Teaching Assistant

Purpose of the job Support the class teacher:

To enable access to learning for all abilities in order to continue to raise standards and to assist the teacher in the management and development of pupils' academic, social and emotional well-being. Work may be carried out in the classrooms or outside the main teaching areas.

Support Lunchtime Sessions:

To enable children to enjoy their lunchtimes in a safe environment.

Key Features:

Support for pupils:

Develop knowledge of the children socially, emotionally and academically including home circumstances, barriers to learning etc.

Gain a specific understanding of the learning needs of the children to be supported whatever their ability

Supervise and provide particular support for the children, ensuring their safety and access to learning activities

Aid children’s learning, as effectively as possible, both in group situations and independently by, for example:

clarifying and explaining instructions

encouraging to listen to the class teacher and then explain what they are expected to do

ensuring the children are able to use equipment and materials provided safely and with precision

assisting in weaker areas, e.g. language, behaviour, social skills, reading, spelling, maths, handwriting/presentation

helping in stronger areas to use and apply knowledge and understanding to more open-ended tasks

helping the children to concentrate well and finish work set and become autonomous in this

meeting physical needs as required whilst encouraging independence

assisting with the development and implementation of Individual Education/Behaviour Plans and Personal Care programmes within classes

developing appropriate resources to support the children

providing support for the children inside and outside the classroom to enable them to interact socially and cooperatively with others and engage in activities led by teachers

establish a constructive relationship with children and interact with them calmly, respectfully and firmly when necessary

promote inclusion and acceptance

set challenging and demanding expectations and promote self-esteem and independence

provide the necessary pastoral care to enable children to feel secure and happy

provide feedback in relation to progress and achievement under the guidance of the teacher

Support for the Teacher assist the class teacher (and other professionals as appropriate), in the development and planning of a suitable programme of support

inform yourself of weekly plans in advance of the lesson so that you are able to prepare appropriately, with the support of the teacher, for the children you will be supporting

monitor responses to learning activities and accurately record achievement as directed

provide detailed and regular feedback about children to the teacher

contribute to the maintenance of progress records

participate in the evaluation of the support programme

promote good behaviour, dealing promptly with conflicts and incidents in line with established policy, and encourage children to take responsibility for their own behaviour

establish constructive relationships with parents/carers

administer routine tests and undertake routine marking of work as directed by teachers

support teachers in photocopying and other tasks in order to support teaching

Support for the Curriculum:

undertake structured and agreed learning activities/teaching programmes, adjusting activities according to children’s responses to everyday assessment

undertake intervention programmes as agreed with SENCO and class teacher, recording achievement and progress, and feeding back to the teacher

support the use of ICT in learning activities and develop the children’s competence and independence in its use

assist with the preparation and maintenance of equipment/resources required to meet lesson plans/relevant learning activities to support the delivery of an enriched curriculum

Support for Lunchtimes:

set up and clear away tables, chairs in the dining area

set out play equipment

Assist the cook with setting out food, cutlery and crockery

Clean up any spillages of food or drink

Sweep floors once tables and chairs are cleared away

Safeguard pupils’ health and safety during lunchtime

Ensure children line up in a timely manner

Ensure children have a balance of dining and recreation time

Lead the children in ‘grace’

Monitor children to encourage them to eat healthy lunches

Help children who may be having difficulties i.e. cutting up food

Encourage good table manners

Ensure good behaviour in line with the school’s behaviour policy

Comfort children who may be upset

Supervise children in the playground or in the hall and classrooms in wet weather

Make appropriate decisions concerning first aid incidents and illness to ensure maximum safety for the children during lunchtime

Deal with any minor first aid incidents such as cuts, grazes and bruises or referring to a First Aider

Check, monitor and resolve health and welfare issues and refer these to appropriate members of staff

Support for the school:

be aware of and comply with the procedures relating to child protection, health, safety and security, confidentiality and data protection, reporting all concerns to an appropriate person

be aware of, and support difference, ensure all children have equal access to opportunities to learn and develop

contribute to the overall ethos, work and aims of the school

be prepared to uphold the Christian and British values of the school even if not a Christian yourself

appreciate and support the roles of other professionals

attend and participate in relevant meetings and training as required

where appropriate, develop a relationship to foster links between home and school

liaise, advise and consult with other members of the team supporting the children as appropriate

contribute to reviews of children’s progress as appropriate

set a good example in terms of dress, punctuality, attitude, collaboration, respect and attendance

prepare and present displays of children’s work as required

carry out lunchtime supervision and playground duties on a rota and ad hoc basis

accompany teachers and children on educational visits

undertake other duties from time to time as required by the Head of School or Teachers

Arrangements for appraisal of performance The role of the Teaching Assistant will be monitored through the school’s performance management programme and by the usual monitoring systems of the Senior Leadership Team.