What skills and experience we're looking for
St James’ Catholic Primary School is a happy, successful primary school which is part of the Lumen Christi Catholic Multi Academy Company. The school has an excellent reputation as well as enjoying a strong partnership between the School and Parish community.
The School Standards Committee are seeking to appoint an enthusiastic, motivated and experienced Teaching Assistant who is passionate in supporting pupils with learning and who has high expectations of pupil achievement and behaviour.
The successful candidate will be:
• Supportive of the school’s distinctive Catholic nature
• A highly-skilled teaching assistant
• Enthusiastic
• Highly organised
• Committed to achieving the highest standards
• Reflective
• Committed to their own professional development
• NVQ Level 2 or 3 in childcare or an equivalent qualification
JOB PURPOSE:
This level is applicable to experienced teaching assistants whose working role calls for competence across a varied range of responsibilities.
To support teaching staff in the development and education of pupils including the provision of specialist skills as appropriate.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
Support for pupils (either individually or in groups)
Support the activities of individuals or groups
Establish and maintain relationships with individual pupils and groups.
Contribute to individual Education Plans as appropriate.
Support pupils during learning activities.
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.
Dealing with the personal care needs of children where appropriate in line with the guidance of the local authority
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
Undertake routine marking in line with school policy
Provide general administrative support, for example, administer coursework, produce worksheets etc.
Undertake joint home visits as appropriate
Support for the school
Support the development and effectiveness of team work within the school environment
Develop and maintain working relationships with other professionals
Liaise with parents as appropriate
Review and develop own professional practice
Work as required across the curriculum and in all Key Stages within the school in accordance with the job
Support for the curriculum
Support the use of information and communication technology in the classroom
Individuals have a responsibility for promoting and safeguarding the welfare of children and young people he/she is responsible for or comes into contact with.
To ensure their tasks are carried out with due regard to Health and Safety
To participate in appropriate professional development including adhering to the principle of performance management.
To adhere to the ethos of the school and Lumen Christi Catholic Multi Academy
To promote the agreed vision and aims of the school and Lumen Christi
To set an example of personal integrity and professionalism
Attendance at appropriate staff meetings and parents evenings
Any other duties as commensurate within the grade in order to ensure the smooth running of the school
What the school offers its staff
We can offer:
• A supportive and caring learning environment which aims to promote and develop expertise of all staff through a commitment to CPD.
• Enthusiastic and friendly children who respond well to encouragement and challenge, and have a love for learning.
• Excitement and challenge with varied opportunities from our collaborative networking within the Lumen Christi MAC and local schools.
• An Outstanding school (Ofsted September 2024, RE Section 48 May Inspection 2019)
Further details about the role
PERSON SPECIFICATION
Job Title: Teaching Assistant (Level 2) Grade: 2 Hours: 15.0 hours per week (term time only) Contract Temporary Location St James’ Catholic Primary School
Experience of supporting children in a classroom environment, including those with special educational needs
Experience of using Information Technology to support pupils in the classroom
SKILLS AND ABILITIES
(Eg Written communication skills, dealing with the public)
A good standard of education particularly in English and Mathematics
Knowledge of the legal and organisational requirements for maintaining the health, safety and security of yourself and others in the learning environment
Knowledge of SEN Code of Practice
Knowledge of strategies to recognise and reward efforts and achievements towards self-reliance that are appropriate to the age and development stage of the pupils
Ability to provide classroom cover – with agreed parameters – in the absence of the class teacher
Ability to consistently and effectively implement agreed behaviour management strategies
Ability to use language and other communication skills that pupils can understand and relate to
Ability to establish positive relationships with pupils and empathise with their needs
Ability to demonstrate active listening skills
Ability to provide levels of individual attention, reassurance and help with learning tasks as appropriate to pupils’ needs, encouraging the pupils to stay on task
Ability to monitor the pupils’ response to the learning activities and, where appropriate, modify or adapt the activities as agreed with the teacher to achieve the intended learning outcomes
Ability to carry out and report on systemic observations of pupils’ knowledge understanding and skills
Ability to assist in the recording of lessons and assessment as required by the teacher
Ability to offer constructive feedback to pupils to reinforce self-esteem
Ability to work effectively and supportively as a member of the school team
Ability to work within and apply all school policies e.g. behaviour management, child protection, Health and Safety, Equal Opportunities
TRAINING
Willingness to participate in further training and developmental opportunities offered by the school and county, to further knowledge
NB Full regard must be paid to overseas qualifications
NVQ Level 2/3 for Teaching Assistants or equivalent
Willingness to maintain confidentiality on all school matters
Commitment to safeguarding
This school is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and expect all staff and to share this commitment. The successful candidate will be subject to all necessary pre-employment checks, including: an enhanced DBS; Prohibition check; Childcare Disqualification (where applicable); qualifications (where applicable); medical fitness; identity and right to work. Shortlisted candidates will be subject to online checks, in line with KCSiE Sept 2022.