Teaching Assistant

Are you looking for a ‘special’ role and an exciting opportunity? We are actively seeking a talented teaching assistant with a passion for educating boys and girls with additional needs. Our pupils are really well supported and our team operates as a family, all stakeholders work to help our pupils achieve their full potential; come and join us!

 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, and 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 looking to appoint a Teaching Assistant to enhance support to our pupils, either through dedicated 1:1 support or by working in class. This post holder will be timetabled as needed across the full range of subjects. 

Key areas of work will include:

·        Contribute to the delivery of quality teaching and learning in the school by supporting our pupils in class or 1 to 1 (see to Job Description for full details)

·        Working alongside our classroom teachers, supporting learning and behaviour across the school

·        Supporting learning by utilising resources and delivering activities to engage children within and away from the classroom 

·        Contributing effectively to the selection and preparation of teaching resources to meet the diversity of pupils’ needs and interests

·        Contribute to the planning of opportunities for pupils to learn in accordance with school policies and procedures.

·        Contribute to the planning of opportunities for pupils to learn in accordance with school policies and procedures

·        Developing methods of promoting/reinforcing pupil’s self-esteem and independence

·        Focusing on meeting the needs of the whole child’s development

·        Enthusiasm and commitment to working with and raising achievement

·        Participate fully in the schools Continued Professional Development and Learning (CPDL) programme

·        Adhere to and follow the school's safeguarding procedures 

·        Actively engage in the school appraisal processes and aspire to develop yourself further in this role e.g. pursue additional relevant qualifications - HLTA for promotion 

You will be expected to actively demonstrate the school’s core values and promote ‘The

Downland Way’

In return we will offer you:

·        a forward thinking and inclusive school environment

·        a friendly and supportive community

·        an inclusive and caring ethos

·        good professional development and learning opportunities

·        a well equipped and safe working environment

Enthusiasm and commitment to working with and raising achievement for pupils with SEMH is paramount to us.

 ·        Hours of work: 32.5 hours per week

·        Term time only plus inset days

·        Monday to Friday

·        Contract type: Permanent

·        Closing date: 10am Monday 20th March 2023

·        Interview date: TBC

·        Commencement date: As soon as possible

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