October 2017

Dear Applicant,

Thank you for applying for one of the two‘Midday Supervision Assistant’ positions at this academy.

The successful applicants will:

  • Have high personal and professional standards
  • Have high expectations of themselves
  • Be passionate about providing a safe and caring environment whilst the children eat their lunch
  • Enjoy working closely and cooperatively as part of a team

Please find enclosed with this letter:

-Information about the academy;

-A role profile;

-Equal Opportunities Monitoring Form and Application Form

I would also encourage you to visit the academy's website to get a flavour of what we are about! The academy is a very vibrant place in which to work.

The closing date for applications is 12:00 noon on Tuesday 28th November and interviews are currently scheduled for 9:30 onwards on Thursday 30th November. I look forward to receiving your completed application if you choose to apply!

Yours sincerely,

Mr N. Toyne

Headteacher

Devonshire has an interesting history!

Devonshire Primary Academy is situated at the heart of an area of economic and social deprivation in a densely populated part of Blackpool. The previous Junior School building was destroyed by fire in August, 2003 and some 400 pupils were transported on a daily basis by double-decker buses to accommodation in another socially-deprived area of Blackpool for three years.

In September, 2005 Devonshire Primary School was established by amalgamating the infant and junior schools and, a year later, moved into a new, state-of-the-art, innovative building based on the unique 'beehive school' concept, designed to accommodate and support the school's commitment to inclusion and participation and to establish an exemplar school with many sustainable strategies; it's north south orientation provides optimum environmental performance. The roof of the main hall is also fully accessible as a landscaped technology 'deck' and a large allotment area has been developed, toinclude livestock. The learning spaces are a comfortable environment with fantastic acoustic properties and there is a 'sound field' system in every classroom. The school is flexible and adaptable; it is also secure and inclusive. The stratified nature of the building elevates the majority of the children and provides 'natural' security, whilst at the same time the academy is fully inclusive and accessible. The vertical zoning also allows the shared and community facilities at ground floor to be used out of hours. All stakeholders were involved in the consultation process for the new build and school worked very closely in partnership with the architects, builders and local authority to deliver a shared vision of a school for the 21st Century. Since then there has been continuous heavy investment in resources, particularly in terms of ICT, so that we have a learning environment that is the envy of many.

Devonshire has achieved ‘Healthy Schools’ status through its commitment to meeting children's physical, social, emotional and academic needs, through reducing health inequalities, promoting social inclusion and raising pupil achievement through school improvement. Children start our school with attainment well below that typical for their age. A high proportion of pupils have learning difficulties and/or disabilities and there are a number of 'looked after' children. Devonshire has a very real belief that every child does matter and there is a whole school ethos and commitment which permeates through all that we do. In terms of participation and enabling pupils to enjoy and achieve, Ofsted has noted that "pupils enthusiastically enter into the wide range of sporting and healthy living activities offered by the school". In order to raise aspirations, a highly successful careers forum has been staged for the past few years to demonstrate the possibilities for positive contribution - and we have shared this good practice with other schools in Blackpool. The School has achieved, or is in the process of achieving, various quality marks and awards for the learning environment created.

In September, 2013 Devonshire converted to become an academy as part of the Blackpool Multi-Academy Trust along with Anchorsholme Primary, Revoe Learning Academy and Park Special School and benefits from a unique relationship which has been established between the three schools. The MAT was then approved to sponsor another local school and continues to develop initiatives which have exciting potential for all 4 academies.

These are just a few of the examples of the work we do at Devonshire. Ofsted confirmed in our most recent inspection that "this is a good and improving school where the care, guidance and support for pupils are exceptionally strong".

We have come on a very unique journey and believe that we now have something very special at Devonshire. We cherish this particular Ofsted comment: "Devonshire is a happy place for pupils to learn".

Role Profile
Midday Supervision Assistant
Purpose of the role (job statement)
To work as part of a team monitoring pupils’ behaviour during the midday break.
Responsibilities
Key duties:
  1. Supervise activities and maintain the health, safety, welfare, good conduct and safeguarding of pupils during the midday break, having regard to special or additional needs.
  2. Report incidents in line with school policy.
  3. Communicate with pupils and encourage them to select and eat healthy balanced meals
  4. Clean up spillages of food or liquid during meal service
  5. Wipe down tables and clean dining areas between meals
  6. Carries out routine tasks
  7. Follows procedures and instructions
  8. Maintain confidentiality and adhere to safeguarding procedures
Individuals in this role may also:
  1. Assist in the supervision of other activities during the midday break, including setting out and storing equipment
  2. Serve food as and when required
  3. Undertake similar work at other times, such as before and after school.
  4. Demonstrate own duties to new or less experienced staff

Indicative knowledge, skills and experience
  • Requires knowledge of school procedures for supervision of midday meals service and lunchtime activities