Teaching Assistant - Learning Mentor (Special school)

Downland School is a co-educational maintained community special school for pupils aged between 10 and 16 who have an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP).

Our pupils have varying aptitudes and abilities; we are extremely proud of all their achievements and progress. Our pupils have a range of Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) including: Autism (ASC); attachment disorders and Social, Emotional Mental Health (SEMH) difficulties. We seek to ensure that, by the time they leave us, our pupils emerge as self-confident individuals able to manage their own learning; equipped with the skills and competencies to successfully take the next steps in their lives.

We are a friendly, happy and caring school, providing a positive, inclusive and enriching educational experience for our young people. We view each of our pupils as unique and shape our provision to meet their individual needs and accelerate their progress in a variety of areas e.g. personal, social, academic and well-being. Our commitment to supporting the ‘whole’ child and their development is underpinned by our strong pastoral systems and our committed and trained staff. At Downland we promote inclusion and equality and celebrate diversity.

Our mission statement is ‘Aspire, Achieve and Thrive’.

We are now looking to trial the role of a Teaching Assistant - Learning Mentor, who is an excellent practitioner with a proven track record. You should be able to plan, prepare and deliver learning activities in and out of the school environment for pupils within the school. Monitoring, assessing, recording and reporting on pupils’ achievement, progress and development. Pupils can display challenging and oppositional behaviour.

This is an exciting opportunity to join our enthusiastic, committed and professional team and to support pupils from age 10 to 16. Please note that this is a trial role up to 31/08/2025.

Key areas of work will include:

·               Responsible for supervision and management of pupils in and out of school environment, using detailed knowledge and specialist skills to support pupils' engagement and learning. Within an agreed system of supervision, support the planning of challenging teaching and learning objectives to evaluate and adjust sessions as appropriate.

·               Organise and manage appropriate learning environment and resources. Manage record keeping systems and processes specific to this type of work, to include evidence of progress with reference to a pupils ECHP outcomes.

·               Establish productive working relationships with pupils, acting as a role model and setting high expectations.  Encourage pupils to interact positively and work co-operatively. Provide feedback to pupils in relation to progress and achievement.

·               Promote independence and employ strategies to recognise and reward achievement of self-reliance. Challenge and motivate pupils, promote and reinforce self-esteem.

·               Take a lead role in delivering the provision of 1:1 support for pupils with special educational needs who require individualised learning. Manage and deliver support to such pupils.

·               Collaborate with a multi-disciplinary team, assist parents in their child's learning, and participate in meetings with parents to provide updates on student progress and achievements. Engage in discussions with other relevant agencies as needed.

·               Assist a designated SLT Lead to produce lesson materials, tasks, worksheets and learning strategies and other appropriate resources. Learning may be away from the main school site.

·               Assist the Lead SLT member in development and implementation of Individual Education/Behaviour/Support Mentoring Plans. Work with other staff in planning, evaluating and adjusting learning activities as appropriate.

·               Provide administrative support if required e.g. dealing with correspondence, compilation, analysis, reporting on attendance, making phone calls, supporting links with outside agencies appropriate to individual pupils. Regular liaison with Assistant Head Teacher, Head of SEND and Send Lead worker.

·               Participating in training and other learning activities as required.

·               Comply with policies and procedures relating to Child Protection, Health & Safety and security, personal safety, confidentiality and data protection, reporting concerns to an appropriate person. Contribute to overall ethos/work/aims of the school.

Enthusiasm and commitment to working with pupils with SEND is paramount to us; you will be expected to actively demonstrate the school’s core values and embrace ‘The Downland Way’.

 To apply, you should submit a letter addressed to Mrs Keily-Theobald (Headteacher) of no more than two sides of A4 with your application form addressing the requirements of the post, as outlined in the Job Description and the Person Specification provided. We are particularly interested in how you would undertake this role at Downland School and about your relevant skills, qualities and experience to date. Applications received without a supporting letter will not be considered and CVs will not be accepted.

Please email completed application forms and your covering letter to Tanya Rhodes, HR, Admin Lead and Deputy Finance & Estate Manager, at tanyarhodes@downland.wilts.sch.uk  

We welcome visits to the school. Please contact Tanya Rhodes if you would like to arrange a visit in advance of applying.

Applications must be received by 9.00am on 03 March 2025. Shortlisted candidates will be contacted by e-mail. If you do not hear from us by end of 05 March 2025, please assume that your application has not been successful on this occasion. Interview date w/b 10 March 2025. Start date tbc.

Downland School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Please note that this appointment is subject to enhanced DBS, medical and reference checks before appointment is confirmed.