Teaching Support Assistant

Heathside School has the highest ambitions for our pupils’ intellectual and academic experience at all age levels. Our aspirations mean that we are not just looking for an outstanding Teaching Support Assistant to be a part of our team, but someone who has the enthusiasm, creativity, flexibility and energy to help the School in achieving its vision. 

This post holder will be an integral part of a team that provides specialist learning support for the pupils. Under guidance of the SENCO and class teachers, the post holder will be expected to facilitate the inclusion of pupils with additional learning needs into the classroom. You will work with individual pupils and small groups within the lessons, by providing high quality, targeted support.    You will develop and maintain effective and supportive relationships with a small case load of pupils in order to support their specific learning and emotional needs and, where appropriate, deliver some 1-1 or small group interventions to meet those needs. The post holder will also assist the class teachers in providing a stimulating educational environment in which all pupils can achieve their potential. 

If you are an outstanding and experienced professional, who has high expectations of yourself and others, we would be delighted to hear from you.

Teaching and Learning

·      Providing targeted support for individual pupils, both inside and outside the classroom, to enable them to fully participate in activities.

·      Providing academic and social support for all pupils.

·      Providing unobtrusive, in-class guidance and support to enable pupils to find answers to questions and tasks set, using knowledge of each individual’s differing levels of development and ability to ensure progression and continuity.

·      Managing and supporting an allocation of specific pupils with an identified SEN.

·      Assisting with the development, implementation and monitoring of pupil support plans and/or individual education plans for allocated pupils.

·      Planning, delivering and evaluating 1-1 or small group interventions (with guidance and support from the SENCO and class teachers).

·      Assisting the SENCO and class teachers in the planning of work programmes for individuals and groups of pupils and developing a range of activities to facilitate inclusion for all.

·      Liaising with parents and other professionals, as and when required. This could be in the form of written communication through diaries, phone calls or verbal communication at the start and/or end of the school day.

·      Attending and actively participating in lesson planning meetings.

·      Undertaking playtime and lunchtime supervision as directed by the deputy headteacher. (Duties)

Administrative duties

·      Keeping and maintaining records of pupils’ support and progress, in line with school policy, including tracking progress towards PSP/IEPs and providing reports for Annual Reviews. 

·      Monitoring and reporting on progress made by pupils during interventions and/ or 1-1 sessions.  

·      Ensuring that all departmental materials and equipment are in good, safe working order and stored safely and securely.

·      Assisting with the planning and organising of departmental trips, to ensure they are fully inclusive.

·       Attending school meetings/INSET days.

General Duties

·      Assisting the teacher in the morning, setting up the classroom. Ensuring resources are ready, such as pencils being sharp or laying out workbooks.

·      Checking the homework diaries and changing the reading books.

·      Sharing responsibility with the teachers for collecting the children from the playground and delivery of them to the specialist lessons.  

·      Tidying up the classroom at the end of the school day. Checking for left items, tucking in chairs, checking the bookshelf is tidy and ensure resources such as pencils are ready for the next day.

·      Working with the class teacher to create vibrant and eye-catching displays in line with Heathside’s display policy.

Other Duties

·      Maintaining confidentiality and observing data protection and associated guidelines where appropriate.

·      Carrying out duties and responsibilities of the post in compliance with the School’s Equal Opportunities Policy.

·      Observing all Heathside School practices relating to child protection, security, fire and emergency and Health and Safety.

·      Understanding and complying with all other relevant school policies.

Operational

·      Promoting the school to current parents and potential parents.

·      Working with the SLT and inspectors during inspections by regulatory bodies and assisting in the implementation of any recommendations.

Staff

·      Working collaboratively with other staff members.

·      Supporting and mentoring pupils.

·      Being responsible for participating in all self-development activities including training and appraisals, etc.

Pastoral Care

·      Being fully conversant with, and apply, the school’s child protection policy and all related issues.

·      Promoting good attendance and monitoring it in accordance with School policy.

·      Promoting the general progress and well-being of pupils.

Professional Standards

·      Supporting the aims and ethos of the School, including the school’s strategic plan.

·      Treating all members of the School community with respect and consideration.

·      Treating all pupils fairly, consistently and without prejudice.

·      Setting a good example to pupils in terms of appropriate dress, punctuality and attendance.

·      Taking responsibility for personal professional development within the School’s CPD programme.

·      Attending all departmental and staff meetings, Parents’ Evenings, New Parent’s Day.

·      Ensuring that all deadlines are met.

·      Taking responsibility for matters relating to health and safety.

·      Undertaking duties that may be reasonably assigned by the Headteacher (directly or indirectly).