Post Title: Classroom Assistant
Hours of Work : Full-time, term-time
Reporting to: The Special Educational Needs Co-Ordinator, for day-to-day management and to the Vice Principal - Pastoral.
Working in partnership
with: Housemasters, class teachers, mentors, parents and other professionals involved in the overall care of the pupils.
Overall role: Under the direction of the Vice Principal to work as part of the team within the School to provide all necessary assistance to support pupils with learning difficulties and/or disabilities in mainstream classes and in school in general.
This will involve working directly with pupils and their peers in a classroom situation. There will be a level of supervision at break and lunch times.
Main Duties and Responsibilities:
1.0 Special Support:
1.1 Assist with the support and care of the pupils with special educational needs, for example, enabling access to the curriculum;
1.2 Develop an understanding of the specific needs of the pupils to be supported;
1.3 Assist with authorised programmes, for example, education plans etc to participate in the evaluation of the support and encourage participation in such programmes;
1.4 Contribute to the inclusion of the pupils within the school under the direction of the Special Educational Needs Co-ordinator;
1.5 Support the implementation of behavioural management programmes as directed;
2.0 General Support:
2.1 Assist the pupils with educational needs to learn as effectively as possible in group situations and on their own by assisting with the management of the learning environment through:
- Clarifying and explaining instruction;
- Ensuring the pupils are able to use equipment and materials provided;
- Assisting in monitoring and encouraging the pupils as required;
- Assisting in educational areas requiring reinforcement or development;
- Promoting the independence of the pupils to enhance learning;
- Helping the pupils to stay focused on the work set and record homework;
- Encourage social interaction
2.2 Awareness and knowledge of the School’s policies and procedures;
2.3 Awareness of confidential issues linked to home, pupils, teacher, schoolwork, etc and to keep and treat confidences appropriately;
2.4 Establish a supportive relationship with the pupils concerned;
2.5 Prepare and produce appropriate resources to support the pupils;
2.6 Accompany staff and assist the pupils with off-site activities when required;
2.7 Ensure as far as possible a safe environment for the pupils;
3.0 Administration:
3.1 Assist with classroom administration;
3.2 Assist as required with the implementation of the system for recording pupils’ progress;
3.3 Provide regular feedback about the pupils to the Special Educational Needs Co-ordinator, class teachers and other involved in the care of the pupils;
4.0 Other Duties:
4.1 Attend appropriate training courses;
4.2 Carry out any other duties, which may be assigned to the post holder by the Vice Principal or Principal, that are within the level of the post.
Application
Please complete the Application Form, Monitoring Form and Pre-Employment Vetting Declaration and return to the Principal’s PA at The Royal Belfast Academical Institution, College Square East, Belfast, BT1 6DL or by email to .
The closing date for applications is 12 noon on Monday 24 February 2025. Interviews will be held during week commencing Monday 3 March 2025.
The School is an Equal Opportunities Employer.