The Causeway School Bishop Bell & Causeway Partnering For Excellence
Teaching Assistant
TA 1 –TA 3
£12,908.00 - £15,732.00 pa pro rata
30 hours per week term time only
INFORMATION FOR
APPLICANTS
CONTENTS
- Letter fromHeadteacherExecutive Headteacher
- Job Description
- Person Specification
Dear Colleague April 2012
Post: Teaching Assistant
Thank you for your interest in this post. We hope that you find the enclosed information useful.
The Causeway School is an 11-16 comprehensive school of nearly 900 students. The school is just 14 years old, built in 1998 and is co-located with Hazel Court Secondary Special School.
We are a rapidly improving school with a new Headteacher. It is an exciting time for the school. Ofsted have recently judged the school as good and we expect to be an outstanding school within the next few years.
“Students display good attitudes to their learning, to each other and their teachers when in class and around the school.” Ofsted Dec 2012
The results for students in 2012 are once again an improvement on a previous best and have changed the life chances of students. This year 96% of our students gained 5+ A*-C grade GCSE’s, an impressive year on year rise of 46 percentage points over the last 6 years. On this measure our students came 2nd in the County. The figures including English and Mathematics increased to 61% and have now doubled since 2007. Our 2013 expected Geography results are 87% A*-C with 25% A*/A. As an ‘Investor in People’ school we see all staff as fundamental to our principle aims of improving student outcomes.
You would be joining the school at an exciting time in its development and we are therefore seeking to appoint a committed and dynamic candidate.
The Post
Teaching Assistants form part of a team who work in all departments of the school. Teaching Assistants support students with either learning or behavior difficulties. They work in lessons, one to one or with a small of group of students as directed by the teacher or Special Educational Needs Coordinator.
Your application
Completed application forms should be sent to Mrs S Windsor, Partnership Personnel Manager, by the closing date of noon, Friday 10 May 2013. Applications may be sent by Email to: or posted to Mrs S Windsor, The Causeway School, Larkspur Drive, Eastbourne, East Sussex, BN23 8EJ.
Please complete the standard application form accompanied by a letter of application. We are unable to consider CVs in place of application forms unless you are a candidate with a disability and a CV is the most convenient method of applying. Please ensure you relate your skills, experience and abilities against each of the requirements listed in the person specification.
Please note, Causeway School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, and young people and expects all staff to share this commitment. Successful applicants will be required to undertake an ESCC criminal record check.
Having read this information we hope that you will decide to apply for the post but wish you good luck in your future whatever you decide.
Yours sincerely
G W Payne
Headteacher
The Causeway School
JOB DESCRIPTION
POST: Teaching Assistant
GRADE: Single Status Scale 2 - 4
RESPONSIBLE TO: SENCO
Main Purpose of the Job
To support students with either learning or behavior difficulties; work in lessons, one to one or with a small of group of students as directed by the teacher or Special Educational Needs Coordinator.
Main Functions
1To aid students to learn as effectively as possible both in group situations and on
his/her own by, for example:
- Clarifying and explaining instructions
- Ensuring the student(s) is able to use equipment and materials provided
- Motivating and encouraging the student(s) as required by providing levels of individual attention, reassurance and help with learning tasks as appropriate to students’ needs
- Assisting in weaker areas, e.g. speech and language, behaviour, reading, spelling, numeracy, handwriting/presentation etc
- Using praise, commentary and assistance to encourage the student to concentrate and stay on task
- Liaising with class teacher, SENCO & other professionals
- Assist in the dissemination of information to teaching staff
- Providing additional nurture to individuals when requested by the class teacher or SENCO
- Consistently and effectively implementing agreed behaviour management strategies
- Helping to make appropriate resources to support the student(s)
- Assist with the toileting of students on a rota system
- Meeting students’ physical needs while encouraging independence e.g. help students to change for PE lessons or swimming, clean and reassure students after accidental soiling of clothes, help with mobility around the school
2To establish supportive relationships with the student(s) concerned
3To promote the acceptance and inclusion of the student(s) with SEN, encouraging students to interact with each other in an appropriate and acceptable manner
4Monitor the student’s response to the learning activities and, where appropriate, modify or adapt the activities as agreed with the teacher to achieve the intended learning outcomes.
