Higher Level Teaching Assistant - Focus:- Literacy Intervention

Downland School is a co-educational maintained community special school for pupils aged between 10 and 16 who have an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP). 

Our pupils have varying aptitudes and abilities; we are extremely proud of all their achievements and progress. Our pupils have a range of Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) including: Autism (ASC); attachment disorders and Social, Emotional Mental Health (SEMH) difficulties. We seek to ensure that, by the time they leave us, our pupils emerge as self-confident individuals able to manage their own learning; equipped with the skills and competencies to successfully take the next steps in their lives. 

We are a friendly, happy and caring school, providing a positive, inclusive and enriching educational experience for our young people. We view each of our pupils as unique and shape our provision to meet their individual needs and accelerate their progress in a variety of areas e.g. personal, social, academic and well-being. Our commitment to supporting the ‘whole’ child and their development is underpinned by our strong pastoral systems and our committed and trained staff. At Downland we promote inclusion and equality and celebrate diversity.

Our mission statement is ‘Aspire, Achieve and Thrive’

We are looking to appoint a Higher Level Teaching Assistant to enhance support to our pupils, either through dedicated 1:1 intervention/small group work. This post holder will primarily focus on literacy development.

Key areas of work will include:

• Supporting pupils learning, either in groups or 1;1 work. The exact tasks will depend on the needs of the pupil but may include:

• Supporting the development of skills in literacy and communication

• Differentiating work for individual pupils to suit their ability; to secure the development of literacy

• Ensuring pupils are able to use equipment and materials provided and develop the associated skills in literacy and communication

• Motivating pupils as they progress towards objectives described

• Liaising with teachers and all key staff to support progress towards objectives described in individual EHCP’s which are literacy focused

• Completing literacy assessments and disseminating information to staff

• Leading literacy sessions for staff, alongside colleagues

• Establishing a supportive relationship with pupils within the ‘Downland Way’ of working

• Reinforce the school ethos, e.g expectations of behaviour within class and elsewhere on the school site

• Supervising pupils on educational visits

• Contributing to the delivery of quality teaching and learning in the school by supporting the development of literacy for our pupils 

• Contributing to the planning of opportunities for pupils to learn in accordance with school policies and procedures

• Focusing on meeting the needs of the whole child’s development

• Showing enthusiasm and commitment to working with and raising achievement for pupils with SEMH 

You will be expected to actively demonstrate the school’s core values and promote ‘The 

Downland Way’

In return we will offer you:

• a forward thinking and inclusive school environment

• a friendly and supportive community

• an inclusive and caring ethos

• good professional development and learning opportunities

• a well equipped and safe working environment 

You will be expected to actively demonstrate the school’s core values.