Teaching Assistant / Support

Closing date: Friday 10 May 2024

Interview date: Wednesday 15 May 2024

Job Type:  – Full time

Pay: 19K - 24K dependent upon experience

Start date: Sept 2024

Normal hours: 8.30-4pm (Staff training Wednesday 4.30pm finish)

Strive for Education (Strive) is a small Independent Special School in Harrogate town centre that provide education for those who do not attend mainstream school on a full-time basis or who have a specialist provision named in their EHCP.

Strive started its life as Alternative Provision in 2020, set up by Andy and Sonja Brown. Andy has previously worked in local secondary schools and whilst Assistant Headteacher he saw a need for a setting such as Strive in the Harrogate area. Andy is Headteacher and Sonja manages the Operations and Business side of things. In February 2023 Strive achieved its Independent Special School status, this was a huge milestone for the team.

We have a capacity for 24 students, in small class sizes of no more than 6 students in each class. We had our first Ofsted inspection in November 2023 and to say that we were proud of the team, young people and the result is a massive understatement. Details of the report can be found here: 10299270 – Strive for Education – 149401 final PDF

Strive has a small but growing team, all of whom have the best interests of our young people in their heart, we are looking to expand staff capacity by employing an additional member of student support. Strive seeks applications from applicants with integrity, imagination and energy for this exciting role.

The role would require supporting students in a 1:1/small group environment. The applicant would carry out specific tasks with the young person(s) and would plan, prepare and deliver sessions that would be tailored towards meeting personal objectives outlined in their EHCP. Experience in working with young people with ASD/SEMH would be beneficial. Additional aspects would be to help support young people in a classroom environment with other students.

The role will also involve off-site support when assisting sports, OAA, woodwork, bike mechanics, construction and cookery. Experience in these practical subjects would be beneficial but not essential and having the ability to drive would also be desirable. 

This will be a challenging but rewarding environment, working with young people who may struggle to regulate their emotions at times. Students will at times present challenging behaviours and staff must have the confidence and emotional resilience to deal with this. Staff training and peer support is very important to Strive and the applicant will always feel supported in all that they do.

Student Needs:

All students will have some form of SEND needs. Most will either be categorised as Social Emotional & Mental Health (SEMH) or Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Most need extra support to access their work and help and guidance to manage emotions is often needed. Some students experience difficulties that regularly interfere with their social and learning development and have been directed to access specialist provision to receive this support.

Purpose of the Role:

Working under the guidance of senior staff, Teaching Assistants play an important role in supporting and leading the academic and personal development of students both in and out of the classroom. This role can involve supervising small groups or individuals, maintaining good order and implementing agreed programmes of work. Teaching Assistants at this level will use their detailed and specialist knowledge to assist the teacher and support other members of staff.

Support for Students:

• Establish good relationships with students, acting as a role model and being aware of and responding appropriately to individual needs
• Attend to students’ personal needs including social, health, physical, hygiene, first aid and welfare matters
• Supervise and support students ensuring their safety and access to learning
• Use specialist knowledge and experience to support students to learn in line with their individual learning plans or targets
• Provide feedback to students in relation to progress, achievement, behaviour and attendance
• Encourage students to interact and work cooperatively and employ strategies to recognise and reward achievement of self-reliance
• Develop 1:1 mentoring relationships with students and provide appropriate support at times of crisis

Support for Teachers:

• Work with the teacher to establish a purposeful orderly and productive learning environment
• Work with the teacher and other staff in lesson planning, evaluating and adjusting lesson plans and resources as appropriate
• Monitor, evaluate and evidence students’ progress and provide accurate information and analysis when required
• Promote and maintain health and safety through the pro-active management of student behaviour dealing promptly with incidents and issues in line with school policies
• Establish constructive relationships with parents and carers, exchanging information sensitively and effectively in a range of matters including progress, behaviour and attendance
• Liaise with other professionals and services as appropriate
• Administer and assess routine tests and invigilate when required
• Provide general administrative support and assist with the development of a range of plans and monitoring systems

Other:

• Contribute to the overall ethos, work and aims of Strive
• Establish constructive relationships and communicate with other professionals to support the progress of students
• Be aware of and support difference and ensure all students have equal access to opportunities to learn and develop
• Recognise own strengths and areas of expertise and use these to advise and support others
• Attend and participate in relevant meetings and training as required
• Assist with the supervision of students on off-site activities
• Supervise students at lunch and break times
• Be responsible for maintaining and updating records, information and data in line with policies

NOTE: This position is paid over 12 months but contracted to work 39 weeks with 5.6 weeks paid holidays.

Further details regarding the tole can be found on our website or on the supplementary documents associated with this TES job advert.

How to apply

Applicants are asked to submit their completed application forms via the TES application form. Successfully shortlisted applicants will be contacted to discuss interview details.