Graduate Teaching Assistant

We are looking for enthusiastic graduate teaching assistants who are passionate about education and working with children and young people to support teaching and learning at the academy.

Your opportunity

Responsibilities will include supporting students with a variety of needs to access the curriculum and raise their achievement; preparing and supporting the use of resources; developing students’ study and organisational skills; and supporting a positive culture for learning within the classroom. Your main responsibilities will be:

• To work collaboratively with the class teacher and the SEN Department to enable students with a variety of SEN needs to positively engage in a classroom environment
• To demonstrate a proactive approach to supporting all students in the classroom, including SEN.
• To demonstrate an understanding of the needs of all students.
• To implement Quality First Teaching strategies and strategies on Student SEN Profiles within the Assess, Plan, Do, Review framework of the SEND Code of Practice (2014).
• To implement an appropriate level of differentiation to meet individual needs, whilst ensuring that students retain ownership over their learning
• To engage positively and proactively in all CPD opportunities offered within the SEN Department and the wider Academy.
• To support other students in the class group, as appropriate.
• To demonstrate and apply a level of subject knowledge.
• To use behaviour management strategies consistently.
• To liaise with relevant staff within the Academy making them aware of problems experienced by students.
• To adhere to the DFE Professional Standards for Teaching Assistants (2016) once qualified.
• To be involved in trips and educational visits.

As part of Harris, you will join a community of staff dedicated to transforming education in London. With regular progression opportunities and outstanding CPD for support staff, there will be a wealth of opportunities for you to grow your career, whether at Harris Academy Purley, in one of our other 49 academies, or in our central team. Our aim is to help you achieve your ambitions more quickly.

What we are looking for:

We look for talented individuals who want to be a part of transforming education in London, and helping create exceptional places of learning. The successful candidate will have:

• Qualifications to degree standard or equivalent, ideally in Maths, English or Science
• Excellent standard of written and spoken English 
• Previous experience of supporting learning of students
• Basic knowledge of SEND and learning barriers
• Some knowledge of working with young people with challenging behaviour
• Knowledge of some of the social issues facing students from disadvantaged backgrounds
• Good computer skills including a working knowledge of Microsoft packages
• Experience working young people in an educational or training environment
• Experience of establishing and maintaining working relationships with a range of people
• Awareness of Health and Safety issues in the workplace
• A working understanding and commitment to equality of opportunity for all
• Commitment to the highest standards of child protection 
• Experience of managing and being responsible for own workload

Please download the job pack for a full job description and person specification.

Next Steps

Please download the Job Pack for full details on the job responsibilities and person specification. You will need this when completing your online application.

If you have any questions about this opportunity, please contact us via e-mail, or call to arrange a conversation.

Please note: we may hold interviews as and when applications are received, and this job may be withdrawn without notice. Applications will only be considered if submitted online and before the closing deadline. With this in mind, we encourage you to apply as soon as possible.

Our Benefits Package

In addition to the opportunities for career progression, training and development, we also offer a competitive rewards and benefits package.

Find out more about Our Benefits

Being a part of the Harris Federation

We are recognised as the top performing large multi-academy trust in England for primary and secondary education. Closing the gap between young people from disadvantaged backgrounds and their peers has always been a core mission of Harris. Holding a reputation for bringing transformative approaches to education, we hold a unrivalled track record in achieving success through rapid school improvement.

Our people are at the heart of this success. We invest in our staff with support, coaching, mentoring, and a wide range of training programmes available at every stage of your career.

We look for talented individuals who share our vision for creating exceptional places of learning, and are committed to ensuring that every child in London has access to the best possible education.

Learn more About Harris and our Vision and Values

Safeguarding Notice

The Harris Federation and all our academies are committed to ensuring the highest levels of safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, and we expect all our staff and volunteers to share in this commitment. All offers of employment are subject to an Enhanced DBS check, references, and where applicable, a prohibition from teaching check will be completed for all applicants.

Read our Statement on the Recruitment of Ex-Offenders

Diversity and Equality

We are committed to equality and to valuing diversity as an employer and a provider of education.

Read our Diversity and Equality Notice