Teaching Assistant

The Methodist Church in Britain; London Borough of Barnet; On-site; GBP 15,000 - 21,000; Full time

Job summary

Sacred Heart Roman Catholic Primary School in London is seeking a Teaching Assistant to support the classroom teacher, work with whole classes, groups or individuals including pupils with EHCPs. The role runs 8:50 to 3:20 on a 30-hour weekday post with an unpaid half-hour lunch; DBS Enhanced check is required and visa sponsorship is not available.

The successful candidate will support learning activities, maintain a calm, inclusive environment and contribute to safeguarding practices while

Qualifications

• Experience of working with or caring for children of a relevant age.
• General understanding of the national or foundation stage curriculum and basic learning programmes.
• Basic understanding of child development and learning.
• Ability to relate well to children and adults.
• Ability to work constructively in a team, understanding classroom roles and own position within them.
• Ability to work sensitively and positively with pupils and their families.

Responsibilities

• Support the classroom teacher in pupils' development and education, across whole class, groups or individuals including those with Learning Support plans or EHCPs.
• Assist with pupils' learning, care and behaviour under teacher guidance, and help plan learning activities.
• Use strategies with teachers to help pupils reach their learning goals.
• Create and maintain a purposeful, orderly, supportive environment in line with lesson plans; help display pupils' work.
• Build constructive relationships with pupils according to individual needs; promote inclusion and equal access to learning.
• Encourage pupils to interact and engage in teacher-led activities; set challenging expectations and build self-esteem and independence.
• Monitor and record pupils' responses, achievement and progress; give pupils and teachers regular feedback.
• Promote good behaviour and deal promptly with conflict and incidents in line with school policy.
• Establish constructive relationships with parents and carers.
• Support routine administration such as photocopying, typing and filing.
• Accompany teachers and pupils on educational visits and take charge of a group under teacher supervision.
• Follow child protection, health and safety, confidentiality and data protection policies, reporting concerns; contribute to the school ethos and take part in training.

Skills

ICT to support learning

Curriculum understanding

Child development knowledge

Relating to children & adults

Teamwork and classroom roles

Communication & organisation

Job description

This Teaching Assistant post sits within the support team at Sacred Heart Roman Catholic Primary School. The role centres on supporting the classroom teacher, working with whole classes, small groups or individual pupils, including those with EHCPs. It is a 30-hour weekday post running 8:50 to 3:20 with an unpaid half-hour lunch, starting as soon as possible. Visa sponsorship is not available, and an enhanced DBS check is required.

What the job involves

• Support the classroom teacher in pupils' development and education, across whole class, groups or individuals including those with Learning Support plans or EHCPs
• Assist with pupils' learning, care and behaviour under teacher guidance, and help plan learning activities
• Use strategies with teachers to help pupils reach their learning goals
• Create and maintain a purposeful, orderly, supportive environment in line with lesson plans; help display pupils' work
• Build constructive relationships with pupils according to individual needs; promote inclusion and equal access to learning
• Encourage pupils to interact and engage in teacher-led activities; set challenging expectations and build self-esteem and independence
• Monitor and record pupils' responses, achievement and progress; give pupils and teachers regular feedback
• Promote good behaviour and deal promptly with conflict and incidents in line with school policy
• Establish constructive relationships with parents and carers
• Support routine administration such as photocopying, typing and filing
• Accompany teachers and pupils on educational visits and take charge of a group under teacher supervision
• Follow child protection, health and safety, confidentiality and data protection policies, reporting concerns; contribute to the school ethos and take part in training

What’s required

Experience

• Experience of working with or caring for children of a relevant age
• Experience of working with children with SEND

Skills & knowledge

• Effective use of ICT to support learning
• General understanding of the national or foundation stage curriculum and basic learning programmes
• Basic understanding of child development and learning
• Ability to relate well to children and adults
• Ability to work constructively in a team, understanding classroom roles and own position within them
• Ability to work sensitively and positively with pupils and their families

Checks & eligibility

• Enhanced DBS check
• Eligibility to work in the UK

Other

• Excellent verbal and written communication, planning and organisational skills
• Calm and caring nature
• Flexible approach to working practices
• High expectations of self and professional standards
• Commitment to working collaboratively with the whole school community
• High levels of drive, energy and integrity

Nice to have

• Previous experience working with children in a school, preferably in a similar role
• Some knowledge of the primary curriculum

What’s offered

• Supportive, caring ethos based on Catholic values
• Opportunity to work with enthusiastic children and engaged parents
• Team of hard-working, flexible and conscientious colleagues
• Enthusiastic and supportive governing body
• Support and collaboration from Barnet local authority and Diocese of Westminster schools
• Further professional development opportunities
• Training and mentoring from school leaders
• School close to the M25 with good transport links