Teaching Assistant

BACKGROUND

THE SCHOOL

Highgate School was established in 1565 by a Royal Charter of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth the First. Sir Roger Cholmeley, our Founder, was granted Letters Patent to found ‘a grammar School…for good education and instruction’. Today Highgate is a flourishing coeducational independent School which includes the Senior School for pupils aged 11-18; the Junior School for pupils aged 7-11 and the Pre-Preparatory School for pupils aged 3-7. There are currently in the region of 1,800 pupils at Highgate and the School employs approximately 550 full-time or part-time teaching and support staff.

The School is situated in one of the most attractive and sought after areas of North London, only a short journey from Central London and adjacent to Hampstead Heath. The hilltop site in Highgate Village is the historic site of the Senior School. A few hundred yards along Hampstead Lane in Bishopswood Road lie the Junior and Pre-Preparatory Schools and the extensive playing fields, adjacent to the open spaces of Kenwood and Hampstead Heath. The Northern Line underground station is a short walk away and it is four miles to Central London.

Working at Highgate offers the opportunity to be part of a vibrant and welcoming community, committed to academic excellence and the highest standards of pastoral care for its pupils. The Governors consider the development of excellence in the education offered to the pupils to be the underlying purpose of activities undertaken by all staff.

Highgate is committed to the safeguarding and welfare of children and applicants must be willing to undergo child protection screening appropriate to this post, including checks with past employers and the Disclosure and Barring Service.

HIGHGATE PRE-PREPARATORY SCHOOL

The Pre-Preparatory School is housed in its own building in Bishopswood Road, adjacent to the school’s playing fields.  The Pre-Prep is an academically selective, coeducational school and has approximately 150 pupils.  The school is two form entry and takes pupils from Nursery (age 3) to Year Two when it is expected that they will transfer to Highgate Junior School.

THE ROLE

Working under the direction of the Class Teacher the Teaching Assistant will support the children and help to carry out the following range of duties, maintaining the high standards expected at the School.

MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES

Classroom Environment and Resources

• Help to provide a stimulating learning environment for the children under the direction of the teacher
• Welcome the children into the classroom on arrival and assist with settling them in.  Relay to the class teacher any messages given by parents
• Change reading books in book folders; prepare record sheets in reading file
• Mount and display the children's work in accordance with the School’s display policy.  Assist with captions and labels for displays
• Compile project books and assembly work in these in accordance with the class teacher’s instructions
• Prepare reading record books, exercise books, homework folders, tray and peg labels in collaboration with the class teacher
• Assist in the clearing up, cleaning and storage of classroom equipment, including clearing display boards and removing staples
• Maintain stocks of paper, exercise books, pencils, art and writing materials in the classroom and advise teacher if stocks run low
• Photocopy worksheets for use in school and for homework
• File homework sheets in children’s files
• Help with preparation and clearing away of art and craft, science and other activities

Care of Children in the School

• Take care of children in the classroom and school building; comfort them when they are sick and distressed; assisting them with washing or cleaning when necessary (e.g. after being sick); encourage independence in dressing; give individual attention when it is needed
• Administer basic first aid when the children are hurt and record such incidents in the School’s accident book
• Encourage good discipline and behaviour both in and out of the classroom, in accordance with the School’s policy
• Observe any children closely, and report any incidences of aggressive or anti-social behaviour, or any other concerns about individuals, to the class teacher

Care of Children in the Dining Hall and Main Playground

• Provide continuity of care for the children throughout the lunch-time breaks and, if required, during mid-morning breaks, too; accompany the class to the dining room, sit with the children at the table and help to serve them
• Organise and supervise a range of activities in the playground, including games and quiet activities; help children acquire strategies for coping with the playground environment; make sure that they are safe, obey the playground rules and learn the arts of co-operation and fair play

The Curriculum and Children’s Learning

• Help with all aspects of the curriculum; work as needed with individual children and groups, encouraging the development of children's skills particularly in literacy, mathematics
• Together with the class teacher, hear children read individually on a daily basis and help to monitor their progress, keeping careful records

Assessment and Record Keeping

• Make observations of the children's play and behaviour and discuss any significant matters with the Teacher

