SEN Teaching Assistant

Reporting to: SENCO

Start date: As soon as possible

Location: Ark Kings Academy

Contract: Permanent

Hours: 37.5 hours per week excluding lunch, Monday-Friday 8:00am-4:00pm, 39 weeks per year

 Salary: Ark Support Scale 5: Pay Points 5 – 12, (£19,650-£22,571),  Actual Salary £17,529.77-£20,135.59

Closing Date: 5:00pm on Friday 27th May 2022

 Ark Kings – transforming the lives of our students

In September 2017, Ark Kings became an all-through academy admitting children from Reception to Year 11 and has improved both academically and in the provision, we provide. We have extended this offer in 2019 to opening a nursery for our 3-year-olds.

This is a growing school serving its local community – a school that meets the needs of each of its students and has the highest expectations of every one of them to do well. We want to transform the life chances of every student who comes to this school. We focus on academic excellence and make sure that every child achieves their potential in subjects that will serve them well beyond school.

In order for pupils to be successful and happy in school, so much is dependent on the work of our teachers and support staff. To this end we focus heavily on personal and professional development and offer a supportive environment that encourages both staff and pupils to be their best. This is why it is important to recruit excellent staff to serve our pupils and staff. We are currently looking for an excellent Level 3 SEN Teaching Assistant to be an integral part of our family.

The Role

As a SEN Teaching Assistant you will support pupils, parents, and teachers, to establish a supportive 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.

Job Description: SEN Teaching Assistant

Key Responsibilities

Learning Support

•  Support pupil learning through the delivery of specific learning programmes, setting high expectations whilst encouraging their independence and building their confidence
• Promote inclusion, encouraging pupils to interact and work collaboratively
• Work with the SENCO and other teachers to assess the needs of individual children, contribute to and implement Individual Education Plans
• Adapt and develop resources for EAL and SEND pupils, ensuring their safety and enabling them to access the curriculum
• Assist with follow-through for related services (speech/language/physical therapy etc.)
• Mentor students on a 1:1 and group basis, as well as planning and leading a series of booster and intervention sessions to tackle difficult topics
• Observe, record and feedback information of pupil performance
• Assist in creating materials for curriculum delivery and display boards
• Assist with whole class teaching
• Use strategies, in liaison with the teacher to assist in behaviour management and to support pupils in their learning objectives
• Assist pupils' achievement outside of the classroom, e.g. computer lab, library
• Support all vulnerable children and act as Key Worker to students with Special Educational Needs and Social, Emotional and Behavioural Difficulties
• Work with students on an individual and/or small group basis, in and out of lessons
• Plan and implementing strategies for students on the Pastoral Support Programme, ensuring students adhere to accepted behavioural norms
• Develop resources for students with SEN

Support for the school

•  Supervise pupils in playgrounds, lunchrooms etc and assist with general pastoral care
•  Accompany teachers and pupils on trips and out of school activities as required within contract hours, taking responsibility for pupils under the supervision of the teacher

Other

• Actively promote the safety and welfare of our children and young people
• Ensure compliance with Arks data protection rules and procedures
• Liaise with colleagues and external contacts at all levels of seniority with confidence, tact and diplomacy
• Work with Ark Central and other academies in the Ark network, to establish good practice throughout the network, offering support where required

This job description is not an exhaustive list and you will be expected to carry out any other reasonable tasks as directed by your line manager.

Person Specification: SEN Teaching Assistant

Qualifications

•  Maths and English GCSE or equivalent at grade C or above (or equiv)
• Certified teach assistant course or training or willingness to undertake this

Knowledge, Skills and Experience

• 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 including; 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 and literacy skills
• Good administrative, organisational and computer skills
• Competent with computers and other technology
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with children and adults
• Able to deal with minor incidents, first aid, and pupil’s personal health and hygiene

Behaviours

•  Genuine passion for and a belief in the potential of every pupil
• A robust awareness of keeping children safe, noticing safeguarding and welfare concerns, and you understand how and when to take appropriate action.
• Belief that every student should have access to an excellent education regardless of background
• Professional outlook, detailed orientated and able to multi task and meet deadlines
• A team player that can work collaboratively as well as using own initiative
• Helpful, positive, patient and caring nature
• Calm and professional under pressure
• Understanding of the importance of confidentiality and discretion
• Flexible attitude towards work and demonstrates sound judgement

Other

•  Right to work in the UK
•  Commitment to equality of opportunity and the safeguarding and welfare of all students
• 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.