Teaching Assistant SEN at Horizons Alternative Provision Academy

Cranbury College; Bracknell; On-site; GBP 18,000 - 21,000; Full time

Job summary

Cranbury College in England is seeking a caring Teaching Assistant to support pupils in learning, development and wellbeing. You will work with teachers, provide one-to-one and small-group support, and help create an inclusive, engaging classroom where every student feels valued and safe.

The role involves promoting positive behaviour, building strong relationships, supporting pupils with additional needs, and contributing to risk assessments and safeguarding.

Qualifications

• Level 2 or equivalent qualifications in English and Maths.
• Experience of working with primary-age pupils or young people.
• Experience of working with pupils with complex needs.
• Good observation and assessment skills, including the ability to produce clear written observations.
• An understanding of how appropriate language and core vocabulary can support pupils.
• A calm, caring and positive approach.
• Effective positive behaviour management skills.
• Good interpersonal and communication skills.
• Good organisational and planning skills, with the ability to prioritise your workload.
• The ability to work effectively as part of a team while also using initiative when required.
• A flexible and adaptable approach and a commitment to ongoing professional development.
• A strong commitment to the wellbeing, safety and safeguarding of children and young people.

Responsibilities

• Support pupils to engage with teacher-led learning activities and make progress with their learning.
• Work with the class teacher to support planned programmes of work and learning activities.
• Observe pupils' learning and progress and provide relevant feedback to teachers.
• Prepare and maintain learning resources, classroom materials and visual supports appropriate to pupils' needs.
• Implement strategies arising from SALT, occupational therapy, clinical and behaviour support.
• Promote inclusion and respond appropriately to individual pupil needs.
• Support positive behaviour, engagement and wellbeing, including recording and reporting behavioural incidents where required.
• Provide for pupils' welfare, safety and personal care, which may include intimate care, first aid and the administration of medicines in accordance with training and procedures.
• Support pupils during break and lunchtimes and use activities and play to encourage learning and positive interaction.
• Work positively with parents and carers to support effective home-school relationships.
• Contribute to pupil profiles, risk assessments and behaviour support plans.
• Follow safeguarding, child protection, health and safety, confidentiality and data protection requirements, reporting concerns appropriately.

Skills

Level 2 English & Maths

Experience with primary-age pupils

Experience with pupils with complex/NE

Observation & assessment

Inclusive education

Communication

Team collaboration

Organisational skills

Safeguarding commitment

Education

Level 2 English & Maths

Job description

About this Role

We're looking for a caring and compassionate Teaching Assistant to join our team, supporting students in their learning, development, and wellbeing. In this role, you will work closely with teachers, supporting students both one to one and in small groups to help create an inclusive, engaging classroom where every student feels valued and supported. You'll play a key role in promoting positive behaviour, building strong relationships, and supporting those with additional needs to deliver tailored support. The ideal candidate will be adaptable and proactive, confident in supporting a range of learning needs, and committed to promoting inclusion and positive behaviour.

As a DisabilityConfident employer, we want to ensure everyone can perform at their bestwhen applying to work with us. If you need any support with your application oradjustments during the selection process, please contact our People Team byemailing [email protected] or calling 0118 929 6020.

Key Responsibilities

• Support pupils to engage with teacher-led learning activities and make progress with their learning.
• Work with the class teacher to support planned programmes of work and learning activities.
• Observe pupils' learning and progress and provide relevant feedback to teachers.
• Prepare and maintain learning resources, classroom materials and visual supports appropriate to pupils' needs.
• Implement strategies arising from SALT, occupational therapy, clinical and behaviour support.
• Promote inclusion and respond appropriately to individual pupil needs.
• Support positive behaviour, engagement and wellbeing, including recording and reporting behavioural incidents where required.
• Provide for pupils' welfare, safety and personal care, which may include intimate care, first aid and the administration of medicines in accordance with training and procedures.
• Support pupils during break and lunchtimes and use activities and play to encourage learning and positive interaction.
• Work positively with parents and carers to support effective home-school relationships.
• Contribute to pupil profiles, risk assessments and behaviour support plans.
• Follow safeguarding, child protection, health and safety, confidentiality and data protection requirements, reporting concerns appropriately.

