Teaching Assistant

Polden Bower School; Bridgwater; On-site; GBP 12,000 - 16,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Induction programme and professional‑m

Cycle to Work scheme

Onsite subsidised café

Free tea/coffee for staff

Wellbeing room

Occupational Health Service

Job summary

Polden Bower School in Bridgwater seeks Teaching Assistants to join a growing team across multiple sites. Roles involve supporting pupils with additional needs, assisting teachers, and promoting inclusive learning within a nurturing environment.

Term-time hours are 08:45 to 16:45 (Mon-Thu) and 08:45 to 15:30 (Fri), 32.5 hours per week over 39 weeks. Salary grade 14/15 dependent on experience, with strong induction and ongoing professional development provided.

Qualifications

• Excellent communication skills.
• Resilience, flexibility, empathy and creativity.
• An understanding of how children and young people with additional needs learn.
• Good literacy, numeracy and ICT skills.
• Ability to build professional, positive relationships with children, families and staff.

Responsibilities

• Support learning activities and deliver targeted assistance to pupils with additional needs.
• Assist teachers in managing behaviour and maintaining a calm classroom environment.
• Support pupils with personal care, mobility and therapeutic activities as required.
• Assist with prep and organisation of classroom materials and resources.
• Contribute to safeguarding and welfare routines under school policies.

Skills

Communication

Resilience

Empathy

ICT skills

Literacy & Numeracy

Tools

ICT Tools

Job description

TEACHING ASSISTANTS required at Polden Bower Special school due to the continued growth of our school. Roles could be within any of the sites within our schools which include Bower Lane campus, Albert Street campus and within our Satellite provision at Somerset Bridge Primary School.

32.5 hours per week 39 Weeks per year. (Term time plus INSET days) Term time hours of work: Monday 08.45 am - 4.45 pm Tuesday - Friday 08.45 am to 3.30 pm.

Grade 14 & 15 Dependent on experience

Polden Bower is part of the Bower Learning Partnership and is a 160 place special school and has the specialist resources needed to meet the needs of our students. state-of-the-art facilities for all the children and young people, this includes a warm water pool for physiotherapy; a sports hall; a sensory room; and fully accessible classrooms with the latest teaching technology. Bower Learning Partnership is a Federation of 2 special schools; Polden Bower School in Bridgwater, Avalon School in Street. The partnership works closely with the Pupil Referral Units in Somerset as part of its leadership work. Being part of a partnership, provides opportunities for staff to gain wider professional learning opportunities.

We are looking for talented teaching assistants to join our growing team of staff. If you feel you have what it takes to work with us and feel passionate about meeting the needs of our student’s, we would very much like to hear from you.

You will be expected to demonstrate:

• Excellent communication skills
  
• Resilience, flexibility, empathy and creativity
  
• An understanding of how children and young people with additional needs learn
  
• Good literacy, numeracy and ICT skills
  
• Have the ability to build professional, positive and trusting relationships with children, young people and families

In return the school will offer the successful candidate:

• Full induction programme and ongoing professional development
  
• Supportive staff team
  
• ‘My staff shop’ benefits which include Cycle to Work scheme
  
• Onsite subsidised café
  
• Provision of free tea/coffee for staff
  
• Wellbeing room and information on wellbeing approaches
  
• Access to Occupational Health Service

Enquiries and visits are warmly welcomed, please contact Jo Stamford, Assistant HR Manager, on 01278 496386.

Polden Bower School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. This appointment will be subject to enhanced DBS disclosure, medical clearance proof of the right to work in the UK and satisfactory references.

Following the acceptance of your interview, an online check will be carried out as detailed in the latest Keeping Children Safe in Education guidelines