Reception Teaching Assistant

Wetherby Kensington provides an environment that promotes educational excellence and tradition through a forward-thinking, holistic curriculum within which the needs of individual pupils are fostered.

Wetherby Kensington is a school for boys from Reception to Year 3 and is two form entry per year group. The boys receive high levels of academic education and pastoral care. The Wetherby Kensington boys begin their learning journey in Reception and can stay at Wetherby Kensington until they are eight years old. Wetherby Kensington can be found in Wetherby Gardens and is in a conservation area. The school overlooks the beautiful Wetherby Gardens.

With the opening of the Preparatory School in 2004, Wetherby boys have the opportunity to proceed through, or sit a competitive exam for, a London Day School. The adopted motto of Wetherby Kensington is ‘Care, share and be fair’. These are the underlying principles of all that we stand for at Wetherby Kensington. Every boy is encouraged to be the best that he can be and every member of staff is committed to enabling each individual to fulfil his potential and achieve his goal. The school is a happy and vibrant one, an energetic and forward learning environment, whilst retaining the best of educational traditions.

We are looking to appoint Reception Teaching Assistant for September 2024!

MAIN AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY 

• To support the classroom teacher at all times.
• To work with the class teacher to foster a warm, caring and friendly environment for the children within the classroom.
• To work with the class teacher in preparing work for the boys, putting up displays and assisting as required within the classroom.
• To carry out delegated tasks set by the class teacher.
• To help ensure that pupils make the maximum amount of progress possible in each lesson.
• Provide detailed and regular feedback about the boys to the teacher.
• To have an understanding of the EYFS and ensure that learners have the opportunity to reach their maximum potential and attain the greatest possible outcome from each lesson.
• To take particular responsibility for hearing the children read on a daily basis, updating their reading records and general monitoring that they are reading books at a level appropriate to their needs.
• To provide the necessary pastoral care to enable boys to feel secure and happy.
• To support the boys in a range of situations on and off site.
• To conduct lessons (if required) according to the agreed policy and syllabus.
• To maintain discipline in accordance with school policies at all times and to encourage positive practise in relation to general behaviour and approach to school life.
• To work as part of a team with the teachers and assistants within the assigned year group and the rest of the school staff.
• To maintain cordial and informative relationships with parents.
• To provide support for the children in a broad range of situations both on and off-site.
• To attend all offsite gym lessons and play sessions

OTHER DUTIES

•  To attend all staff meetings, parent evenings (as appropriate), INSET (internal and external as requested).
•  To participate in (and where appropriate contribute to) the general well-being of the staff and school so as to maintain and improve the performance of the school for the benefit of all concerned.
•  To support the pupils and school as a whole, by attending school productions, functions and any events as requested.
•  To keep abreast of all policies of the school and to be aware of problems with individual pupils so that communication between colleagues for their general well-being is consistent.
•  To share in the responsibility for covering colleagues in their absence.
•  To keep parents and pupils informed of all school notices and special events.
•  To comply with all legal requirements such as register of attendance and Health and Safety regulations.
•  To carry out tasks as delegated by the Headmistress or senior leadership team.
•  To attend professional development courses to further knowledge and expertise as and when appropriate.
•  The teaching assistant shall devote the whole of their working time and attention to the affairs of the school and shall not undertake any extraneous activities which could in the opinion of the Head, interfere with the efficient discharge of the teacher’s duties at School.
•  Responsibility for promoting and safeguarding the welfare of children and young people for whom you are responsible, or with whom you come into contact in the school. It is your responsibility to adhere to and ensure compliance with the school’s Safeguarding Policy at all times. 

Note: This job description is indicative of the duties and responsibilities of the post but does not form part of any contract of employment. All jobs within the school evolve over time and their features vary from year to year.

Candidate specification:

•  A genuine interest in, and enthusiasm for, working with children.
• A hands on approach.
•  A commitment to participating in the extra-curricular life of the school.
• A sympathy for the Catholic ethos of the school.
• An interest in developing professional competence through INSET.
• A capacity for working as a member of a team. Initiative and flexibility
• Good organisational and communication skills.