Teaching Assistant - SEN

Job title: SEN Teaching Assistant 

Hours: 35 hours per week

Contract type: Full-time

Reporting to: Class teacher and Head teacher

Responsible for: (Areas of responsibilities will be decided on TA’s skills and expertise)

Main purpose 

The TA will:

•  Work with class teachers to raise the learning and attainment of pupils 
•  Promote pupils’ independence, self-esteem and social inclusion 
•  Give support to pupils, individually or in groups, so they can access the curriculum, take part in learning and experience a sense of achievement 
•  Support with planning, preparation and resourcing for lessons

Duties and responsibilities

Teaching and learning

•  Demonstrate an informed and efficient approach to teaching and learning by adopting relevant strategies to support the work of the teacher and increase achievement of all pupils including, where appropriate, those with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND)
•  Promote, support and facilitate inclusion by encouraging participation of all pupils in learning and extracurricular activities
•  Use effective behaviour management strategies consistently in line with the school’s policy and procedures 
•  Support class teachers with maintaining good order and discipline among pupils, managing behaviour effectively to ensure a good and safe learning environment
•  Organise and manage teaching space and resources to help maintain a stimulating and safe learning environment
•  Observe pupil performance and pass observations on to the class teacher
•  Supervise a class if the teacher is temporarily unavailable 
•  Use ICT skills to advance pupils’ learning 
•  Undertake any other relevant duties given by the class teacher
•  To cover and lead class teaching (under supervision) as and when appropriate
•  Direct the work, where relevant, of other adults in supported learning 
•  To mark pupils’ work under the direction of the class teacher 
•  Where appropriate to develop a relationship to foster links between home and school, and to keep the school informed of relevant information
•  To know and apply school policies on Child Protection, Health and Safety, Behaviour, Teaching and Learning, Equal Opportunities etc
•  To be aware of confidential issues linked to home/pupil/teacher/school
•  To be willing to support playground/break time supervision e.g. educational games, homework clubs etc 
•  To accompany teacher and pupils on educational visits 
•  To provide individual support, as required, during examination sessions
•  Help pupils with self-care, if or when required

Planning

•  Contribute to effective assessment and planning by supporting the monitoring, recording and reporting of pupil performance and progress as appropriate to the level of the role
•  Read and understand lesson plans shared prior to lessons, if available
•  Prepare the classroom for lessons
•  Use their area(s) of expertise to contribute to the planning and preparation of learning activities, and to plan their role in learning activities 
•  Use allocated time to devise clearly structured activities that interest and motivate learners and advance their learning
•  Plan how they will support the inclusion of pupils in the learning activities
• Working with colleagues and other relevant professionals
•  Communicate effectively with other staff members and pupils, and with parents and carers under the direction of the class teacher
•  Communicate their knowledge and understanding of pupils to other school staff and education, health and social care professionals, so that informed decision making can take place on intervention and provision
•  With the class teacher, keep other professionals accurately informed of performance and progress or concerns they may have about the pupils they work with
•  Understand their role in order to be able to work collaboratively with classroom teachers and other colleagues, including specialist advisory teachers
•  Collaborate and work with colleagues and other relevant professionals within and beyond the school
•  Develop effective professional relationships with colleagues
•  Where appropriate, to know and apply positive handling techniques  
• Whole-school organisation, strategy and development
•  Contribute to the development, implementation and evaluation of the school’s policies, practices and procedures, so as to support the school’s values and vision
•  Make a positive contribution to the wider life and ethos of the school

Health and safety

•  Promote the safety and wellbeing of pupils, and help to safeguard pupils’ well-being by following the requirements of Keeping Children Safe in Education and our school’s child protection policy 
•  Be mindful and empathetic towards vulnerable children, preserving their dignity and administering personal care when required 
•  Participate in risk assessments for individual pupils, groups and for activities (indoor & outdoor)

Professional development

•  Help keep their own knowledge and understanding relevant and up-to-date by reflecting on their own practice, liaising with school leaders, and identifying relevant professional development to improve personal effectiveness 
•  Take opportunities to build the appropriate skills, qualifications, and/or experience needed for the role, with support from the school 
•  Take part in the school’s appraisal procedures
• Personal and professional conduct 
•  Uphold public trust in the education profession and maintain high standards of ethics and behaviour, within and outside school
•  Have proper and professional regard for the ethos, policies and practices of the school, and maintain high standards of attendance and punctuality
•  Demonstrate positive attitudes, values and behaviours to develop and sustain effective relationships with the school community
•  Respect individual differences and cultural diversity 

Other areas of responsibility

•  Other responsibilities will be directed by the Head teacher, as and when required in meeting the needs of the pupils and organisation.

The TA will be required to safeguard and promote the welfare of children and young people and follow school policies and the staff code of conduct.

Please note that this is illustrative of the general nature and level of responsibility of the role. It is not a comprehensive list of all tasks that the teacher will carry out. The postholder may be required to do other duties appropriate to the level of the role, as directed by the headteacher or line manager.