RA Teacher Assistant

Job Description

To work collaboratively with the class teacher in order to support outstanding lessons and student's emotional health and wellbeing.

As an Academy our key focuses will be: 1. Re-engagement, raising aspiration and motivating

• Recognising that personal and emotional development, independent living and decision-making skills and discovering meaningful interests and goals are essential to educational success.
• A personalised curriculum including specific engagement activities based on the interests of each individual learner.
• Positive and trusted adult role models in the form of Teaching Assistants and qualified teachers recruited for their enthusiasm for working with disconnected young people and their ability to understand and adapt, in order to meet the needs of the students.
• Opportunities to support social and emotional needs through individual programmes and a varied curriculum.

2. Unlocking every child's potential

• The curriculum will determine the knowledge and skills students will learn at each stage. It is planned efficiently to support exceptional lessons where students make outstanding progress, and are able to relate their learning to the wider world.
• Individual learning programmes, based on the interests and skills of the students and which draw upon the diverse range of pastoral, vocational, engagement and personal and social development activities.
• Small groups of students (max 1:8) with capability to offer 1 to 1 student support.
• Practical application of English and Maths to develop skills that prepare for accreditation and work towards independence and social integration.

3. Recognising and celebrating achievement

• Positive learning environments with praise for success and recognition of achievement.
• Regular liaison with parents and carers to involve them fully in the education of their children including weekly progress telephone calls.
• Celebration of success through: weekly celebrations with students and staff; rewards for targeted elements; and high profile annual celebration events.
• Relevant vocational learning that broadens the curriculum offer to students providing the opportunity to support their classroom learning by gaining practical skills in the workplace and ultimately allowing them to achieve recognised qualifications.

Key Priorities

• Support teachers and Learning Mentors to deliver an engaging specialist curriculum within the academy.
• Support the vision and direction of the school.
• Support effective learning and teaching throughout school.
• Ensure effective pastoral care and behaviour support throughout the school.

Teaching and Learning

As a Teaching Assistant of The Academy you will support teaching staff to ensure effective teaching and learning throughout the academy. You will:

• Support teaching staff to ensure high quality teaching is delivered to students.
• Support teaching staff to provide and maintain an environment and a code of behaviour and discipline which promotes and secures good teaching, effective learning and high standards of achievement.
• Support the curriculum and its assessment; work with the teachers and Learning Mentors to monitor and evaluate it in order to identify areas for improvement.
• Support students with their emotional health and wellbeing.
• Develop key relationships with students and parents and carers.
• Engage in outreach to ensure all students needs are met.
• Ensure relevant interventions are delivered to support improvements in literacy, numeracy and emotional wellbeing.

Partnership Working

• Seek opportunities to invite parents and carers into the Academy to enrich student experience and promote the Academy's value to the wider community.
• Collaborate with staff to actively promote the British values, academic, spiritual, moral, social, emotional and cultural well being of students and their families.

Health and Safety/ Child Protection

• Help ensure that health and safety standards meet statutory requirements, monitoring health and safety matters within the school, particularly ensuring that all members of staff take reasonable care for the health and safety of themselves and others.
• Help ensure that Child Protection and Safeguarding procedures and Department of Health assessments of Children in Need are rigorously complied with, and that the welfare and health and safety of students are of prime consideration.
• Promote the safety and well being of students and staff.
• Ensure good order and discipline of students and staff.
• Engage with CPD opportunities in order to effectively fulfil your role and achieve the best possible outcomes for students.

Working hours Mon - Thurs 8.30-4.30pm, Friday 8.30-4pm (teaching between 9.30-3.30)

Small class sizes

Fantastic classroom support

Access to training and CPD including further professional qualifications.

Specialist training where required

Cycle to work scheme

Flexible and supportive approach to work

Free lunch at school

Free parking (including charging stations on most sites)

Nursery benefits

Education Mutual - private health support - access to a 24/7 GP, free face to face counselling, physiotherapy, nurse help line, prescription service whenever you need it

Perkbox - vouchers, discounts and wellbeing

Benefits

• Working hours Mon - Thurs 8.30-4.30pm, Friday 8.30-4pm (teaching between 9.30-3.30)
• Small class sizes
• Fantastic classroom support
• Access to training and CPD including further professional qualifications.
• Specialist training where required
• Cycle to work scheme
• Flexible and supportive approach to work
• Free lunch at school
• Free parking (including charging stations on most sites)
• Nursery benefits
• Education Mutual - private health support - access to a 24/7 GP, free face to face counselling, physiotherapy, nurse help line, prescription service whenever you need it
• Perkbox - vouchers, discounts and wellbeing

Desired Criteria

• Recognised behaviour / SEMH qualification
• Previous experience with disconnected students or neurodivergent learners
• Evidence of coaching and or mentoring
• Able to effectively resolve relationship issues
• Training and understanding of child protection
• Training and experience of working with students with a variety of mental health needs
• Training and experience of working with students with a variety of special educational needs, including speech, language and communication needs.
• GCSE or equivalent - including maths and English
• A commitment to continuing professional development.
• Experience supporting primary teaching
• Set high expectations which inspire, motivate and challenge
• Promote good progress and outcomes
• Make accurate and productive use of assessment
• Manage behaviour effectively to ensure a good and safe learning environment
• Communicate and work effectively
• Ability to motivate and inspire
• Proven ability to:
  • Generate enthusiasm for new ideas
  • Inspire others with confidence
  • Communicate effectively to groups and individuals, orally and in writing
  • Resolve conflict through active listening and negotiation
  • Demonstrate a flexible approach and a willingness to listen to others
• Good organisational skills
• Provide advice and guidance to parents and carers in a positive and clear manner
• Remain calm when working under pressure
• Show patience and empathy
• Ability to travel independently within the area
• Meets Safer Recruitment requirements (see below)