Early Years & Key Stage 1 Teaching Assistant

The Role

Hilden Grange are looking to recruit a full time Teaching Assistant to work across our Early Years and Key Stage 1 provision. The successful candidate will have a passion for working with young children and be confident in their ability to support and inspire children and foster their enthusiasm for learning.

To be considered for this role you must ideally possess relevant NNEB, CACHE Level 3, NVQ Level 3 or equivalent qualifications.

The School

Hilden Grange School is an independent preparatory school which educates pupils from 3-13 years. It was founded in 1929 and is now part of the Alpha Plus Group, the Gold Standard in educational provision. The school has access to more than twenty acres of attractive grounds, on the northern fringe of Tonbridge, Kent.

The Group

The Alpha Plus Group was founded in 1931 and currently comprises independent nurseries, schools and colleges, which have developed a longstanding reputation for delivering premium quality education. Alpha Plus Group creates centres of educational excellence. Each centre retains its own identity, with the Heads and Principals afforded significant management authority, but with the benefits of financial security, camaraderie and opportunities for sharing best practice by belonging to one of the country's leading educational groups.

Job Description 

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• To work as a Teaching Assistant within Early Years and/or Key Stage 1
• To support and compliment the role of the class teacher by assisting with classroom preparation, display areas and general administrative tasks
• To support and enhance pupils learning by supporting individual pupils and small groups as directed
• To observe and keep records on the individual pupil’s progress and performance as required, including on-line Learning journals
• To communicate concerns, observations and feedback confidentially to relevant staff
• To attend to personal and social needs of children
• To ensure children’s health and safety, and welfare at all times
• To accompany children on outings, including educational visits
• To support the aims, ethos and policies of the school
• To maintain effective and professional working relationships with children, colleagues and parents to further the children’s learning and development
• To attend regular departmental meetings, full staff meetings and staff training sessions including Alpha Plus Forums
• To undertake other similar responsibilities or activities as reasonably required

EXPERIENCE REQUIRED:

Qualifications –

• Relevant NNEB, CACHE level 3, NVQ level 3 or equivalent qualifications
• Have English and Maths GCSE Grade C or above, or equivalent
• Possess a relevant Paediatric First Aid qualification or be willing to gain such a qualification (training provided)

Experience –

• Experience working in a similar role within Early Years and/or Key Stage 1
• Experience of classroom support including supporting pupil engagement
• Experience of managing relationships with parents and carers

Skills –

• Have a positive, enthusiastic approach with an energy and passion for working with young children.
• Be an excellent communicator who maintains positive relationships with pupils, staff and parents.
• Have a strong desire to work as a part of a team collaboratively, ensuring continuity.
• Be flexible, embracing new ideas and have a pro-active approach.
• Have determination and drive to ensure that every pupil fulfils their potential.
• Have good interpersonal and organisational skills.
• Competent IT skills

Knowledge –

• Have an excellent knowledge and understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage, including the development of outside learning and continuous provision.
• Have a good understanding of how to employ the use of the ‘Characteristics of Effective learning’ to support every child’s learning and development.

 Personal Competencies & Qualities –

•  A strong commitment to effective learning and teaching
• Determination to ensure that every pupil fulfils their potential at whatever level
• To be prepared to enter fully and whole-heartedly into the life of the school
• To understand the importance of providing equal opportunities with regard to the religious persuasion, racial origins, gender, disabilities, cultural or linguistic background of all children

APG is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and as an employee of APG you are expected to share this commitment. The protection of our students’ welfare is the responsibility of all staff within APG Schools and individuals are expected to conduct themselves in a way that reflects the principles of our organisation.

We are committed to equality of opportunity for all staff and applications from individuals are encouraged regardless of age, disability, sex, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief and marriage and civil partnerships.

Please click the link below for further information on employing Ex-Offenders:

Policy on employment of ex-offenders.pdf (alphaplusgroup.co.uk)

The successful applicant will be subject to an enhanced disclosure via the DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) and will have DBS clearance. This check will be carried out alongside other relevant pre-employment checks. References will be taken up and carefully checked.

Application Process

Please apply in confidence by completing the online application form and equal opportunities monitoring form found on the Alpha Plus Group careers page.

Please note that we will not be offering tours of the school prior to interview, a tour will form part of the interview process. Our website provides a lot of information about us and hopefully will give you a feel of life at Hilden Grange.

Closing date for applications is 20th April 2023 with interviews scheduled for the week commencing 8th May 2023.

We reserve the right to close the advert early, if a suitable candidate is appointed and therefore we encourage early application.