Specialist Teaching Assistant for Specific Learning Difficulty (Dyslexia)

Post Reference: 2191

Academy: Leeds West Academy

Job Title: Specialist Teaching Assistant for Specific Learning Difficulty   (Dyslexia)

Grade: C1 - £22,183-£24,491 (Pro rata £8,522 to £9,340)

Hours: 2 days per week, Term Time Only plus 5 days

Accountable to: SENDCo 

Leeds West Academy is a school with a remarkable sense of community and a strong and safe culture, a place where staff and students can thrive.  We were judged as ‘Good’ by Ofsted in May 2019 because teaching is strong, the support we provide for our students and staff is unrivalled and because our results have improved year-on-year since 2016. In 2022, our students secured the best results in the school’s history. In short, there is no better time to join Leeds West Academy, as a colleague, a leader or as a student.   

Leeds West Academy is a fabulous place to work. We are a caring and supportive community, as part of White Rose Academies Trust and ground-breaking Luminate Education Group, we benefit from exceptional CPD like no other in the City. A broad, varied and highly bespoke package is well-established, driven by the latest in educational research focused on the development of all professionals in the organisation at each career stage. Colleagues train with us, they grow with us and they progress with us.   

Our academy predominantly serves the community of Bramley in Leeds. We are oversubscribed and popular within our community. More families are choosing Leeds West Academy as first-choice for their children than ever before.  

Our students are amazing; they are generally respectful young people who embrace diversity and have a strong sense of fairness.  

We benefit from world-class facilities, and are accommodated in a £30 million building, which opened in late 2011. Staff and students at the academy benefit from a bright, modern, heavily resourced learning environment, which is highly flexible to meet the needs of the 21st century learner.   

Role:  

To identify, refer and support students with a specific learning difficulty. To be responsible for helping to ensure that all students with a specific learning difficulty within the school make at least good progress. 

Duties and Responsibilities:  

• To work with the SENCo and external agencies to assess the needs of SPLD students

• To provide 1 to 1 and/or small group intervention for SPLD students as required

• To pay particular attention to the development of the students literacy and numeracy skills

• To help to develop resources, including resources on the virtual learning area, which support the progress of SEN students

• To provide advice and strategies to staff through CPD

• To offer advice to teaching staff to help them teach students with SPLD effectively

• To assess students using an internal SPLD assessment tool

• To use effective methods to track the progress of relevant students, and work with the SENCo to ensure that effective intervention is put in place when students are underachieving

• To attend relevant training in SPLD as and when required

• To encourage student participation in activities led by the teacher and interaction with others

• To establish good relationships with students, acting as a role model and being aware of and responding appropriately to individual needs

• To promote the inclusion and acceptance of all students

• To encourage students to act independently as appropriate

• To be aware of student problems/progress/achievements and report to the relevant member of staff

• To gather/report information from/to parents/carers as directed

• To provide clerical/administrative support - photocopying, typing, filing, collecting money etc.

• To support students in using basic ICT as directed

• To be aware of and comply with policies and procedures relating to child protection, health, safety and security, confidentiality, and data protection, reporting all concerns to an appropriate person 

Part of White Rose Academies Trust, Leeds West Academy is accelerating on a thrilling journey, which will ultimately see the school, its staff and its students, secure an Ofsted rating of ‘World Class’.    

We're securing our 2025 vision for ‘World Class’ by growing our family of exceptional education professionals; dedicated specialists and passionate leaders with the shared goal of transforming future prospects for the next generation of West Yorkshire.  

We provide exceptional life training; harnessing the skills and fortifying the aspirations of young people, who we know will transform the region and provide a positive, progressive contribution to society.  

White Rose Academies Trust is a local trust dedicated to raising and fulfilling the ambitions of young people. Our academies throughout Leeds are at the heart of the communities they serve, which is why we are committed to delivering an outstanding education to every one of our students.  

The trust currently employs over 400 outstanding professionals who are committed to unlocking the potential of the next generation. Our CPD Programme is focused on innovation, leadership development and delivery of excellence for vulnerable groups. Our Beginner Teacher Programme is amongst the best in the region. We are on a significant journey which will see all of our schools Ofsted rated as World Class within five years. 

Closing Date: Monday 12th December 2022       

Shortlisting Date: Tuesday 13th December 2022 

Interview Date: Thursday 15th December 2022   

Start Date: ASAP 

For more information, please visit our website at www.whiteroseacademies.org. 

To apply, please complete the application form and return to recruitment@whiteroseacademies.org by the closing date. Please note we are unable to accept CV’s.

White Rose Academies Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of its students and expects all staff and volunteers to share the commitment. Appointments will be subject to Safer Recruitment Procedures and an enhanced DBS check.

Please note this role will involve contact with children and you will be engaging in regulated activity. It is an offence to apply for the role if you are barred from engaging in regulated activity relevant to children.

We promote diversity and want a workforce which reflects the population of Leeds. Applications are welcome from all, irrespective of sex, sexuality, race, religion, marital status, age or disability.

PLEASE NOTE THE REQUIREMENT TO ATTACH YOUR APPLICATION FORM AS A SEPARATE DOCUMENT TO YOUR EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES FORM WHEN EMAILING YOUR APPLICATION TO US.