SEND Teaching Assistant Apprenticeship - The Birches School The Birches School is a good school which caters for primary aged children with a range of special educational needs. This is an opportunity to become part of a positive and innovative team, that aims to provide high quality support for our children and their families. We are looking to appoint an enthusiastic and motivated Teaching Assistant to work alongside a class teacher, as part of a class team, to support the learning of a small class group. Knowledge and understanding of learning difficulties, ASC and learning methodologies associated with best practice would be an advantage. We are looking for a positive, flexible, team player who want to make a difference. Key Details: Salary: £6.40 per hour, paid monthly Working week: Monday to Friday, 35 hours a week, (8:30am - 3:45pm Monday and Thursday, 8am - 3:45pm Tuesday, 8:30am - 4:45pm Wednesday, 8:45am - 3:45pm Friday) (Term Time Only, 39 Weeks a year) Notice Period: 1 Month Apprenticeship Details – 18 months expected duration to complete, working towards your Level 3 Teaching Assistant Qualification. (All learning is delivered online/remote). Training Provider: LMP Education (rated 1st best UK training provider) Key Job Responsibilities: Under the guidance of a teacher, manage specialist support in a specific area of the curriculum and take a lead role in addressing the needs of pupils who require help to overcome barriers to learning. Deliver learning programmes and support individual pupils, small groups (and whole classes during the short term absence of teachers) Main Duties Support for pupils 1. To work with groups of children under the supervision of the teacher including the delivery of therapy and programmes of work and the implementation of ILPs 2. Use specialist (curricular learning) skills/training/experience to support pupils 3. Establish good relationships with pupils, taking on role model by presenting a positive personal image and responding appropriately to individual needs 4. Promote the inclusion and acceptance of all pupils 5. Encourage pupils to interact and work co-operatively with others and engage all pupils in activities 6. Promote independence and employ strategies to recognise and reward achievement of self reliance 7. Give regular feedback on children’s progress to the class teacher and file records 8. Provide feedback to pupils in relation to progress and achievement 9. Attend to children’s personal needs, including minor first aid and provide advice to assist in the pastoral, social health, physical hygiene development and welfare matters. To assist with the dispensing of medication in exceptional circumstances, with appropriate training and under the supervision of medical staff where necessary. 11. To carry out escort duties as appropriate whenever required. 12. To assist pupils in the hydrotherapy pool (where applicable), lift, dress, and providing support to the pupils with the activities in the pool. 13. To support pupils on integration placement in mainstream schools or colleges and on work experience placements. Support for Teachers 14. To assist the teacher to ensure a safe classroom and outdoor environment, checking materials and personal equipment for defects and implement risk assessments carried out by the teacher according to school guidelines. This will include cleaning equipment used by pupils and ensuring its accessibility. 15. To liaise with therapists, medical staff, and other personnel working with pupils as required, assisting with the coordinating and planning of programmes of work and to integrate specialist advice and practice into ILPs. 16. Under the direction of the teacher prepare classroom for lessons, including display work and clear afterwards as appropriate. 17. Give regular feedback on children’s progress to the class teacher and file records. 18. Contribute to the planning cycle, managing and preparing resources, and evaluating and adjusting lessons/work plans as directed by the teacher. 19. Be responsible for keeping and updating records, information and data, producing analysis and reports as required. 20. Provide objective and accurate feedback and reports as required, to the teacher on pupil achievement, progress and other matters, ensuring the availability of appropriate evidence. 21. Undertaking marking of pupils’ work and accurately record achievement/progress. 22. Administer and assess routine tests and invigilate exams. 23. Monitor and manage stock within an agreed budget, cataloguing resources and undertaking audits as required. 24. Provide specialist advice and guidance (e.g. Art/Music) as required. 25. Liase with parents/carers, schools and establish constructive relationships and communicate with other relevant bodies to support achievement and progress of pupils (this includes attendance at parents meetings) 26. Contribute to the development and implementation of appropriate behaviour management strategies. 27. Monitor and evaluate pupil responses to learning activities through observation and planned recording of achievement against predetermined learning objectives. 28. To provide curricular clerical/admin support eg. photocopying, making lists, collection of monies. Support for the Curriculum 29. To provide support in all areas of the curriculum and on social occasions for pupils who have been identified as having medical conditions, which disable their full independent access to mainstream school life. 30. Implement agreed learning activities/teaching programmes, adjusting activities according to pupil responses and particular needs, including assessment in order to maximise pupil access to the curriculum within an inclusive setting where appropriate 31. Contribute to the development of lesson/work plans 32. Provide Curriculum / resource support and undertake programmes including those linked to local and national learning strategies 33. Support the use of ICT in learning activities and develop pupils’ competence and independence in its use 34. Assist pupils to access learning activities through specialist support 35. Determine the need for, prepare and maintain general and specialist equipment and resources Support for the School 36. Ensure strategic processes are complied with in order to overcome barriers to learning, including eg behaviour management strategies 37. Be aware of and comply with child protection procedures, health and safety and security, confidentiality and data protection, reporting any concerns to the relevant member of staff 38. Accompany teachers and pupils on educational visits 39. Assist in maintaining high standards of health and safety at all times. 40. Maintain good relationships with colleagues and work together as a team. 41. Assist in the supervision of classroom and outdoor activities. 42. Be aware of and support difference and ensure all pupils have equal access to opportunities to learn and develop. 43. Contribute to the overall ethos/work/aims of the school. 