Learning Support Assistant

 Looking for a new and exciting challenge?

 Excited by the prospect of contributing to the development of a new school in brand new facilities?

 Keen to work in a supportive team with many opportunities for career progression?

Ark Byron is a two form entry primary school based on the edge of Acton Park. We opened three years ago and moved to our new site on the edge of Acton Park in February 2018.  This year Ark Byron has classes from Reception to Year 3 and each year we will grow until the school has pupils from 4 to 11 years old.

We are now looking for a Learning Support Assistant to join our team. The Learning Support Assistant will work with class teams to provide targeted support for individual pupils with special educational needs.  They will help to deliver a differentiated curriculum and targeted interventions to ensure that pupils make outstanding progress in their education, health and care outcomes.    We are looking for candidates who have experience working with children with special educational needs, including the use of Makaton.  

Ark Byron works to provide the best possible education and experience for its pupils. We focus on citizenship and a drive for academic success. Our core values are “courage,” “exploration,” “endeavour” and “excellence.” We take great pride in the diversity of our student body, celebrating all backgrounds and cultures. Our community is already very strong and we are fortunate to have a committed and supportive parent body.

If you are looking for an opportunity to propel a new school forward and be part of children’s development at a crucial time in their life, we would love to hear from you.

Join our school and you will be supported by the expertise of the academy leadership team as well as gaining access to the Ark network of continuing professional development.  This is a great opportunity for graduates wishing to pursue a career in primary teaching and represents excellent preparation for teacher training programmes such the Ark Teacher Training programme www.arkteachertraining.org.

Our ideal candidate will:

• Have experience working with children with special educational needs and using Makaton to support communication 

• Have experience delivering a differentiated Key Stage 1 and 2 primary curriculum and targeted interventions

• Have a strong academic background in English and mathematics

• Be a positive role model for the pupils 

• Believe in high expectations and be committed to seeing that every child reaches their full potential.

• Be a good team player

• Be able to inspire learning in and beyond the classroom. 

If you have the drive and enthusiasm for a challenging and rewarding new opportunity, then we’d love to hear from you.

If you would like to discuss the role or have any queries, please contact the school on 020 3110 0787 (Miss Watson).

Apply via our online application form.

Closing date: 5pm on Friday 7th June 2019 (we may start interviews for suitable candidates earlier if we receive applications before this date)

Start date: September 2019

Salary: Band 4 (inner London) £20,002 pa NB pro rata term time only 

(£17,128.68 pa actual) 

1-year contract: we anticipate that the role will continue beyond one year but is dependent on annually reviewed SEN funding arrangements.

Ark is committed to safeguarding children; successful candidates will be subject to an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check.

Job Description: Learning Support Assistant 

Reporting to: SENCo

Start date: September 2019

Salary: Band 4 (inner London) £20,002 pro rata term time only 

                                     (£17,128.68 actual)

1-year contract.

The Role

To support individual pupils with special educational needs to access the curriculum and school life as independently as possible and make outstanding progress in their educational, health and care outcomes.  To work as part of a class team to deliver a differentiated curriculum matched to the pupils’ needs.  To deliver targeted interventions under the guidance of the teacher, SENCo and a range of health and education professionals (e.g. speech and language therapists, occupational therapists).  To take on general class and whole-school duties under the direction of the teacher and senior leadership team.

Key Responsibilities

• Working as part of a class team to deliver a differentiated Key Stage 1 and 2 curriculum

• Delivering targeted interventions as outlined in individual children’s Education, Health and Care Plans  

• Feeding back to the teacher on progress made by individual children

• Encouraging children to take responsibility for their own learning and promoting the development of self-esteem 

• Liaison with the SENCO, external professionals and parents

• Playtime and lunchtime duties

Outcomes and Activities

Learning Support

• Plan and facilitate group teaching

• Plan and undertake direction for one to one teaching and intervention

• Observe, record and feedback information of pupil performance

• Assist in creating materials for curriculum delivery and display boards

• Assist with whole class teaching

• Assist with behaviour management within and outside the classroom.

• Promote inclusion and acceptance of all pupils in the school, including those with physical, learning, communication and social and emotional difficulties

• Work with teachers to assess the needs of individual children

• Work with the teacher and SENCO to implement Individual Education Plans and develop resources for pupils who have: communication needs, learning needs, social and emotional needs, physical and medical needs.

• Provide off-site community based opportunities for pupils, if appropriate to the job assignment.

• Assist pupils' achievement outside of the classroom

Other Support

• Supervise pupils in playgrounds, lunchrooms, etc.

• Assist with follow-through for related services, e.g., speech/language therapy, occupational therapy, physical therapy, medical advice

• With the teacher, develop communication with families 

• Attend regular meetings and training, as required

• Participate in trips and visits.

Other

• Undertake other various responsibilities as directed by the Head of School.

 

Person Specification: Learning Support Assistant

Qualification Criteria

• Maths and English GCSE or equivalent at grade C or above

• Qualified to degree level

• Right to work in UK.

Behaviours

Personal characteristics

• Genuine passion and a belief in the potential of every pupil

• Helpful, positive, calm and caring nature

• Able to establish good working relationships with all other staff

• Able to follow instructions accurately but make good judgments and lead when required.

Specific skills

• Good communication skills, including written and oral

• Competent in Makaton

• Good numeracy and literacy skills

• Competent with computers and other technology

• Good administrative and organisational skills

• Able to lead intervention sessions for pupils after receiving training 

• Able to understand and implement particular strategies and methods to help pupils to improve their learning and enjoyment of learning

• Able to help implement the necessary routines and patterns to establish good behaviour management within the school

• Able to deal with minor incidents, first aid, and the personal health and hygiene of the pupils 

• Show discretion and understand the importance of confidentiality

Other desirable training and skills

• Other interests such as Art, ICT,  music (playing an instrument) or sporting activity

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 disclosure.

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.  Any omissions or discrepancies in employment history will be explored.