Job Overview

First Tower School are looking to recruit a self-motivated and enthusiastic Teaching Assistant to join our friendly team to support our children across year groups in Key Stage 1 and 2. You will have an NVQ 3 or equivalent and ideally two years' experience working or volunteering in a school. 

The successful candidate will:
•    Be motivated
•    Be able to work as part of a team
•    Have a passion for teaching and learning

First Tower is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and expects all staff to share this commitment. Please be aware that all candidates will be required to provide at least one referee that can comment on their suitability to work with children.

Job Purpose

• Supervise and provide particular support for students, including those with special needs, ensuring their safety and access to learning activities in line with the curriculum.
• Plan individual programmes against learning objectives. To give feedback to the team on the progress and behaviour of the individual group or pupil within the special needs area.
• Observe and monitor the development of specific students, recording appropriately and applying this knowledge to future planning.
• To supervise and assess the students in planned activities within the curriculum areas in the manner best suited to the individual needs.
• Accompany teaching staff on visits trips and out of lesson times, including before and after school and at lunchtimes.
• Supervise whole classes as required during short term absence of teachers. The primary focus will be to maintain good order and to keep students on task.
• Attend students’ personal needs, and implement related personal programmes, including social, health, physical, and hygiene and welfare matters.
• Provide clerical/administrative support e.g. photocopying, tying, filing, collecting money.
• Support and develop partnerships with parents, liaising with them, with the support of the teacher in charge, to ensure consistency in approach for the students.

• Be aware of and comply with policies and procedures relating to child protection health, safety and security, confidentiality and data protection.  Report all concerns to an appropriate person.

Qualifications

• Working with or caring for children of relevant age.
• 2 years’ experience in working with students.
• Have worked in all key stages across the school.
• Numeracy/literacy skills to a minimum of level 2 standard.
• NVQ 3 or equivalent qualification or Diploma in Childcare Education at Level 3 plus 2 years relevant experience.
• Training in at least two relevant strategies e.g. literacy and/or in particular curriculum or learning area e.g. bi-lingual, sign language Level 2, dyslexia etc.
• Appropriate First Aid training.

Knowledge

• Can use ICT effectively to support learning.
• Use of other equipment technology – video, photocopier.
• Full working knowledge of relevant policies/codes of practice and awareness of relevant legislation.
• Working knowledge of curriculum and other relevant learning programmes/strategies.
• Understanding of principles of child development and learning processes.
• Ability to self-evaluate learning needs and actively seek learning opportunities.
• Ability to relate well to children and adults.
• Work constructively as part of a team, understanding classroom roles and responsibilities and your own position within these.
• Knowledge of Health and Safety.
• Ability to plan effective actions for students who require support to progress their learning or who require specific support to facilitate their accessing of learning opportunities.
• Have an understanding of the range of support services/providers/agencies.
• The ability to communicate at all levels while exercising a high degree of confidentiality is essential.