Teaching Assistant (Level 3) Early Reading & Phonics

Key Purpose

The purpose of this post is to support pupils and staff to ensure that all pupils reach their full potential, with additional responsibility for delivering high-quality phonics and early reading provision to KS1 pupils.

Main Activities Supporting the pupil

• Assisting pupils in the acquisition of basic literacy and numeracy skills.
• Deliver high-quality phonics and early reading sessions to KS1 pupils, following the school's chosen phonics programme, Read write Inc.
• Support children's early reading development through targeted group and 1:1 interventions.
• Assist pupils in making progress across all subject areas.
• Working with pupils on an individual or group basis as required by the class teacher.
• Assist in offsite visits.
• Aid pupils with special needs to access all subjects of the national curriculum and encourage their independence as learners.
• Ensure pupils understand instructions.
• Motivate and encourage pupils to behave well in and around school.
• Acquaint themselves with the support materials in and around the school for individual pupil or group use.
• Assist the teacher in developing a supportive and trusting relationship with other adults and children.
• Promote and reinforce pupil self-esteem through praise and encouragement.
• Be sensitive to the general welfare and care of all pupils within the school, drawing areas of concern to the attention of the class teacher.
• Meet the physical and/or hygiene needs of pupils as required.

Supporting the teacher

• Have access to the planned teaching and learning activities for the class.
• Record pupil progress to inform future planning for coverage of the national curriculum.
• Track and record progress in phonics and early reading, feeding back to the class teacher and contributing to planning and assessment.
• Assist the teacher in evaluation of work undertaken and help plan future progress for identified pupils.
• Help with reasonable requests for preparation of materials to support teaching and learning.
• Assist with reasonable requests for minor administrative tasks e.g. photocopying and laminating.
• Under the direction of the class teacher, ensure a safe environment is maintained within the classroom/school for all pupils.

Supporting the school

• Attend training when appropriate and after consultation with the headteacher.
• Participate in phonics and early reading training and implement new strategies in line with school policy.
• Be aware of and support all the school's policies.
• Be aware of the school safety procedures e.g. fire drill/health and safety policy.
• Treat as confidential all information on individual pupils and refer parents to the class teacher should any questions about individuals be asked.
• Foster positive links between home and school.
• After negotiation with the headteacher, carry out the administration of elementary first aid at break times to pupils throughout the school (qualified staff only).
• Perform any reasonable duties as requested by the headteacher.

The School reserves the right to alter the content of this Job Description, after consultation, to reflect changes to the job or services provided, without altering the general character or level of responsibility.

The duties described in this Job Description must be carried out in a manner which promotes equality of opportunity, dignity and due respect for all employees and service users and is consistent with the School's Equal Opportunities Policy and Code of Conduct.