Teaching Assistant SEND + Autism

COMPELLING VISION FOR SUCCESS

Beal High School (part of Beacon Multi-Academy Trust)

Beacon Campus

Teaching Assistant – SEN and Autism

Salary: LBR Grade 3 – points 14 to 17 ( £21,591 - £21,981 FTE)

Required: ASAP

We have a very successful provision for secondary aged students with Autistic Spectrum Disorders. Our students work within the purpose-built provision on the main school site and where appropriate in the mainstream school. Students are also involved in a range of social and extra-curricular activities with their mainstream peers.

We are seeking to recruit a passionate and empathetic teaching assistant. You will need to be flexible, possess a variety of skills and be willing to undertake a variety of activities with our students.

The successful candidates will have:

• Experience of students with special needs
• The ability to support our students in their mainstream lessons
• Provide in class support in the provision
• Knowledge of Autism and communication difficulties or a commitment to training

The Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of young people and expects all members of staff to share this commitment. The below documents must be read prior to applying for this role and will be factored into interviews:

• Keeping Children Safe in Education
• BMAT – Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy, available on our website

An Enhanced DBS (with list checks) is required for this post.

‘A specialist secondary provision for students with Autism and Asperger Syndrome’

Our Aims

Provide an Autism friendly environment where our students are happy and stimulated.

Enable students to access mainstream opportunities appropriate to their educational and emotional needs.

Establish awareness in the wider school community about diversity, so that our students are valued.

Offer a broad, balanced curriculum that is Autism friendly and emphasises communication, social skills, autonomy and self-advocacy to prepare our students for the opportunities, responsibilities and experiences of adult life.

Key Stage 3 Curriculum

Classes are small and usually have between 6 and 8 students. The class does most of their learning in their class base with their teacher and Teaching assistant.

Our Key Stage 3 curriculum consists of:

• English
• Maths
• Science
• ICT
• History, Geography and RE
• Music, Art and Drama
• Modern foreign language experiences
• Social Skills
• PSHE
• PE

All students are linked to a mainstream tutor group and will be timetabled to access some appropriate subjects in mainstream.

Key Stage 4 Curriculum

Our Key Stage 4 curriculum has an emphasis on preparing students for moving onto college and becoming adults. We do this through nationally recognised accreditation, work experience opportunities, local college link courses and curriculum enrichment opportunities.

In Key Stage 4 students will work towards the ‘Entry level’ and Level 1 qualifications in English, maths and science.

In addition students study:

• ICT
• History, Geography and RE
• Music, Art and Drama
• Modern foreign language experiences
• Social Skills and life skills
• PSHE
• PE
• Higher Level Qualifications

Some students may also access the mainstream school for GCSE and BTEC level 2 qualifications.

6th Form

Programme of study:

• Life skills course: ASDAN Personal and Social Development at Entry level 1, 2 or 3.
• Functional Skills ICT
• Music, drama and art
• Cooking
• Leisure PE

Other activities:

• Speech and language therapy
• Attend a local college one day a week
• Practise independent travel skills
• Take part in a residential
• Access work experience opportunities, usually one day a week.
• Provide support through the application, interview and orientation process for moving to college.
• Speech Therapy

Our Speech and Language Therapists are integral members of our staff team and focus on developing the students’ social communication and language skills.

Other External Agencies

• We regularly work with agencies:
• Connexions
• CAMHS
• Social Services
• Education Psychology Service
• Health Professionals
• Plus any other agencies or professionals involved with our students.
• Extra-Curricular and Enrichment Activities

We are able to offer students a wide and varied programme of extra-curricular and enrichment activities throughout Key stages 3, 4 and 5 and an after school Youth Club and Holiday Club.

Person Specification:

Essential:

• Qualification at Level 2 (Grace C or Above) in English, Maths and Science.
• ICT Skills and knowledge and demonstrable experience of young people with special educational needs or autism.
• Able to work effectively in a team and contribute to its success
• Good written English and effective communication skills
• Reliable, respectful, responsible & conscientious approach
• Flexibility to deal with diverse needs of the post
• Establish and maintain appropriate relationships
• High level of initiative and ability to work independently

Desirable:

• NVQ 3 or equivalent qualification
• Knowledge or experience of Autism and Asperger Syndrome.