Teaching Assistant (Full Time), Pre-Preparatory School required from mid February 2023

HIGHGATE PRE-PREPARATORY SCHOOL

The Pre-Preparatory School is housed in its own building in Bishopswood Road, adjacent to the school’s playing fields. The Pre-Prep is an academically selective, coeducational school and has approximately 150 pupils. The school is two form entry and takes pupils from Nursery (age 3) to Year Two when it is expected that they will transfer to Highgate Junior School. 

 THE ROLE 

Working under the direction of the Class Teacher the Teaching Assistant will support the children and help to carry out the following range of duties, maintaining the high standards expected at the School.

 MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES

 Classroom Environment and Resources

• Help to provide a stimulating learning environment for the children under the direction of the teacher
• Welcome the children into the classroom on arrival and assist with settling them in. Relay to the class teacher any messages given by parents
• Change reading books in book folders; prepare record sheets in reading file
• Mount and display the children's work in accordance with the School’s display policy. Assist with captions and labels for displays
• File learning in children’s books and prepare resources for assembly in accordance with the class teacher’s instructions
• Prepare reading record books, exercise books, homework folders, tray and peg labels in collaboration with the class teacher
• Assist in the clearing up, cleaning and storage of classroom equipment, including clearing display boards and removing staples
• Maintain stocks of paper, exercise books, pencils, art and writing materials in the classroom and advise teacher if stocks run low
• Photocopy worksheets for use in school and for homework
•  File homework sheets in children’s files
•  Help with preparation and clearing away of art and craft, science and other activities

 Care of Children in the School

• Take care of children in the classroom and school building; comfort them when they are sick and distressed; assisting them with washing or cleaning when necessary (e.g. after being sick); encourage independence in dressing; give individual attention when it is needed
•  Administer basic first aid when the children are hurt and record such incidents in the School’s accident book
•  Encourage good discipline and behaviour both in and out of the classroom, in accordance with the School’s policy
• Observe any children closely, and report any incidences of aggressive or anti-social behaviour, or any other concerns about individuals, to the class teacher

 Care of Children in the Dining Hall and Main Playground

• Provide continuity of care for the children throughout the lunch-time breaks and, if required, during mid-morning breaks, too; accompany the class to the dining room, sit with the children at the table and help to serve them
• Organise and supervise a range of activities in the playground, including games and quiet activities; help children acquire strategies for coping with the playground environment; make sure that they are safe, obey the playground rules and learn the arts of co-operation and fair play

 The Curriculum and Children’s Learning

• Help with all aspects of the curriculum; work as needed with individual children and groups, encouraging the development of children's skills particularly in literacy, mathematics
• Together with the class teacher, hear children read individually and in a group on a daily basis and help to monitor theirprogress, keeping careful records

 Assessment and Record Keeping

• Make observations of the children's play and behaviour and discuss any significant matters with the Teacher

 Parents

• Welcome parents who visit the classroom and work closely with them
•  Liaise with parents over day-to-day matters and relay messages to the Class Teacher

 Accompanying Children

• Take children to the Mallinson Sports Centre and help them to prepare for Sport and Exercise and swimming lessons; accompany small groups of children on walks; develop their interest in their local environment; assist on school visits and outings; all in accordance with the guidelines set out in the School’s health and safety document

Team Work

• Provide reliable support for the Class Teacher at all times; keep them informed of all matters that affect the children; join in professional discussions and staff meetings after-school; be willing to work with other teachers and children
• Assist with plays and productions, Sports Day, concerts, Open Days and other school events
• Accompany classes on outings, staying on occasions beyond the end of the usual working day for this purpose
• If required, undertake to help within the broader context of the School, carrying out other reasonable duties to support its smooth and efficient organisation

These duties and responsibilities are intended as a guide. They are not exhaustive: the Teaching Assistant will be expected to undertake any reasonable task or responsibility as required by the Class Teacher.

Highgate School supports anonymous recruitment. This means we hide your personal, identifying information to remove bias from the hiring process. We encourage applications from candidates who experience barriers and inequity due to their ethnicity, gender identity, physical or mental health, sexuality, and/or socio-economic background.

 Highgate is committed to the safeguarding and welfare of children. Applicants must be willing to undergo child protection screening appropriate to this post, including checks with past employers, overseas police check if necessary and the Disclosure and Barring Service.

 Please note that this role is ‘exempt’ from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and therefore, you are required to declare any convictions, cautions, reprimands and final warnings that are not ‘protected’ (i.e. filtered out) as defined by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (as amended in 2013). Shortlisted candidates will be asked to provide details of all unspent convictions and those that would not be filtered, prior to the date of the interview.