Teaching Assistant (12 Month Fixed Term)

Compass Community; Folkestone; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A specialist educational institution in Folkestone seeks a dedicated Teaching Assistant to support students with Social, Emotional and Mental Health needs. The role involves working closely with children to manage behaviours and foster learning in a nurturing environment. Ideal candidates will have strong communication and resilience skills, contributing to both academic and extracurricular activities. Competitive salary and extensive training opportunities are offered.

Benefits

Competitive salary

Extensive training and professional qualification opportunities

Small class sizes

Enhanced occupational sickness scheme

Flexible pension

Regular therapeutic supervision

Employee benefit service

Qualifications

• Experience working with children with Special Educational Needs.
• Ability to support children with complex behaviours.
• Strong interpersonal skills to communicate effectively with students.

Responsibilities

• Support teachers in the classroom.
• Work 1-1 with pupils with various Special Educational Needs.
• Manage classroom resources and activities.

Skills

Resilience

Solution-focused approach

Ability to manage complex behaviours

Communication skills

Job description

Who We Are

We are a small and nurturing school, set up to meet the growing need for specialist SEND provision in our area. We are based on two sites in Folkestone, Kent. Our students have often experienced disengagement from a previous educational setting – so it is our purpose to re-ignite their love of learning. Each site has dedicated Thrive rooms and AstroTurfed outdoor areas. Our Wiltie Gardens site also has a music room and a library.

Our children come from a wide range of backgrounds, but all have Social, Emotional and Mental Health needs (SEMH). Many will also have other Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) such as Autism, ADHD, and communication difficulties.

The work we do is both varied and challenging and, as a trauma and attachment informed organisation, all staff are provided with extensive therapeutic training and support.

Our closely triangulated approach places the child at the centre of decision making, ensuring that education and therapy professionals, parents/carers, local authority teams and, most importantly, our students can work together to secure outstanding outcomes for all.

The Role

TAs at our school know that no two days are the same and that no two children are the same either. Our children require very special adults who can support children with complex and challenging behaviours.

They will know that our children require lots of attention, just the right sort of communication, consistency and flexibility in equal measure, and a non-judgemental approach. They need to be resilient, persistent and solution focussed to meet the needs of our children and to do so they need to wear a lot of hats and be prepared to change them at a moment’s notice!

Our Teaching Assistants may be:

• supporting teachers in the classroom
• working with children 1:1 or delivering sessions with small groups of students
• managing classroom resources
• taking children on trips and visits
• having their lunch with children who struggle socially
• managing heightened behaviours and keeping children safe
• playing board games
• conducting science experiments
• making amazing displays
• celebrating success
• part of therapy sessions or reflecting on difficult periods

We want our TAs to be part of the decision making that drives our school, provides outcomes for children and advocates for every child. We welcome their input in developing both the academic curriculum and the opportunities in our extra-curricular offer – bringing their own interests and passions to the table.

This role will require the successful applicant to work 1-1 with pupils with various Special Educational Needs.

Benefits And Rewards

• Competitive salary
• Extensive training and professional qualification opportunities
• Small class sizes with specialist TA support
• The chance to be part of an expanding, national organisation that recognises skill, effort and potential and grows its own leadership teams
• Enhanced occupational sickness scheme
• Flexible pension
• Regular therapeutic and supportive supervision
• Employee benefit service with access to wellbeing services, salary sacrifice schemes, high street vouchers, money off eating-out and takeaways

We regularly review applications and reserve the right to close an advert early if we identify suitable candidates.

Safeguarding

Compass Community Schools are highly committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. All staff will be expected to hold or be willing to obtain Enhanced DBS check or Enhanced check for Regulated Activity with the Disclosure & Barring Services (previously the Criminal Records Bureau) and undergo due diligence checks on social media use.

All school-based staff have the responsibility for promoting the safeguarding and welfare of children. All school staff should be aware of the school’s Child Protection and Safeguarding Policy and work in accordance with this document at all times.

Compass is an equal-opportunity employer that is committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace. As we continue to grow, we know that we must have the most talented employees with diverse backgrounds, cultures, perspectives, and experiences to support our children and young people.