Graduate Teaching Assistant

Harris Academy Purley is seeking to appoint Graduate Teaching Assistants to work collaboratively with teaching staff in class to improve the outcomes of students with a variety of needs, including those with Educational Health and Care Plans.

This is an excellent opportunity for graduates with a passion for working with students to gain experience of working within a secondary school. This could be used as a first step into a career into teaching and/or the field of SEN.

About Us

Harris Academy Purley is a mixed Academy for 1,300 students aged 11-18, with a large sixth form of over 300 students. Our vision is that all members of the Academy community are supported and encouraged to achieve their absolute potential.

Harris Academy Purley is part of the Harris Federation and this enables us to offer you a comprehensive induction programme and training and development opportunities to support your career development including Masters and other qualifications.

For a confidential discussion with the Principal or for further information please contact Tim Allman t.allman@harrispurley.org.uk

Main Areas of Responsibility

• 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 and with learning, making expected progress.
• 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), ensuring that Student SEN Profiles are live and working documents.
• 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 a level of subject knowledge and apply this effectively in supporting teachers and students.
• To use behaviour management strategies consistently in line with strategies on Student SEN Profiles and Academy policy and procedures to promote positive behaviour.
• To be committed to improving your own practice through self-evaluation and reflection, contributing positively and proactively in all CPD opportunities offered within the SEN Department and the wider Academy.
• 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 promote the ethos of the school e.g. with regard to standards of behaviour, dress code, punctuality and attendance.
• Other duties as may reasonably be requested by the Principal.
• Be involved in trips and educational visits.

Qualifications & Experience

• Educated to degree standard or equivalent, ideally in English, maths 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
• Computer literate - must have good computer skills including a working knowledge of MS packages
• Experience with young people in an educational or training environment
• Experience of establishing and maintaining working relationships with a range of people
• Awareness of Health & 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

Next Steps

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

Before applying, please download the Job Pack for full details on the job responsibilities and person specification. You will need this when completing your application.

Please note: we may hold interviews as and when applications are received and we reserve the right to offer to a candidate prior to the closing date. We only accept applications submitted online via our careers website and which are completed before the closing deadline. With this in mind, we encourage you to apply as soon as possible and advise you check the job information as per the listing on our careers site.

Professional Development & Benefits

Our people are at the heart of our success. We have developed a strong culture of collaboration and best practice, with professional development and career planning at its centre. We invest in our staff with support, coaching, mentoring, and a wide range of top-quality training programmes delivered at every level to senior leadership.

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.

In addition to the opportunities for career progression, training and development, we also offer a competitive rewards and benefits package which includes our Harris Allowance, a Performance and Loyalty Bonus, Pension Scheme, a Wellbeing Cash Plan and many other benefits.

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. Before applying, please review our Policy Statement on the Recruitment of Ex-Offenders.

Equal Opportunities

The Harris Federation is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applications from all suitably qualified candidates.

As a provider of employment and education, we value the diversity of our staff and students, and all our staff are equally valued and respected. We are committed to providing a fair, equitable and mutually supportive learning and working environment for our students and staff.