Teaching Assistant

Buckinghamshire Council; Buckingham; On-site; GBP 18,000 - 23,000; Full time

Job summary

The Buckingham School in Buckinghamshire is seeking a dedicated Teaching Assistant to join our friendly, supportive team. The role focuses on supporting students with special educational needs by coordinating the KS4 Study base and providing essential First Aid as required.

We value applicants who enjoy working with young people, are flexible and team-oriented, and committed to fostering an inclusive learning environment. This is a permanent, term-time role with 39 weeks per year.

Qualifications

• Teaching Assistant role requiring empathy and patience.
• Flexibility and a positive approach to teamwork.
• Willingness to support with First Aid as required.

Responsibilities

• Develop understanding of pupils' specific needs to be supported.
• Learn about a range of learning support needs relevant to the school and pupils.
• Assist pupils to learn effectively in group and individual settings using the study base.
• Establish a supportive relationship with pupils and be a key worker linked to parents.
• Promote inclusion and pupil self-esteem while ensuring safety.
• Produce weekly reports on pupil engagement and base usage for parents.

Job description

The Buckingham School is seeking to appoint a dedicated and enthusiastic Teaching Assistant to join our friendly and supportive team.

The successful candidate will be working to support students with special educational needs or disabilities by coordinating the Key Stage Four Study base which is a designated space for SEND students.

We are looking for colleagues who enjoy working with young people, have a flexible and positive approach and enjoys working as part of a team.

We will also need you to support with First Aid as and when required.

Term time only: Yes includes 5 Inset Days, 39 Weeks per year

Salary type: Bucks Pay

Contract type: Permanent

Hours: Full-time, 08.00-16.00 Monday- Thursday & 08.00-15.30 Friday (Flexibility around start and finish times can be considered and should be discussed at interview)

Interviews to be held: TBC

About us

The Buckingham School is a caring and supportive school with excellent student ambassadors who represent The Buckingham School very well, displaying good behaviour and a positive attitude to work. Our school motto is 'Success for All' and we aim to give all students life changing opportunities through educational achievement. We will continue to drive school improvement in order to achieve the very best for every student.

About the role

We are a thriving school with over 1000 students on roll, ranging from students aged 11-18.

Whilst academic achievement lies at the heart of what we do, we never forget the importance of fostering mutual respect and decency amongst our pupils. We believe that all our children have something to offer, and we are driven by a desire to find areas where each of them can excel.

We strive for “Success for All”. We pride ourselves on our key objectives:

• A vibrant, exciting learning community
• Students develop knowledge, skills and qualities - and the qualifications – needed to thrive in life and work
• Innovation to enhance all learning opportunities
• Student ownership and responsibility
• A supportive and respectful environment
• An inclusive and proud school community
• Strong parent engagement and bond

The successful candidate will:

Support the Student

• To develop an understanding of the specific needs of pupils to be supported
• To develop a knowledge of a range of learning support needs relevant to the school and pupils
• To aid the pupil/s to learn as effectively as possible both in group situations and individually, whilst using the study base
• To establish a supportive relationship with the pupil/s concerned
• To be a key worker and link to parents for specific students
• To establish acceptance and inclusion of the pupil/s in the support base
• To manage pupil/s as advised by the SENDCO and Class Teacher
• To use methods of promoting / reinforcing the pupils’ self esteem
• To ensure the safety of the pupil/s while in your care
• To produce weekly reports of key students’ engagement with support and the use of the base and share with parents
• To carry out any specific duties as outlined in the pupil/s Individual Support Plan.

Support the SENDCO and Class Teacher

• To assist the SENDCO and Class Teacher to develop a suitable programme of support and then carry out the programme, within the study base.
• To maintain the SEN team’s system of recording and monitoring of pupils’ progress.
• To provide feedback about pupils’ difficulties and/ or progress to the SENDCO and Class Teacher.
• To write reports about the pupil/s’ progress as requested by the SENDCO.
• To participate in the evaluation of the support programme, with the SENDCO and Class Teacher.
• To help adapt materials to enable pupil/s to access the class curriculum.
• To report any problems about arrangements or any incidents to the SENDCO, or if unavailable, to the Class Teacher.

Support the School

• Where appropriate, to foster links between home and school
• To liaise, advise and consult with other members of the SEN Team
• To contribute to Annual Review meetings, as appropriate
• To participate in relevant professional development
• To be aware of / follow school policies and procedures
• To maintain confidentiality about home- school / pupil- teacher/ school work matters
• To complete any other task as directed by the Headteacher.

About you

Please see attached Job description & Person specification for further information.