preparation and clearing up of teaching activities and areas
• Ensuring that the classroom, books and materials are tidy and in good condition
• Organising and filing pupils’ work
• Assisting with observation and monitoring of pupils’ progress & difficulties
• Assisting in the preparation, mounting & dismantling of display work in classrooms and communal areas of the school
• Accompanying forms on co-curricular activities including day trips and residential trips
• Assisting pupils to change for PE and swimming as required

Other duties

This will include a variety of activities such as:

• Being aware of, and complying with, school policies and procedures e.g. safeguarding, health and safety and confidentiality
• Showing a commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all pupils
• Fostering the aims and ethos of the school and making a positive contribution to school life
• Getting to know the pupils by being friendly whilst maintaining a professional approach at all times and always acting in the best interests of each individual
• Supervising pupils and organising activities for pupils in our Club Waiters provision after school
• Supervising pupils in our Late Collection provision and communicating with parents after school.
• Supervising pupils at morning and afternoon breaks and at lunchtimes
• Assisting with pupils’ welfare and first aid
• Running a weekly extra-curricular club
• Attending the briefing section of the weekly Staff Meetings and other meetings as required
• Undertaking training/CPD as required
• Attending events before and after the school day that directly involve pupils and to offer help when needed, e.g. concerts, performances
• Supporting to set up, and attending, the school’s annual Founders’ Day.
• Setting a good example to pupils in terms of appropriate dress, punctuality and attendance
• Attending and support pupils during day trips and workshops
• Attending and support pupils during residential trips, if required

Person specification – Teaching Assistant

Experience / Knowledge

• The ideal candidate should have experience working in a primary school and NVQ3 (or equivalent) in Childcare and Education. If they haven’ t completed an NVQ3, the y must be committed to completing this within the first y ear of employment. The school will fund this.
• A commitment to enable pupils of all abilities to fulfil their potential
• The ability to foster a genuine spirit of enthusiasm for learning

Skills and Abilities

• Commitment to the ethos of the school.
• Interest in the personal development of children and their welfare.
• Ability to work as a team member and to form good working relationships with colleagues.
• Strong communication skills in oral and written English and ability to relate to others.
• Good communication, organisational and administrative skills.
• Ability to meet deadlines and show good attention to detail.
• Ability to manage pupils firmly, fairly and effectively.
• A role model who demonstrates professionalism at all times.
• Good personal presentation.
• Excellent record of attendance and punctuality.
• Commitment to co-curricular and extra-curricular activities.
• Ability to use ICT in supporting administrative tasks and supporting teaching.
• Excellent organisational and time-management skills.

Attributes

• Initiative and self-motivation.
• Proactive and flexible working approach.
• A robust constitution and high energy levels.
• Helpful, approachable with a positive nature.

Channing School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. To assist in this, the school follows a formal recruitment procedure for the employment of all staff which adheres to the recommendations of the Department f or Education (DfE) in "Safeguarding Children and Safer Recruitment in Education" and the School’s Child Protection Policy. In line with our Recruitment Policy , all shortlisted candidates will be subject to online searches including social media. A copy of this procedure is available on request.

Subject to statutory provisions, no applicant will be treated less favourably than another on the grounds of a protected characteristic. Ability to perform the job will be the primary consideration.