44. Provide appropriate guidance and supervision and assist in the training and development of staff as appropriate 45. Where appropriate – To attend review meetings of pupils who have been identified as experiencing physical disabilities or complex medical needs, providing information on school options and access issues Person Specification Required: Experience of working with children/young people with behavioural difficulties and those with communication, severe, profound or complex learning difficulties where appropriate. Numeracy/literacy skills (at a level equivalent to NQF Level 2) Willingness and ability to undertake HLTA Level responsibilities (refer to HLTA standards) Willingness to participate in training, performance management and self-evaluate learning needs and actively seek learning opportunities Training in the relevant learning strategies and /or in a particular curriculum or learning area, e.g. bilingual Ability to relate well to children and adults Ability to work as part of a team An understanding of the role of the Teaching Assistant and other professionals working in the classroom Ability to use relevant technology eg photocopier Effective use of ICT to support learning Full working knowledge and understanding of national/foundation stage curriculum and other basic learning programmes/strategic processes and barriers to learning Understanding the principles of child development and learning processes Ability to organise, motivate and lead a team Knowledge of strategic processes and barriers to learning, including e.g behavior management strategies Ability to self-evaluate learning needs and actively seek learning opportunities Willingness to undertake first aid training as appropriate Personal Style and Behaviour: Tact and diplomacy in all interpersonal relationships with the public, pupils and colleagues at work. Self motivation and personal drive to complete tasks to the required timescales and quality standards. The flexibility to adapt to changing workload demands and new school challenges. Personal commitment to ensure support is equally accessible and appropriate to the diverse needs of the pupils. Personal commitment to continuous self-development. Personal Commitment to continuous school improvement. Be willing to consent to and apply for an enhanced disclosure to a CRB (Criminal Records Bureau) check. Further Details About the Placement We are a 164 place school that supports pupils with diagnosis of ASC, SLD and PMLD. The Birches is a fun, forward thinking school that has communication at the heart of everything we do. Maintained by Manchester Local Authority, facilities include a hydrotherapy pool, a range of outdoor play areas, a sensory garden, two multisensory rooms and two soft play areas. We offer a vibrant and exciting curriculum with independence, life skills, comunication and physical development as common threads of all that we do. We have a large staff team with a vast amount of experience of working with children and young people with learning difficulties. As well as teaching staff the school offers an onsite School Nurse, Physio team, Speech and Language Team, Sleep counselling team, Outreach programme and Occupational Therapy and sensory integration. Please see “ Local Authority Local Offer “ on the website. All pupils have an individual Pupil Personal Plan to support their learning which is supported by the curriculum. We invest in PE and Music based activities as key curriculum drivers. We have been accredited by the National Autistic Society as the first maintained school in Manchester to gain Autism Accreditation. We believe in forging a strong and positive partnership with parents, carers and families. Organised events included weekly coffee mornings, Family Fun days, Christmas and Summer Fayres – We have an active supporting charity, Buddies of The Birches (BOBS) who organise various out of school events throughout the year, including a weekend away for families- We gained the Leading Parent Partnership award in 2011 and regained it in May 2015. We were recognised as Outstanding in all areas by Ofsted in 2016/17. We provide pupils with the enrichment of educational visits and community links. We take our pupil’s views and opinions very seriously, especially during School Council Election week. We have a healthy programme for volunteers and students and are regularly supported by pupils from Manchester Grammar and Withington Girls Schools. As well as enrichment in the community the school is committed to developing its pupils creatively in areas such as PE and Music – the cheerleading team have represented the school nationally – Go the Birches Bears Pupils also take part in rebound therapy sessions, multisensory sessions, hydrotherapy, sensory and yoga sessions, wake up shake up sessions, sign to sing, ……… Other activities we provide include swimming at Moss Side baths, John Muirs programme (highly motivating learning opportunities based in an outdoor setting), regular Super Learning events, outdoor pursuits including a Year 6 residential trip, a newly created woodland area with barbeque, and our latest additions are a cycle track and a range of large swings and play equipment. About the Employer Inspire ATA is an official Flexi-Job Apprenticeship Agency, licenced by the Department for Education. Currently ranked 2nd in the Rate My Apprenticeship Top 100 Apprenticeship Employers in the UK Award 2023-2024. Inspire ATA specialises in creating apprenticeship opportunities, where we recruit and employ the apprentice on behalf of our host clients, enabling us to offer additional support and a better experience for both the apprentice and the client as the experts in the industry. We arrange the most suitable and appropriate apprenticeship training from one of our partnered training providers. If you are successful in securing an apprenticeship with Inspire ATA, it is important to understand that Inspire ATA will be your employer and the apprenticeship placement will be a separate organisation that simply hosts you as an apprentice. As a Flexi-Job Apprenticeship Agency, Inspire ATA performs an important role in developing the UK labour market and it is our responsibility to ensure that talent is recognised, developed, and matched with business needs, whatever the background of the individual, irrespective of sex, race, disability, age, religion or belief, sexual orientation, marital or civil partnership status, pregnancy or maternity and gender reassignment. We are proud of the diverse nature of our business and work with clients to ensure that all candidates are treated with courtesy and respect. Next steps & Pre-employment checks: (Permitting you’re eligible for the role) Please expect to receive contact from our Inspire ATA Recruitment team, to discuss your application further. Additionally, please be aware that upon a successful offer of employment, DBS checks and references will be obtained as part of your enrolment. InspireTA