5Give the student(s) feedback on achievements in order to reinforce and develop self reliance and self esteem
6To support the student(s) in developing social skills both in and out of the classroom
7To provide regular feedback on the student(s)’ learning and behaviour to the teacher/SENCO, including feedback on the effectiveness of the behaviour strategies adopted
8Under the direction of the teacher, carry out and report on systematic observations of students to gather evidence of their knowledge, understanding and skills upon which the teacher makes judgements about their stage of development
9When working with a group of students, understand and use group dynamics to promote group effectiveness and support group and individual performance
10To use the school’s system (SIMS) for recording progress and maintaining student records
11 Where appropriate, to know and apply positive handling techniques
12 To prepare work and activities in advance of the lesson (within employed hours)
e.g. operating AVA equipment as required i.e. photocopier, laminator, making books,
labels, signs and undertaking practical tasks to maintain a good standard of
classroom appearance.
13 To know and apply school policies on Child Protection, Health and Safety,
Behaviour, Teaching and Learning, Equal Opportunities etc
14 Where appropriate to develop a relationship to foster links between home and
school, and to keep the school informed of relevant information
15 To be aware of confidential issues linked to home/student/teacher/school
16 To contribute towards reviews of student(s)’ progress as appropriate
17 To comply with legal and organisational requirements for maintaining the health,
safety and security of yourself and others in the learning environment
18 To take part in training activities offered by the school and the county to further
knowledge (within employed hours)
19 To be willing to support playground/break time supervision e.g. educational
games, homework clubs etc (within employed hours)
20 To accompany teacher and students on educational visits
21 To carry out the above duties in accordance with the Education Department’s
Equal Opportunities Policy.
This job description sets out the duties of the post at the time it was drawn up. The post holder may be required, from time to time, to undertake other duties within the School as may be reasonably expected, without changing thegeneral character of the duties or the level of responsibility entailed. This is a common occurrence and would not justify a reconsideration of the grading
of the post.
THE CAUSEWAY SCHOOL
PERSON SPECIFICATION:Teaching Assistant
Attributes / Essential / DesirableQualifications and training: / Good standard of general education especially English and Mathematics / IT qualifications
Further educational qualifications
Teaching Assistant NVQ level 2 or 3
Knowledge, Understanding &
Experience: / Any relevant experience of working with children and young people / Experience of using SIMS to maintain student records
Experience of supporting children in a classroom environment, including those with special educational needs
Experience of using Information Technology to support students in the classroom
Skills and Abilities: / Ability to use language and other communication skills that students can understand and relate to
Ability to establish positive relationships with students and empathise with their needs
Ability to demonstrate active listening skills
Ability to consistently and effectively implement agreed behaviour management strategies
Ability to provide levels of individual attention, reassurance and help with learning tasks as appropriate to students’ needs, encouraging the student to stay on task
Ability to monitor the students’ response to the learning activities and, where appropriate, modify or adapt the activities as agreed with the teacher to achieve the intended learning outcomes
Ability to carry out and report on systematic observations of students’ knowledge, understanding and skills
Ability to assist in the recording of lessons and assessment as required by the teacher
Ability to offer constructive feedback to students to reinforce self-esteem
Ability to work effectively and supportively as a member of the school team
Ability to work within and apply all school policies e.g. behaviour management,child protection, Health & Safety, Equal Opportunities
Good ICT skills
Ability to develop efficient record-keeping systems
Ability to show sensitivity and objectivity in dealing with confidential issues
Ability to present a professional school image
An ability to communicate well with people of all ages.
Personal Qualities: / A commitment to equal opportunities, inclusion and comprehensive education.
A positive and enthusiastic work ethic.
Willingness to positively promote the School’s aims and community ethos.
Willingness to participate in further training and developmental opportunities.
Good health and attendance record.
Ability to maintain confidentiality on all school matters
Criterion assessment by: =application form; = letter of application; = interview;test