Teaching Assistant

TEACHING ASSISTANT

Salary Grade: WHFNJC L

Salary Band: £16,645 - £19,121 per annum 

Location: St. Luke's Academy

Contract Type: Term Time Only

Contract Term: Permanent

Closing Date: Sunday 5 June 2022

Hours: 34.5 pw

Start: ASAP

Please note: Should a suitable candidate be identified before the closing date, the vacancy may be closed early.

About the Opportunity

St Luke’s is a vibrant, thriving and rapidly improving specialist school, providing education for children with social, emotional and mental health difficulties.




We are committed to achieving academic standards and individual growth of every child.  We have a very motivated staff who create an inspirational learning environment.




We have fun while we work, so a good sense of humour is important! We are a tight, close community at St Luke’s and we all look out for each other.




Most of our students have social, emotional, and mental health difficulties rather than overt physical disabilities.


Who We’re Looking For

This is an excellent opportunity for someone with good interpersonal skills, confidence and the ability to relate well to students professionally.




You will be passionate, driven and have:




Excellent communications skills

Experience of working with children/young people who display challenging behaviour

The ability to build a professional relationship, encouraging our students to access the curriculum

A professional and flexible approach

A readiness to get involved and get stuck in

Strong team work skills

An interest in running additional activities, where your passions can be shared

Ability to set high expectations for all




This is a great opportunity for those experienced in working with children/young people who display challenging behaviour. Or those with transferable skills including graduates who may be looking to develop their skills and experience working with young people.




This is a challenging but rewarding role, so we want you to know you will be well supported by an excellent Class Teacher, as well as a strong, brilliant Pastoral Support team. Our class sizes are usually between 4 and 8 students per class so this is very different to mainstream schools, but our students are worth it!




Do you think you have what it takes to make a real, positive difference?!




Visits to the school are encouraged, it’s important you gain a feel for the Academy’s journey, see our staff and students. So please come and see for yourself! Contact 01793 705566 to make an appointment.




More information about the school can be found on our website www.stlukes.swindon.sch.uk/


Benefits

We know that your role requires you to put a lot of time and effort into it and because of this we believe you should be rewarded. As a White Horse Federation employee you will have access to benefits listed below.




Some benefits are accessible by all staff irrespective of their contract type (T). Some are only eligible to permanent (P) employees following a successful probation period as noted:




Car Purchase scheme (P)

Reward Gateway discounts (P&T)

Discounted gym membership scheme (P&T)

Hire purchase Cycle to Work scheme (P)

Free and confidential advice, information and counselling service (P&T)

Excellent Pension scheme (P&T)


Why Work With Us

The White Horse Federation (TWHF) is a not-for-profit multi-academy trust that supports and sponsors many primary, secondary and special schools across Wiltshire, Gloucestershire, Swindon, Oxfordshire and Berkshire.




Its shared vision for excellence through partnership means it is also committed to keeping the best of what makes a local school great – in other words, the type of schools where TWHF colleagues would be proud to send their own children.




TWHF combines a relentless drive for academic excellence with a shared moral purpose and shared values, while ensuring that fun and happiness are a key attribute of each of its schools. TWHF believes that partnership-working with its schools, pupils and their parents, as well as the wider community, helps creates the best possible outcomes for all children.




TWHF empowers its colleagues through support, training and career opportunities to recruit and retain outstanding staff who are leaders in their field. That way TWHF can ensure that every student achieves their full potential, regardless of background, culture, heritage or ability.




TWHF recognises the benefit of having a diverse workforce and is committed to building a team which reflects diversity from the communities it serves. TWHF values the contributions from all staff from a wide range of different backgrounds and actively seeks to promote an environment that is free from discrimination and harassment; which at the same time supports fair promotion and cultural acceptance. Under the provision of the Equality Act 2010, TWHF welcomes applications from everyone and operates a recruitment process which is fair and does not discriminate against or disadvantage anyone because of their age, disability, gender reassignment status, marriage or civil partnership status, pregnancy or maternity, race or nationality, religion or belief, sex or sexual orientation.




The White Horse Federation is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.   If successful for this position you will be expected to apply for a disclosure from the Disclosure and Barring Service before appointment is confirmed.   References will be sought on shortlisted candidates before interview.