Teaching Assistant

Responsible to:

The Head Teacher, Deputy Head Academic, Deputy Head Pastoral, Deputy Head Standards and Co-curricular, and Head of Key Stage 1 & 2 and/or Head of EYFS.

Main Duties and Responsibilities:

To aid children to learn as effectively as possible both in group situations and on his/her own by, for example:

Clarifying and explaining instructions. 

Supervise whole classes for short periods of time.

Ensuring each child is able to use the equipment and materials provided. Motivating and encouraging the children as required by providing levels of individual attention, reassurance, and help with learning tasks as appropriate to children's needs.

Assisting in weaker areas, e.g. speech and language.

Using praise, commentary, and assistance to encourage the children to concentrate and stay on task.

Liaising with class teacher, Individual Learning teacher and other professionals about individual education plans, contributing to the planning and delivery as appropriate. Providing additional nurture to individuals when requested by the class teacher or Individual Learning teacher.

Consistently and effectively implementing agreed behaviour management strategies. Helping to make and prepare appropriate resources to support the children under the direction of the teacher.

To establish supportive relationships with the child concerned.

To encourage children to interact with each other in an appropriate and acceptable manner.

Monitor the child’s response to the learning activities and, where appropriate, modify or adapt the activities as agreed with the teacher to achieve the intended learning outcomes.

To give positive encouragement, feedback and praise to reinforce and sustain the child’s efforts and develop self-reliance and self-esteem.

Under the direction of the teacher, carry out and report on systematic observations of children to gather evidence of their knowledge, understanding and skills upon which the teacher makes judgements about their stage of development.

Where appropriate, to know and apply positive handling techniques.

To know and apply school policies on Safeguarding, Health and Safety, Behaviour, Teaching and Learning, Equal Opportunities etc.

To contribute towards reviews of the children’s progress as appropriate.

To take part in training activities offered by the school to further their knowledge and skills of working with a child of all abilities.

To accompany teachers and children on educational visits.

Take into account the child’s special educational needs and ensure their access to the lesson and its content through appropriate clarification, explanations, equipment and materials and use of data.

Help reinforce and promote independent learning and social skills by supporting children in groups.

Implement behaviour management policies in accordance with guidance provided by the teacher.

Attend formal and informal meetings with teachers to contribute to planning lessons/ activities.

Take every opportunity to develop children’s language, reading, mathematics and related skills as directed by subject specific teachers.

Carry out structured classroom assessment /observation and feedback outcomes.

To be involved in keeping records and evaluating identified a child’s progress. Support the use of ICT in the classroom and develop children's competence and independence in its use.

Assist with the medical needs of children identified.

Care for the children at all times, including the dressing and undressing, toileting and cleaning of pupils where necessary.

Deliver intervention programmes where necessary.

Attend relevant school meetings as required.

Respect confidentiality at all times.

All Teaching Assistants are also expected to carry out any reasonable additional duties as requested by The Senior Leadership Team.

The list is not exclusive or exhaustive and the post holder will be required to undertake such tasks as may be reasonably expected within the scope of the post. Job descriptions should be regularly reviewed to ensure they are accurate. 

The post-holder may also be required to carry out other duties appropriate to the post, as agreed and arranged by the School.