The Ideal Candidate

You will have:

• Level 2 or equivalent qualifications in English and Maths.
• Experience of working with primary-age pupils or young people.
• Experience of working with pupils with complex needs.
• Good observation and assessment skills, including the ability to produce clear written observations.
• An understanding of how appropriate language and core vocabulary can support pupils.
• A calm, caring and positive approach.
• Effective positive behaviour management skills.
• Good interpersonal and communication skills.
• Good organisational and planning skills, with the ability to prioritise your workload.
• The ability to work effectively as part of a team while also using initiative when required.
• A flexible and adaptable approach and a commitment to ongoing professional development.
• A strong commitment to the wellbeing, safety and safeguarding of children and young people.

AboutHorizons Alternative Provision Academy

HorizonsAlternative Provision Academy is an Alternative Education provision for youngpeople ranging from 5-16 years old. We support learners who have beenpermanently excluded from mainstream settings and provide preventative supportto those who are at risk of permanent exclusion. Additionally, we support thosethat unintentionally exclude themselves from education and children who cannotaccess school for medical reasons. We are a multi-site organisation whichincludes our Primary provisions, based at Great Hollands Primary School in Bracknell and College Road in Reading, and Secondary provision, based at Cranbury Road in Reading. We have Outreach teams that provide specialistsupport within schools, a tutoring service, offer vocational courses in Hair& Beauty and Multi-skills and run a Hospital Teaching Service based atRoyal Berkshire Hospital who provide education to children on short and longterm stays. Horizons Alternative Provision Academy is a fast paced, energeticsetting where we pride ourselves on a strong team ethic, always working togetherto create a nurturing and supportive setting for our student's alternativepathway to success.

AboutMaiden Erlegh Trust

MaidenErlegh Trust is a growing community of schools across Berkshire andOxfordshire, working together to deliver the best possible education for everychild and young person. With around 800 staff and 5,000 studentsacross eleven schools, including primary, secondary, special andalternative provision, we are proud of the diversity that shapes our expertise.

We AimHigh, Be Inclusive andWork Together.These values drive our focus on high-quality education for all throughcollaboration, inclusion and continuous improvement.

Throughthe Maiden Erlegh Institute, colleagues access high-quality professionallearning at every stage of their career, supported by mentoring, leadershipopportunities and our annual MET Staff Conference, a day that bringscolleagues together to share best practice and learn from one another.

Joiningour Trust means being part of a community that invests in people and valuesexpertise, playing a direct role in shaping the lives and outcomes of youngpeople.

Furtherinformation about working with us, and insight from colleagues across theTrust, can be found here on our website.

Benefitsof Working with Maiden Erlegh Trust

Staffwellbeing and professional development are central to how we work. Colleaguesbenefit from a wide range of opportunities and schemes, including :

• PensionScheme - Generousemployer contributions through the Teachers' Pension Scheme or Local GovernmentPension Scheme
• AnnualLeave - Generousentitlement, increasing with length of service
• ME Day - One additional day's leave eachyear for a significant personal event
• ProfessionalDevelopment - Extensive CPD through the Maiden Erlegh Institute, annual Trust Conference andapprenticeship opportunities
• HybridWorking - Flexibleworking arrangements for eligible roles
• Perkbox - Discounts, wellbeing resourcesand monthly perk points
• Wellbeingand Health - Freeflu vaccinations and eye tests (where eligible)
• EmployeeAssistance Programme- 24/7 support and discount schemes
• MentalHealth First Aid Support
• Recognitionand Community - Celebrating achievements and milestones across #TeamMET
• EmployeeReferral Scheme

Workingfor our Trust means contributing to something larger by supporting theeducation and life chances of children and young people every day.

AdditionalInformation

If youbelieve this is an environment where you can thrive, develop and make ameaningful contribution, please contact [email protected]for an informal discussion.

Applicantsare encouraged to apply early, as we reserve the right to close the advert andinterview at any time.

MaidenErlegh Trust is an equal opportunities employer and is committed tosafeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. The successful candidatewill be subject to an enhanced DBS check and satisfactory references