Teaching Assistant (Level 3 Higher Level): Job Description

Teaching assistant (level 3 – higher level): job description

TEACHING ASSISTANT (LEVEL 3 – HIGHER LEVEL): JOB DESCRIPTION

Reviewed without change: April 2014

Next review: January 2015

Salary

[Insert – in accordance with the school’s support staff structure and/or any local agreement that are in place].

Line of responsibility

The teaching assistant (level 3) will be directly responsible to the principal teaching assistant [or insert appropriate post holder].

Job purpose

The teaching assistant (level 3) is responsible for:

Working under the guidance of teaching/senior staff, and within an agreed system of supervision, to implement pre-determined work programmes with individuals and groups of students in or out of the classroom.
Assisting the class teacher with the whole planning cycle and the management and preparation of resources.
Supervising as required whole groups, occasionally and maintaining good order and keeping students on task.
Contributing to the overall ethos, work and aims of the school.

Duties and responsibilities

Main duties and responsibilities are indicated below. Other duties of an appropriate level and nature may also be required, as directed by the headteacher and line manager. Please note that the post holder may be required to work outside of normal school working hours for extended school status activities, school events, meetings and emergencies.

Conditions of employment

The above responsibilities are subject to the general duties and responsibilities contained in the written statement of conditions of employment (the contract of employment).
Support and encourage the school’s ethos and its objectives, policies and procedures as agreed by the governing body.
Uphold the school’s policy in respect of child protection and safeguarding matters.
Subject to all relevant statutory and institutional requirements.
Required to perform any other reasonable tasks after consultation.

· This job description allocates duties and responsibilities but does not direct the particular amount of time to be spent on carrying them out and no part of it may be so constructed.

· This job description is not necessarily a comprehensive definition of the post. It will be reviewed at least once a year and it may be subject to modification at any time after consultation with the post holder.

· All members of staff are required to participate in the school’s appraisal scheme.

Job specification

Operational

Establish and maintain good relationships with all students, parents/carers, colleagues and other professionals.
Understand and implement the school’s behaviour policy and code of conduct including the issuing of rewards and sanctions within the school’s policies and procedures.
Ensure that students are aware of the school’s behaviour policy and code of conduct, and support students to comply with them and to understand the consequences of their behaviour.
Report any incidents of unacceptable behaviour or issues of concern to the appropriate member of staff.
Support teaching staff in respect of planning, preparation, assessment and administration.
Attend planning meetings and contribute to the overall process for the planning, preparation of and reviewing lessons, activities and programmes under the guidance of the class teacher.
Prepare and deliver lessons under the guidance of the class teacher.
Support teachers in selecting and preparing teaching resources that meet the needs and interests of students.
Work with colleagues to establish an appropriate learning environment, and to plan, evaluate and adjust lesson/work plans.
Supervise and provide support to individuals, groups and classes of students including those with special educational needs (SEN) ensuring their safety and access to learning activities, and encouraging them to become independent learners within their own ability.
Support students consistently while recognising and responding to their individual needs.
Motivate and encourage students, and help them to develop their self-esteem.
Encourage students to interact and work co-operatively with others.
Implement pre-determined learning activities and teaching programmes for individuals and groups of students including those linked to national and local learning strategies, adjusting activities according to student needs and responses.
Make effective use of opportunities provided by other learning activities to support the development of relevant skills.
Assist students to access learning activities through specialist support.
Promote and encourage the acceptance and integration of all students by using appropriate strategies and ensuring equal access to opportunities to learn and develop.
Adopt appropriate strategies and approaches to support and assist students in achieving their learning goals.
Work to establish a supportive relationship with parents/carers in order to facilitate strong and constructive links between home and school.
Liaise sensitively and effectively with parents/carers as agreed with the class teacher and participate in feedback sessions and meetings with parents/carers alongside the teacher or as directed.
Establish and develop in discussion with the class teacher constructive relationships with outside agencies, other schools, organisations and professionals to support student progress and achievement.
Determine the need for, and prepare and maintain, general and specialist equipment and resources including ICT.
Use ICT effectively to support learning activities and develop students’ competence and independence in its use.
Produce additional curriculum materials to support teaching programmes, in discussion with colleagues.
Ensure students are able to use the equipment, other specific aids and materials.
Contribute to the development and implementation of individual education plans (IEPs) individual behaviour plans and personal care plans for students.
Monitor and evaluate students’ progress and responses in respect to all learning activities through observation and planned recording of achievement against pre-determined learning objectives.
Keep and update records as agreed with the teacher, and contribute to the review of systems.
Provide objective and accurate verbal and written feedback to the teacher and other professionals on student achievement, progress and other matters ensuring availability of appropriate evidence.
Provide students with feedback on their progress, development and achievements.
Implement and undertake the supervision of students during breaktimes, lunchtimes and extra-curricular activities as required.
Co-ordinate and assist in putting up and maintaining appropriate displays within the classroom and school.

