Teaching Assistant

London South East Academies Trust; Greater London; On-site; GBP 20,000 - 25,000; Full time

Job summary

An Educational Trust in Greater London is looking for a committed Teaching Assistant to join the team at Heron Academy. The ideal candidate will possess a positive attitude and experience in supporting students with special educational needs. You'll work collaboratively with a team to facilitate learning in various settings and activities. This rewarding role emphasizes flexibility and creativity in developing students' independence while ensuring a supportive educational environment. The academy is dedicated to the well-being and progress of all pupils.

Benefits

Continuous professional development opportunities

Supportive work environment

Qualifications

• Experience in supporting students with severe and complex learning difficulties.
• Positive attitude and willingness to develop skills.
• Ability to transition students from transport to classroom setting.

Responsibilities

• Support pupils' learning in various environments.
• Assist with personal care and self-care routines.
• Facilitate daily routines and activities including Circle Time.

Skills

Team collaboration

Empathy

Flexibility

Problem-solving

Creative resource development

Job description

At Heron Academy we are seeking especially gifted and talented teaching assistants who can bring fun and entertainment to supporting pupils access teaching and learning. Our pupils present with severe and complex learning difficulties, all having an EHCP. The ideal teaching assistant will feel at ease working as part of a team dedicated to helping children make progress across the whole curriculum. You will be an integral part of a highly efficient and caring team, taking responsibility for a range of tasks within a range of learning environments (Class based, community based, sport based, swimming, personal care).

You will possess the skills of an Artist, a Clown, a Storyteller, a Bake-off Chef and a Community Explorer. You will be the glue that helps to ensure the team works together, you will help to create resources, support the pupils to access the community, help pupils to develop independence through modelling and supporting self-care routines. Every day you will have a smile measuring approximately a mile wide, always presenting a welcome attitude to pupils, peers and other stakeholders, demonstrating your passion for education, play and caring for everyone around you. You will be flexible (able to support wherever the need arises, respond to behaviours using planned strategies, showing empathy, initiative and the ability to think on your feet every day).

You will be an experienced Teaching Assistant preferably with experience of working with individuals and groups of pupils with SEND; however, we are more than happy to work with you to build skills and knowledge if you possess the positive attitude and aptitude we require.

What does a day at Heron Academy look like?

The day starts at 08:30 am, Teaching Assistants (TAs) prepare the day ahead, working in their team of TAs, they ensure that the learning areas are ready to welcome pupils from 09:00 am. Most pupils arrive by bus; TAs support pupils to transition from buses to the classroom. TAs work with individuals or small groups to prepare for learning, they support pupils to access a range of morning tasks before the Morning Routine (Circle Time) commences.

The Morning Routine is an opportunity for the whole class to sing, dance and check on pupil wellbeing (Zones of Regulation) as well as consisting of structured learning which includes communication, phonics, numeracy for life, literacy for life and a range of other subjects which are planned using the Equals Curriculum as a starting point.

Pupils are supported to make choices at snack-time and meet with peers at lunch-time in our canteen. At lunch time our pupils can access a variety of lunch clubs—sport, music, dance, sensory and reading. TAs take a 30-minute lunch break either in our wonderful staffroom or off-site. Most pupils complete their daily mile around the playground before the afternoon session begins.

Afternoons are more creative; pupils access community learning, art, independence, PE, drama, yoga, swimming, enterprise and end the day with a love of literacy session (story time) before preparing to go home at 3:20 pm. TAs then work to capture learning highlights using evidence for learning, record CPOMs, complete CPD (Wednesday 3:30-4:00 pm whole-school training).

We have a clear focus on wellbeing and ensure that CPD is facilitated in short manageable workshops rather than extended afternoons (we all need time to recharge and relax). Whole-school assemblies take place every Friday at 2:50-3:15 pm, (these are themed and facilitated on a rota by teachers and SLT).

The school day for TAs ends at 4:00 pm. If you think that Heron Academy could be the place to showcase your talents, that you could be the special TA who really changes lives for the better, we want to hear from you.

Equal Opportunities

London South East Academies Trust is fully-committed to being an Equal Opportunities Employer, and creating a diverse and inclusive workspace, free from discrimination and harassment. We welcome and encourage applications from all, regardless of race, nationality, ethnic origin, religion/belief, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, age, parental status and/or marital/partnership status. As a Disability Confident-Committed employer, we will offer an interview to any applicant that declares they have a disability and meet the minimum job-role criteria. If you have accessibility needs and/or require any adjustments for the application and interview process, please let us know. If a suitable applicant applies, we may close the advert sooner than the closing date. If you have any specific enquiries about the role, please email us at [e-mail]. As the Trust supports a number of children and vulnerable adults, all staff are exempt from Section 4(2) of the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. Accordingly, all staff will be subject to an ‘Enhanced’ DBS (formerly CRB) check, along with a Children’s Barred List check if in regulated activity. Any offers of appointment may be withdrawn if these checks prove to be unsatisfactory to the Trust. Self-disclosure will be required as part of the recruitment process. If you fail to make a full disclosure or provide sight of your DBS certificate then your offer of employment is likely to be withdrawn. The Trust’s DBS policy covers the recruitment of ex-offenders which is available upon request.