Learning Support Assistant

The successful candidate will work with and supervise individuals and groups of students under the direction/instruction of teaching and senior learning staff, inclusive of specific individual learning needs, enabling access to learning for all students and providing assistance and support in classroom management and behaviour techniques.

Duties and Responsibilities:

SUPPORT FOR THE STUDENT

• Establish good working relationships with students, acting as a role model

• Be aware of and respond appropriately to individual student needs ensuring effective interaction

• Provide specific support to students dependent upon their individual needs ensuring their safety whilst supporting access to learning activities, under the direction of the teacher/other senior learning staff.

• Promote inclusion and acceptance of all students

• Encourage students to interact with others and engage in activities led by the teacher

• To maximise the progress of individual students against local and national targets.

• Promote self-esteem and independence

• Provide feedback to students in relation to progress and achievement under the guidance and direction of the teacher

• To provide one to one support in either a care or special needs capacity for individual students, as directed by the teacher

SUPPORT FOR THE TEACHER

• Provide clerical support (e.g. photocopying, filing, data input, collecting money etc.)

• Assist with the display of students' work

• Create and maintain a purposeful, orderly and supportive environment, in accordance with lesson plans

• In liaison with the teacher/other senior learning staff, utilise strategies to support students in achieving learning goals

• Report student achievement, progress and issues as appropriate in agreed format

• Undertake student record keeping as requested

• Administer routine tests and invigilate exams as directed.

• Promote good student behaviour, dealing with conflict and incidents and encouraging students to take responsibility for their own behaviour in line with established academy policy

• Establish constructive relationships with parents/carers and communicate information as required.

• There may be a need to assist with personal care due to medical needs.

SUPPORT FOR THE CURRICULUM

• Undertake structured and agreed learning activities/learning programmes, taking into consideration student learning styles, including small group work

• Undertake literacy/numeracy programmes, recording achievements and progress and providing appropriate reports and feedback for the teacher

• Support the use of ICT in learning activities and develop students’ competence and independence in its use

• Prepare, maintain levels and use equipment/resources required to meet the lesson plans/relevant learning activity and assist students in their use

SUPPORT FOR THE SCHOOL

• Be aware of and comply with school policies and procedures relating to child protection, health, safety and security, confidentiality and data protection.  Report all concerns to the appropriate person (as named in the policy concerned)

• Be aware of and support difference and ensure all students have equal access to opportunities to learn and develop

• Contribute to the academy ethos, aims and development/improvement plan

• Have an awareness of and support the role of other colleagues

• Attend relevant meetings as required

• Participate in training and other learning activities as required

• Assist with the supervision of students out of directed lesson time, including before and after school and lunchtime if appropriate and within working hours

• Accompany teaching staff and students on visits, trips and out of school activities as required

• High expectations of all students; respect for their social, cultural, linguistic, religious and ethnic backgrounds; and commitment to raising their educational achievements

• To be responsible for improving your own practice through observation, evaluation and discussion

• To comply with the Data Protection Act and academy policies and procedures

• The post holder may reasonably be expected to undertake other duties commensurate with the level of responsibility that may be allocated from time to time.

• To comply with the academy’s Health and Safety Policy and associated safe working procedures and guidelines.

• To comply with the academy’s Equality Policy and to ensure that it is implemented within the service area of the post.

• To comply with the academy’s Data Protection Policy and Code of Practice within the service area of the post

This post is subject to satisfactory Enhanced Disclosure & Barring Service Checks

The details contained within this job description reflect the content of the job at the date it was prepared.  However, it is inevitable that over time, the nature of the job may change.  Existing duties may no longer be required and other duties may be gained without changing the general nature of the post or the level of responsibility entailed.  Consequently, the academy will expect to revise this job description from time to time and will consult the post holder/s at the appropriate time.

Safeguarding Statement

The Challenge Academy Trust are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. The Challenge Academy Trust ensure that all our recruitment and selection practices reflect this commitment.