Higher Level Teaching Assistant (HLTA)
Reports to: Headteacher
Start date: January 2019
Location: Ark Kings Academy – Primary
Contract: 42 hours per week, term time only (39 weeks per year)
Salary: Ark Support Scale 5 Point 15-22: £17,972-£21,285 pro rata
An all-through school, transforming daily the lives of our students
In 2015, Ark Kings Academy was named as the most improved academy in the country, and was rated ‘Good’ in all areas by Ofsted in October 2016. We were lucky enough to be moved into our brand-new school building (home to several impressive new facilities), and this has enabled us to continue our journey towards becoming a school of excellence.
At Ark Kings Academy, our goal is simple: we want every child to be well prepared academically and socially for university or the career of their choice. We work hard to achieve this for our students, and we work hard to help our staff achieve this too.
To support us with our continuing transformation, we are looking to recruit a Higher Learning Teaching Assistant, who will provide high quality, well-planned pastoral support and guidance to students and their families in order promote high expectations, raise aspirations and facilitate academic progress. The successful candidate will ideally have experience of establishing effective, appropriate relationship with a variety of young people, and have experience of working with challenging young people.
Job Description: Higher Level Teaching Assistant (HLTA)
The Role
As a HLTA, you will provide specialist support for groups or individual pupils in their learning, supporting teachers in establishing a supportive and nuturing learning environment in which children make good academic progress. You will be instrumental in our mission to provide every student, regardless of their background, a great education and real choices in life.
Key Responsibilities
- To analyse attendance and behaviour data, using it to rapidly diagnose concerns and plan action to be reported to the Pastoral Vice Principal
- To identify students in need of additional support and initiate, deliver and evaluate a support plan appropriate to their needs
- To resolve issues that are impacting on academic performance in a timely manner
- To ensure that parents are fully involved in their child’s pastoral care by establishing regular contact with those in the most need
- To provide welcoming and supportive opportunities, such as invitations to assemblies, training sessions, celebrations, etc. for parents to engage in the life of the academy and small school
- To be the first point of contact for parents with queries about support for their child within the small school
- To ensure the calm and quiet movement of students around the school site
- To ensure that students are appropriately supervised at lunchtimes, providing them with appropriate activities and signposting opportunities elsewhere in the academy
- To support teaching staff by providing pastoral expertise and advice as and when required
- To supervise students departing the site at the end of the school day, ensuring neighbourly behaviour
- To prepare documentation for and liaise with other stakeholders involved in the pastoral care of students both within and outside the academy
- To help secure an aspirational culture of achievement, hard work and perseverance within the small school through day-to-day discussions with parents and students, formal assemblies and other formal events
- To take a lead role in transition between key stages, ensuring that students’ needs are well met at these times
- To provide cover and support when needed in the other small school
- To work with the academic tutor and teaching staff to follow up any issues regarding the quality and frequency homework.
Academy Culture
- Help create a strong academy community, characterised by consistent, orderly behaviour and caring, respectful relationships
Other
· Maintain student and family confidentiality
· Carry out other reasonable tasks as directed by Line Manager or Principal
Person Specification: Higher Level Teaching Assistant (HLTA)
Qualification Criteria
· Right to work in UK.
· Maths and English GCSE or equivalent at grade C or above
· Certified teaching assistant course or training, desirable
Knowledge, Experience and Skills
· Experience establishing successful learning relationships with students at the relevant age, treating them consistently with respect and consideration
· Experience of the role of a TA: classroom organisation and management, supporting the planning and delivery of the curriculum, implementing behaviour and learning strategies
· Good working knowledge of the national curriculum
· Good numeracy, literacy and communication skills
· Good administrative, organisational and computer skills
· Excellent interpersonal skills with children and adults
· Able to deal with minor incidents, first aid, and pupils’ personal health and hygiene
Personal Characteristics
· Genuine passion and a belief in the potential of every pupil
· Deep commitment to Ark’s mission of providing an excellent education to every student, regardless of background
· Helpful, positive, calm and caring nature
· Patience and emotional resilience
· Able to take direction but also make good judgements and take initiative when required
· Motivation to continually improve standards and achieve excellence
Other desirable training and skills
· First Aid training
· Training and practice in Ruth Miskin’s ‘Read, Write Inc.’
Other
· Commitment to equality of opportunity and the safeguarding and welfare of all pupils
· Willingness to undertake training
· This post is subject to an enhanced DBS check
Ark is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people in our academies. In order to meet this responsibility, we follow a rigorous selection process. This process is outlined here, but can be provided in more detail if requested. All successful candidates will be subject to an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check.