Job Description and Person Specification

Higher Level Teaching Assistant (HLTA)

(Primary)

The Lilac Sky Schools Academy TrustJobDescription

Post: / Higher Level Teaching Assistant(HLTA)
Reportsto: / SENCO/ Inclusion Manager
Liaisingwith: / Principal,Senior LeadershipTeam,Principals PA, staff, pupils, parents/carers, external agencies/ professionals
MainPurpose:
To work with teachers as part of a professional team to support learning activities for classes. The primary focus will be to work under the professional direction of a teacher and within an agreed system of supervision in delivering lessons set by teachers and/ or support pupils undertaking lessons delivered via distance learning or computer aided techniques.
Level 1 HLTA’s will be expected to progress pupils’ learning and to assess, record and report on development, progress and attainment as agreed with the teacher.
Key Functions:
  • Assist the teacher to plan challenging teaching and learning objectives
  • Work with individuals or small groups of pupils under the direction of teaching staff
  • Support pupils with activities which support literacy, numeracy and other skills
  • Use detailed knowledge and specialist skills to support and progress pupils’ learning
  • Cover lessons in event of teachers absence

Specific
Responsibilities:
Themainresponsibilitiesof thepostare to:
Cover for Teachers
  • Cover lessons for teachers who are absent, following lesson plans and schemes of work set by the class teacher
  • Take classes to cover PPA time for teachers on a weekly basis
  • Help to plan and assess PPA cover lessons in line with the agreed schemes of work
  • Maintain a high standard of behaviour in cover lessons using Trust behaviour policies and routines
  • Provide feedback to and raise with teachers whose lessons are covered
Support for Teachers
  • Organise and manage an appropriate learning environment
  • Monitor and evaluate pupil responses to learning activities through a range of assessment and monitoring strategies against pre-determined learning objectives

  • Provide objective and accurate feedback and reports to teachers
  • Record progress and achievement in lessons/ activities systematically and provide evidence of range and level of progress and attainment
  • Establish a clear framework for discipline in line with established policy, anticipate and manage behaviour constructively, promoting self-control and independence
  • Support the role of parents/carers in pupils’ learning and contribute to/lead meetings with parents/carers to provide constructive feedback on pupil progress/ achievement
  • Support the teacher in implementing specific teaching programmes
  • Assist the teacher in setting appropriate learning and behaviour expectations of pupils and supporting pupils appropriately to achieve these
Support for pupils
  • Establish productive working relationships with pupils, acting as a role model and setting high expectations
  • Promote the inclusion and acceptance of all pupils within the classroom
  • Support pupils consistently whilst recognizing and responding to their individual needs
  • Encourage pupils to interact and work co-operatively with others and engage all pupils in activities
  • Promote independence and employ strategiesto recognise and reward achievement of self-reliance
  • Provide feedback to pupils in relation to progress and achievement
  • Supervise and assist individual/small groups of pupils in activities set by teachers or by the LSA with teacher guidance
  • Supervise whole classes for limited periods of time as required
  • Build and maintain successful relationships with pupils, treat them consistently, with respect and consideration
  • Help reinforce and promote independent learning and social skills by supporting pupils in groups
  • Assist pupils with physical needs
  • Keep the pupils on task and to build motivation by modeling good practice
  • Prepare pupils beforehand for a task
  • Build pupils’ confidence and enhance self-esteem and actively seek to promote the academic, social and emotional welfare of pupils
  • Implement Trust behaviour management policies in accordance with guidance provided by the teacher
  • Attend formal and informal meetings with teachers to contribute to planning lessons/ activities
  • Prepare materials and resources
  • Work on differentiated activities with identified groups
  • Take every opportunity to develop pupils’ language, reading, mathematics and related skills as directed by subject specific teachers
  • Supervise practical tasks
  • Support the use of ICT in the classroom and develop pupils’ competence and independence in its use
  • Promote positive pupil behaviour in line with Trust policies and help keep pupils on task

