Learning Support Assistant Part Time- Prep School

Culford School are looking for a Learning Support Assistant - Prep School.

• Part Time, 20 hours per week Monday - Friday
• 34 weeks per year plus INSET days
• Hours 08:30 to 12:30, subject to agreement
• Start Date: September 2024

Culford is a boarding and day school for over 800 children aged 1 to 18, set in 480 acres of beautiful Suffolk parkland, with an 18th century grade II mansion at its centre and three separate schools: the Pre-Prep & Nursery (ages 1 to 7); the Prep (ages 7 to 13); and the Senior School (ages 13 to 18).

We believe in educating the whole person to deliver a well-rounded, fulfilled individual with excellent academic results. Everything we do is informed by our firm belief that learning should be challenging, enriching and fun. Culford is a Christian school with a Methodist tradition. We see education as a transformational process that guides pupils towards academic success, clear moral values, and the development of leadership and a readiness for the world of adulthood.

The Role

This is an exciting position in the Prep School for a candidate who would like a broad and varied role within a school setting. The successful candidate will be committed to providing proactive support to our youngest learners, and to colleagues in the Prep School.

Culford seeks to be a flexible, innovative, dynamic and resilient organisation and to develop these attributes in its pupils and staff. All staff are expected, therefore, to demonstrate these qualities in their work and attitudes.

A warm, caring character balancing a professional and learning-focused attitude will get the best out of pupils. Strong ICT skills are essential along with a problem solving approach and a can do attitude.

The duties and responsibilities comprise of two main parts:

LSA support for Lower Prep pupils. This may include:

• Assisting in the classroom during lessons, planning and delivering interventions with small groups or individuals, and supporting pupils with their reading.
• Monitoring and evaluating pupils’ responses to learning activities through observation and recording achievement against predetermined learning objectives
• Supporting the management of pupil behaviour
• Providing verbal feedback to pupils in relation to progress and achievement
• Providing objective and accurate feedback for teaching staff
• Being responsible for keeping and updating records as agreed with the teacher and contributing to the review of systems/records as needed

Cover supervision

• Primarily teachers cover absent colleagues for lessons and duties but in times of need cover supervision will be required.

The Person

Qualifications and Training

• Highly proficient skills in English and Maths
• High levels of competency in Microsoft Office and/or Google Suite for Education
• Willing to undertake necessary training when required
• No formal TA, HLTA or teaching qualifications are required though these may be seen as an advantage

Experience

• Experience working directly with children or a role within a school setting is essential
• Solid work history

Person Skills and Attributes

• Excellent communication skills
• Articulate, bright and able to learn quickly
• Proactive, enthusiastic and hardworking
• Welcoming and approachable team player
• Sensitive and effective communication skills
• Smart and professional in appearance
• Discreet and able to maintain confidentiality
• The ability to prioritise and meet deadlines
• Confidence to deal calmly with difficult issues
• Confidence to challenge and improve systems

Terms and Conditions

• Working hours: 20 hours per week Monday to Friday – subject to agreement
• Salary: Dependent upon experience
• Start Date: September 2024
• May Day is a working day. The position is term time plus inset days. No holidays can be taken during the school year.
• Benefits: include pension scheme; membership of Culford Sports and Tennis Centre; free lunch provided when the dining hall is open: free parking on site, Life Insurance and Medicash Cash Plan after 6 months

Reports to: Head of Lower Prep

How to Apply

To apply for this position please visit the Work For Us page on our website and complete a Culford Application Form. Please note applications will not be accepted without a completed Culford Application Form.

Applicants must be living in the UK and be able to provide suitable evidence of their Right To Work in the UK.

If you have any questions regarding the position please email loretta.holden@culford.co.uk

The closing date for applications is Monday 22nd April 2024. Interviews are scheduled for the week commencing 29th April 2024. Early applications are encouraged and the School reserves the right to interview before this date to ensure successful recruitment.

As an equal opportunities employer, we are committed to the equal treatment of all current and prospective employees and does not condone discrimination on the basis of age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity, race or ethnicity, religion or belief, gender identity, or marriage and civil partnership.

We aspire to have a diverse and inclusive workplace and strongly encourage suitably qualified applicants from a wide range of backgrounds.

Culford School puts at the centre of its operation the safeguarding of the pupils of the school and encourage a culture of challenge to ensure the risks of harm to the pupils’ individual welfare are minimised.

Successful applicants must complete mandatory pre-employment training in safeguarding and other key areas before commencement of employment.

This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. Applicants will undergo appropriate child protection screening; pre-employment checks will be carried out; references will be sought and successful candidates will be subject to an enhanced DBS check and other relevant checks with statutory bodies.

We comply with the Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) code of practice and have a written policy on the recruitment of ex-offenders, both of which are available on request. If shortlisted, you are required to declare any relevant convictions, adult cautions or other matters which may affect your suitability to work with children. As a result of amendments to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (exceptions order 1975) in 2013 and 2020, some minor offences are now protected (filtered) and should not be disclosed to potential employers, and employers cannot take these offences into account.

If you are unsure whether you need to disclose criminal information, you should seek legal advice or you may wish to contact Nacro or Unlock for impartial advice. There is more information on filtering and protected offences on the Ministry of Justice website.