Parents

• Welcome parents who visit the classroom and work closely with them
• Liaise with parents over day-to-day matters and relay messages to the Class Teacher

Accompanying Children

• Take children to the Mallinson Sports Centre and help them to prepare for Sport and Exercise and swimming lessons; accompany small groups of children on walks; develop their interest in their local environment; assist on school visits and outings; all in accordance with the guidelines set out in the School’s health and safety document

Team Work

• Provide reliable support for the Class Teacher at all times;  keep her informed of all matters that affect the children; join in professional discussions and staff meetings after-school; be willing to work with other teachers and children
• Assist with plays and productions, Sports Day, concerts, Open Days and other school events
• Accompany classes on outings, staying on occasions beyond the end of the usual working day for this purpose
• If required, undertake to help within the broader context of the School, carrying out other reasonable duties to support its smooth and efficient organisation

These duties and responsibilities are intended as a guide. They are not exhaustive: the Teaching Assistant will be expected to undertake any reasonable task or responsibility as required by the Class Teacher.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

ESSENTIAL CRITERIA 
Experience
•Previous experience in a similar role
Ability / skills
•The ability to establish good relations with colleagues and pupils
•Awareness and understanding of safeguarding and welfare of children
Personal Attributes 
•Committed to providing a quality learning experience for our pupils
•Ability to work collaboratively with colleagues
•Flexible, can-do approach

CHILD PROTECTION

All members of staff must comply with the School’s Safeguarding & Welfare Policy which is posted on the staff intranet.  If in the course of carrying out the duties of the post the post holder becomes aware of any actual or potential risks to the safety and welfare of our pupils, these concerns must be reported immediately in accordance with the policy.  A copy of this policy will accompany all offers of employment.

TERMS & CONDITIONS
Salary
Circa £9,923 (3 days) p.a. depending on qualifications, skills and experience
Hours of Work
Term Time only plus 12 days. Part time, 3 days a week (8.45am until 1.30pm)
Probationary Period
This appointment will be subject to the completion of a probationary period of six months to the satisfaction of the Governors.
Break Periods
The lunch break is unpaid and does not form part of your working hours.  A complimentary lunch is available when the Dining Hall is in operation.
Holidays
Academic holidays as they occur during the duration of the contract. The salary for this role includes an element of holiday pay in respect of statutory annual holiday
Pension
The School runs a defined benefit pension scheme which provides a pension benefit of 1/80th of final salary for each year of membership based on a current employee contribution rate of 6%.
Leisure Facilities
Subject always to the needs of pupils and School’s operations, staff are offered free access at stipulated times to the School’s sports facilities.
Confidentiality
The need for absolute confidentiality and discretion, both within Highgate and the wider community, must be understood.
Dress Code
Teachers and support staff are expected to set an example to pupils and should dress appropriately at all times.
Smoking
Smoking, including vaping, is not allowed on or immediately outside any School premises (the footprint of the buildings and the grounds) or in areas where smoking might be seen by parents or pupils during working hours.
Health and Safety
Highgate takes its obligations under the Health & Safety at Work Act seriously and the postholder will be required to comply with all aspects of Highgate’s Health and Safety Policy, particularly in relation to safe working practices.  All staff must keep up to date with Highgate’s Health and Safety Policies which are regularly updated and posted on the Staff Intranet.
Equality and Diversity
Highgate is committed to being an equal opportunities employer. To enable us to make any reasonable adjustments please let us know at application stage if you have any special requirements.

As a member of the support staff, this role is responsible to the Bursar. Job descriptions may be updated by the Bursar from time to time to accommodate the changing needs of the School.

For operational reasons, the School reserves the right to transfer employees to alternative duties. For this reason it is a condition of employment that employees are willing to do so, if requested, from time to time.

APPLICATION PROCEDURE

Applications should be made via Highgate’s website www.highgateschool.org.uk/about/vacancies

For any queries please contact Alice Buchanan, HR & Recruitment Officer, Highgate School, North Road, London N6 4AY. Recruitment@Highgateschool.org.uk

Closing date:  Monday 4th June at 8.00am.

Applications will be considered on receipt and we reserve the right to close an advert early if we find a suitable candidate.