Our friendly and caring TAs support our class teachers and work as a cohesive team. Whilst our TAs are required to work in any age group and generally across Sections our school, we are currently looking for support to start in January/February 2023 in our Upper School Section which comprises of Year 7 and Year 8.

The opportunity is term time only and required every day to enable support ideally between 08:30 and 16:10 (although we would be open to a finish time of 3pm if more suitable to candidates). The post is ordinarily full-time, but there might be a possibility on a ‘job share’ basis, providing a suitable working pattern can be established. When applying, please ensure you clearly state the hours you are seeking.

The Beacon is a large and vibrant independent day school for boys aged 3-13. The school occupies a 16-acre site half way between Amersham and Chesham, easily accessible from London by Metropolitan Line/Chiltern Railways and not far from the M25. We have superb facilities and resources that support a forward-looking educational environment, and we are immensely proud of our happy and supportive staff teams.

 IMPORTANT NOTE:

• The school is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. Safeguarding checks will be undertaken in accordance with School policy

• The safeguarding responsibilities of the post can be found in the job description and person specification in this recruitment pack

• The post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974.

The Role and Job Description

Role:                         Teaching Assistant

Hours:                       Full-time (Part-time job share possibility), 5 days per week starting at 08:30 and finishing at 16:10 (full time equivalent of 1.022 FTE) term time only OR 08:30 and finishing at 15:00 (full time equivalent of 0.86 FTE

Job Summary:         

To assist the Teacher in the provision of the curriculum and pastoral care. The successful applicant/s would be expected to work in a friendly, flexible and cohesive manner with teachers and fellow TAs, contributing positively to the happy environment and supporting the boys’ learning and pastoral care.  

Main Areas of Responsibility

Academic

•  To assist the Teacher with the delivery of lessons in line with the agreed curriculum and schemes of work;
• To assist the Teacher in the assessments of boys’ work;
• To work with groups of children in the class under the direction of the Teacher;
• To assist the teacher with daily reading and administrative tasks and ensure that the boys’ work is presented and maintained in an organised, appropriate and accessible format;
• To work closely in a team with other Teachers and Teaching Assistants, the Head of Department, the Heads of Section, and all members of the School Management Team;
• To liaise with the Teacher and the staff in the Learning Support Centre to ensure that the needs of all boys with SEN are met;
• To encourage and stimulate the boys to achieve excellence in all their endeavours and to expect high standards;
• To assist the Teacher to provide a comfortable, stimulating and well-organised classroom environment, with a high standard of display work on notice boards;

Pastoral

• To assist the Teacher in looking after the well-being and pastoral needs of the boys;
• To reinforce the aims of the school;
• To monitor closely the behaviour of the boys in the classes and deal with any inappropriate behaviour, in consultation with the Teacher and Head of Section if necessary;
• To encourage and reward the boys for good behaviour, using a variety of different and appropriate methods;
• To communicate effectively and regularly with the Teacher and other staff;
• To liaise with the Teacher, and the Head of Section, where necessary, and to liaise with the School Counsellor, where necessary;
• To maintain records and notes on pastoral issues in the school MIS

Departmental

• To work with the Teacher to ensure that all departmental requirements are being met;
• To keep the Teacher informed of any issues arising concerning boys in the class;
• To attend staff meetings, INSET sessions and other occasional training sessions of relevance
• To liaise with other Teaching Assistants and Teachers in the Section in order to ensure effective continuity at the end of the year;
• To review resources and ensure that stationery stock items are not running short.

Additional Duties/Responsibilities

• To ensure, at all times, absolute commitment to the safeguarding and promotion of the welfare of the boys at our school;
• To undertake break time and lunchtime duties on a rota basis;
• To supervise boys during Assemblies;
• To assist with the organisation and running of clubs, trips etc;
• If required, to assist with wrap around care, prep and after school clubs as appropriate (and on a paid over-time basis if in addition to normal hours of work);
• In all areas of school life, staff are expected to lead by example and demonstrate and uphold the values that we wish the boys to learn.

Safeguarding

Promoting and safeguarding the welfare of children and young persons for who you are responsible and with whom you come into contact; following the School’s safeguarding policy at all times and using the internal systems/contacting the DSL for monitoring safeguarding, wellbeing and pastoral issues

Note:

• The role will involve daily contact with children and a high level of responsibility for children. The role constitutes regulated activity with children. 
• In the role, you may also be required to undertake such other duties as the Head reasonably requires from time to time.

The Process

 The school is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children.

 All applicants must be prepared to undergo appropriate child protection screening, including checks with past employers and the Disclosure and Barring Service. The Beacon is an equal opportunities employer. References will be required and any relevant issues arising from such will be taken up at interview or a suitable point during the process.

 Candidates who have a disability or any other special requirements should let the school know if there are any reasonable adjustments they would like the school to make as part of this recruitment process.

 There is a requirement to complete the school’s Application Form. Please download from the School’s website send a copy of your completed Application Form and covering letter by e-mail to: recruitment@beaconschool.co.uk

 The closing date for receipt of applications is Sunday 04 December 2022, and interviews will be held over the following 1 / 2 weeks.