Temporary Student Support Assistant - Sixth Form

The Governors are seeking to appoint an additional Student Support Assistant to work especially with sixth form students, both in terms of supervising the sixth form study rooms and supporting individual students.  The purpose of this role is to ensure that the sixth form study rooms are silent spaces for study and learning and to provide individual support for students. This support will help students to cope with the demand placed upon them by school and home in the face of difficulties which their lives present – such as organisation issues, anxiety, bereavement and many other issues prevalent among young people.  The focus is to remove barriers which inhibit learning and self-fulfillment.

This is a new role in response to increasing need as a result of lockdowns and a school-wide focus on improving student mental health and wellbeing. St Michael’s Catholic Grammar School is a small school with a distinctive Catholic ethos.  Students at the school are very well behaved and the school is a very pleasant working environment.

The appointed person would be approachable and confident in speaking to individuals or small groups of young people. They should also be confident in speaking to large groups of students in terms of maintaining silence and order in the study rooms.  Good organisation skills are necessary, as is the ability to deal with distressing situations as well as with parents, other staff and external agencies.  Writing up notes and communications by email and phone are also features of this post.  The appointed person will also support the administration of SEND and organise reviews and meetings as well as supporting the Head of Sixth Form with monitoring of attendance and punctuality in the sixth form.

This person will work under the direction of the Deputy Headteacher and in conjunction with other staff.  Ideally suited to this role would be someone with an enthusiastic outlook who enjoys a hands-on approach to solving problems.  The appointed candidate will be flexible in their approach to the work undertaken and be able to make adjustments in order to face unexpected issues which may present themselves.  The ability to manage a range of competing demands and to prioritise work is very important.