  • in the presence of the teacher, present agreed learning tasks in a clear and stimulating manner to help maintain pupils’ interest and motivation; to work with pupils individually and collectively by contributing to decisions about the most appropriate learning goals and strategies
  • Assist with escorting pupils on educational visits
  • Build and maintain close and secure relationships with pupils, attending to and ensuring the case, health and welfare of children at all time, including the dressing and undressing, toileting and cleaning of pupils where necessary
General
  • Assist with the development and implementation of support plans
  • Under the direction of appropriate professionals and after adequate training, to assist in meeting particular pupils’ needs, e.g. physical development, speech /language development, and medical needs identified in an approved care plan agreed by parents.
  • Liaise with other staff and provide information about pupils as appropriate
  • Comply with policies and procedures relating to child protection
  • Attend relevant academy meetings as required
  • Ensure that all duties and services provided are in accordance with the academy policy
  • To comply with individual responsibilities, in accordance with the role, for health and safety within the workplace
  • To respect confidentiality at all times
  • Share the academy’s commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all young people
  • Participate in the performance and development review process, taking personal responsibility for identification of learning, development and training opportunities in discussion with line manager
  • Carry out other roles and tasks as reasonably requested by the Principal

The Lilac Sky Schools Academy TrustPersonSpecification

Position: Higher Level Teaching Assistant (HLTA) (Primary)

TheAcademy Trustare dedicatedtoappointingthebest possiblecandidateforthe positionofHLTAat the Academy.

Thesuccessfulcandidate will havetheabilitytomotivateandinspirethosethat they work with, break throughthebarriersofexpectationsandharnessallopportunitiesto createa climateofsuccess andachievement forall.

HLTA’s at our academy willwanttomakea difference.Theywill beready for achallengeand will bringawealthofinnovativeandoutstandingideas toengageall stakeholders.Our HLTA’swillbeapproachableand consistent; theywillgive andearn respectfromourpupils,staff,parents andcarers.

Essential / Desirable / Evidencedin
Degree or equivalent qualification /  / Application
Education to at least Level 3 standard /  / Application
HLTA qualification or equivalent /  / Application
Minimum of Level 2 qualification in English and Mathematics /  / Application Interview
Evidence of continuous professional development /  / Application Interview
First Aid qualified /  / Application
Interview
Experience
Experience of coaching young people /  / Application Interview References
Experience of working within a school setting /  / Application
Interview
References
Experience of using strategies to manage challenging behaviour /  / Application Interview
Experience of supporting young people of all abilities including those with SEN, EAL and /or who are Gifted and Talented /  / Application Interview References
Experience of delivering specific intervention programmes /  / Application Interview
References
Experience of developing and delivering consistently effective monitoring and tracking of pupils’ successes and areas for development /  / Application Interview References
Knowledge andSkills /  / 
Understanding of how to monitor and track the progress of pupils /  /  / Application
Interview
Understanding of how, as an adult in an education environment, you can create a culture of high expectations /  /  / Application
Interview
An understanding of the complex lives that some young people lead /  / Application
Interview
References
Understanding of safeguarding /  / Application
Interview
Knowledge of child learning processes and Special Educational Needs /  / Application
Interview
References
Proven ability to manage a demanding workload, work under pressure and deal with conflicting demands /  / Application
Interview
References
Ability to overcome communication barriers with children and adults /  / Application
Interview
References
Ability to understand and implement the academy’s behavior management policy /  / Application
Interview
Good understanding of the academy’s curriculum /  / Application
Interview
Experience of working with collaborative partnerships /  / Application
Interview
Personal Attributes
Resilience – the ability to remain calm and work well under pressure /  / Application
Interview
References
Proven ability to think both strategically and creatively /  / Application
Interview
References
Ability to use initiative to respond to unexpected problems using recognized procedures and policies as a guide /  / Application
Interview
References
Excellent communication skills (including written, oral and presentation skills) /  / Application
Interview
References
A commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people /  / Application
Interview
References
Ability to work creatively and collaboratively /  / Application
Interview
Demonstrably professional, honest and loyal /  / Application
Interview
References
Flexible and open to continuous change /  / Application
Interview
Commitment to our pupils and their learning, wellbeing and safety /  / Application
Interview
Committed to equality /  / Application
Interview
Able to build and maintain successful and purposeful relationships /  / Application
Interview
Ability to work effectively within a team /  / Application
Interview