Administrative

Undertake a range of clerical and administrative tasks as required, for example, photocopying, word-processing, filing, faxing, collation of student reports, administering coursework, collecting and recording payments, producing worksheets for pre-determined activities.
Ensure that all administrative duties, checks and documentation are completed to the required level of accuracy and within deadlines, including returns and reports.
Input and extract information from the school’s database system/s as required.
Collate information, statistics and prepare reports as required by her/his line manager, the headteacher and the governing body.
Maintain both manual and computerised record and filing systems in line with requirements.
Take minutes/notes in meetings as required and circulate associated information.
Administer and assess routine tests and undertake the marking of students’ work.

General

· Assist in the supervision, training and development of teaching assistants and other staff as required.

· Attend parents’ evenings, open days and meetings with parents/carers and other professionals as required.

· Supervise students on educational visits and participate in extra-curricular activities as required.

· Invigilate school and public examinations and tests as required.

· Attend relevant meetings and training sessions.

· Recognise own strengths and areas of specialist expertise, and use these to lead, advise and support others.

· Undertake first aid training and responsibilities as required.

· Comply with policies and procedures relating to child protection, health, safety and security, confidentiality and data protection, reporting all concerns to an appropriate person.

· Keep abreast of developments and changes in her/her field and communicate to colleagues as appropriate.

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Teaching assistant (level 3 – higher level): job description

TEACHING ASSISTANT (LEVEL 3 – HIGHER LEVEL): PERSON SPECIFICATION

Essential

Desirable

Evidence

Qualifications and experience:

· Educated to at least GCSE grade C standard or equivalent in English and mathematics.
· Familiarisation with the content of DFE teaching assistant induction materials.
· NVQ 3 for teaching assistants or equivalent qualification and/or experience.
· Experience of working with children/young people in an environment to support learning.
· Experience in the supervision of staff. /

Qualifications and experience:

· Successful completion of training in relevant field/s e.g. dyslexia, sign language, braille, bilingual, literacy/numeracy/ICT learning programmes.
· Experience of working with external agencies and other professionals.
· First aid qualification or willingness to gain one. / Application form
Letter of application
References
Interviews
Certificate/s (to be available at interview)

Knowledge and skills:

· Ability to build and form good relationships with students, parents/carers and colleagues.
· Strong verbal and written communication skills appropriate to the need to communicate effectively with colleagues, students, parents/carers and other professionals.
· Ability to work constructively as part of a team, understanding school roles and responsibilities including own.
· Very good standard of numeracy and literacy skills.
· Ability to use a range of ICT packages and equipment effectively to support learning.
· Ability to absorb and understand a wide range of information.
· Ability to improve own practice/knowledge through self-evaluation and learning opportunities.
· Understanding of principles of child development, learning processes & barriers to learning.
· Working knowledge of national curriculum and other learning programmes/strategies.
· Working knowledge of relevant policies and procedures, and awareness of relevant legislation. /

Knowledge and skills:

· Working knowledge of behaviour management strategies.
· Knowledge of an additional language. / Application form
Letter of application
References
Interviews

Personal qualities:

· A diplomatic and patient approach.
· Able to appropriately deal with confidential information/situations.
· Able to follow direction from line manager.
· Ability to show initiative and to prioritise one’s own work and meet required deadlines.
· Efficient and meticulous in organisation.
· Desire to enhance and develop skills and knowledge through CPD.
· Commitment to the highest standards of child protection and safeguarding.
· Recognition of the importance of personal responsibility for health and safety.
· Commitment to the school’s ethos, aims and its whole community. / Application form
Letter of application
References
Interviews
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