Isaac Newton Academy, Redbridge
Interim Principal: Jo Spencer
SEND Learning Assistant
New all-through mixed 4-18 comprehensive in Redbridge.
In September 2012 Isaac Newton Academy opened with its inaugural cohort of 180 year 7 students. The school will grow, year on year, to become an 11-18 academy of 1250 students with specialist status in mathematics and music. In 2014 the primary phase of the academy opened to 90 reception-aged children. This too will grow each year, until full in September 2020. The school has been shortlisted for the TES Secondary school of the year award 2018.
We are looking for a Secondary SEND Learning Assistant to join our team of staff. They will deliver outstanding support to teachers and students to ensure that students with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) learn effectively and make outstanding progress.
Our ideal candidate will:
- have experience of establishing successful learning relationships with a variety of children at secondary age
- have an understanding of the strategies needed to establish consistently high aspirations and standards of results and behaviour in an urban school setting
- be approachable, highly organised and flexible, with excellent communication and ICT skills
- Have the skills and determination to make a significant difference to the lives of our students.
The successful candidate will have the opportunity to:
- play a key role in the evolution of Isaac Newton Academy
- support students in maintaining excellent rates of progress and behaviour both in lessons and around the academy site, as well as plan and facilitate behaviour management programmes
- join the Ark network, with comprehensive career and professional development provisions.
- If you are seeking a challenging and highly rewarding position, enriching the lives of the students who attend Isaac Newton Academy and members of the local community, then we are keen to hear from you.
If you have any technical issues with the application form please contact our recruitment team on 0203 116 6345 or recruitment@arkonline.org. For a candidate information pack or an informal, confidential discussion please contact Adeel Hussain, HR Officer on 020 8911 6657 or a.hussain@isaacnewtonacademy.org
Location: Ilford, Redbridge
Start date: As soon as possible
Salary: £20,599 - £25,239 pro rata per annum (actual: £8,867-£7,237)
Hours: Term time only plus 1 week. 2 days per week
Ark is committed to safeguarding children; successful candidates will be subject to an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check.
-------------Job Description: SEND Learning Assistant
Reporting to: Assistant Principal (SENCO)
Start date: As soon as possible
Salary: £20,599 - £25,239 pro rata per annum (actual: £8,867-£7,237
)
Hours: Term time only plus 1 week. 2 days week
Disclosure level: Enhanced
The Role
- To deliver outstanding support to teachers and students to ensure that students with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) learn effectively and make outstanding progress
- To work with identified individuals and groups of students to support them in learning to self-regulate their behaviour
- To be a role-model/impact on the academy more widely.
- To lead on 1-1 and small group SEND interventions as directed by the SENCO.
Key Responsibilities
- To be fully conversant with the specific learning needs of students on the SEND Register.
- To work with class teachers to plan, differentiate and resource lessons that ensure that effective learning takes place for all students
- To work with teachers to assess the needs of individual students with SEND
- To work with the SENCO and teachers to implement Personal Learning Plans
- To observe and monitor students and feedback to staff
- To support the learning of individuals and groups of students in lessons to ensure that all students make progress during the lesson
- To take an active role in lessons, including (when appropriate) assisting with whole class teaching under the guidance of the class teacher
- To support students in the acquisition and development of learning dispositions and positive character traits
- To supervise after school IL detentions on a rota, on one or two days per week.
Monitoring and Evaluation
- To contribute to the writing of Personal Learning Plans and support plans for students with SEND and to evaluate students’ progress towards meeting their targets
- To maintain regular and productive communication with parents/carers, and to report on progress and achievements
- To establish constructive relationships with other agencies/professionals, in liaison with the SENCO.
Whole Academy Responsibilities
- To contribute to the effective working of the Academy
- To be a co-tutor
- To be a BRIDGES mentor
- To be a teacher of reading and to promote reading with students
- To establish positive, professional relationships with students, parents/carers and teachers
- To provide stimulating enrichment opportunities for students and potentially for members of the wider school community
- To actively promote the academy and liaise with outside agencies as necessary, representing the Academy or Ark as appropriate
- To maintain a presence around the school to ensure that the highest standards of behaviour and site-usage are upheld
- To communicate and liaise with staff, students, parents, governors and members of the local community as appropriate
- To be active in issues of staff and student welfare and support
- To comply with and assist in the development of policies and procedures in relation to child protection, health, safety and security, confidentiality and data protection, reporting all concerns to an appropriate person
- To demonstrate a commitment to Equality of Opportunity for all members of the Academy’s community
- To commit to continuous learning and developing expertise in SEND.
Other
- Undertake any other professional duties as set down in the Ark pay and conditions of service document, and as directed by the principal.
Person Specification: SEND Learning Assistant
Qualification criteria
- Qualified to work in the UK
- 5 GCSEs/O levels or equivalent including English and Maths at grade C or above
- Certified Teaching Assistant course (desirable)
- Degree level qualification (desirable).
Experience
- Experience of raising attainment in a challenging classroom environment
- Evidence of continually improving the teaching and learning of their subject through schemes of work and extra-curricular activities
- Understanding of the strategies needed to effectively support and manage the learning of students with SEND
- Experience of establishing successful learning relationships with a variety of children at secondary age
- Experience of working with children with SEND
- Experience and/or understanding of the role of a LA and, in particular, classroom organisation and management
- Up to date knowledge of the Special Educational Needs Framework (desirable).
Behaviours
- Vision aligned with Ark and the Academy’s high aspirations and high expectations of self and others
- An understanding of the strategies needed to establish consistently high aspirations and standards of results and behaviour in an urban school setting and commitment to relentlessly implementing these strategies
- The capacity to work in close harmony with all staff
- The capacity to follow instructions accurately, but make sound judgements and lead when required
- Excellent listening skills
- Sound ICT skills – ability to use Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint and email
- Strong interpersonal, written and oral communication skills
- Strong organisational and time-management skills
- Hard working, conscientious and accurate
- Adaptable, flexible and able to work with minimum supervision
- Approachable, calm and caring
- Passion, resilience and optimism
- A firm and constant belief in the unlimited potential of every student and a commitment to inclusive educational provision
- A commitment to the safeguarding and welfare of all students. An understanding of the importance of confidentiality and discretion
- The ability to develop positive relationships with all young people
- The ability to take personal responsibility, a readiness to reflect and self-evaluate and the ability to change, improve and develop
- Confidence and self-motivation
- The capacity to work well under pressure
- The ability to be decisive
- High levels of honesty and integrity
- A sense of humour and desire to have fun.
Other
- This post is subject to an enhanced Disclosure & Barring Service check
- The post holder must be committed to safeguarding the welfare of children and to providing equality of opportunity.