JOB DESCRIPTION
DIRECTORATE:
Education / NAME OF SCHOOL:
Ben Jonson Primary School
POST TITLE:
Early Years Educator / GRADE:
Scale 5
RESPONSIBLE TO:Class Teacher, SENCO and SLT
STAFF SUPERVISED:OccasionalSupervision of Support Staff
PURPOSE OF THE JOB:
  1. To provide higher level support for pupils, the teacher and the school in order to raise standards of achievements for all pupils, to encourage pupils to become independent learners, to ensure their safety and welfare and support the inclusion of pupils in all aspects of school life.
  2. Under the direction and supervision of the class teacher, to work with whole classes, smaller groups and individuals, carrying out ‘specified work’ as outlined in regulations and guidance under Section 133 of the Education Act 2003.

MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
  1. To work with the manager/teacher(s) to develop and implement a curriculum appropriate to the age of the children, incorporating the Foundation Stage Guidance.
  1. To participate in maintaining and developing contact and communication with parents, primary schools, social services and all other agencies relevant to the children in the school/ class /care group.
  1. To share responsibility for creating and maintaining a high quality learning and caring environment (both inside and out), with resources and facilities being developed and used to their maximum, while good health and safety standards are maintained.
  1. Together with colleagues, to identify children with special educational needs and work with the manager/teacher to develop a curriculum and environment which is appropriate and provides for these individual needs.
  1. Together with colleagues to ensure equality of opportunity enabling all children to access a full range of provision.
  1. To work with individual children/students, groups, or whole class under the direction of the class teacher, introducing tasks, monitoring children’s work and using a range of strategies to support their learning.
  1. To observe pupils’ performance, and using the systems in place in the school/class, provide the teacher with feedback on pupil progress and help maintain individual and group records.
  1. To manage and appraise an identified group of Teaching Assistants.
JOB ACTIVITIES:
Teaching / Classroom
  1. To take daily responsibility for setting up classroom/care group room and of displays and outside activity areas, checking equipment and ensuring the maintenance of a safe, creative and stimulating classroom environment.
  1. To ensure resources, including information technology, are available and in good condition and appropriate to the needs of the children in line with the planned activities and the curriculum programme.
  1. To take daily responsibility for planning and evaluating activities.
  1. To be responsible for supporting children and parents during the settling in period.
  1. Directing centres of interest (activities) and working with groups of children during periods of self- directed activities; ensuring the daily management programme is fulfilled.
  1. To be responsible for taking and maintaining registers as required.
  1. Serving and supervising lunch and other refreshments as required.
  1. Daily attention to health and safety issues.
  1. Regular observation, recording and reporting of children’s progress.
  1. Providing emergency first aid and dealing with emergencies as required.
  1. Contribute effectively to teachers’ planning and preparation of lessons.
Parents and Professionals
  1. Maintaining regular contact with parents about the school’s view of their children’s progress and passing on advice to parents about their child and child development issues.
  1. Regular liaison and consultation with other professionals and agencies about children in centre/ school with regard to SEN issues, child protection and the general welfare of the children. Together with teaching staff, complete official records as required and ensure Child Protection and Inclusion Policies are fully adhered to.
  1. To help support the school’s programme for parental and community involvement including undertaking home visits (accompanied by another member of staff), outreach work, placement visits and contract meetings.
Professional Development – Personal
  1. Attending and participating in INSET days.
  1. Attending and participating in relevant training and sharing the knowledge and ideas gained with colleagues in the class/care group room.
  1. To actively participate in the school’s appraisal scheme as specified in the school policy. Meeting regularly with the postholder’s line manager, in accordance with the scheme, ensuring that appraisal standards/targets are set and met within the agreed time scale.
Professional Development of Others
  1. To disseminate information to teaching assistants and ensure that they are deployed effectively.
  1. To help support the integration of the LA and the school’s policy on equal opportunities into all aspects of the school.
  1. To contribute to producing/updating policy documents, inset training, etc for the school in the area of responsibility.
  1. To undertake appraisal for an identified group of Support Staff.
  1. To share skills with less-experienced colleagues and trainees on work placements, modelling good practice and providing simple demonstrations.
  1. To provide individual support and feedback to newly-recruited Teaching Assistants, NN’s and to colleagues on training programmes, acting as a mentor if required.
  1. To liaise with Year Group Leaders/AHT daily regarding cover, learning environment and requirements of the team of TAs within the phase.
  1. Participating in the support and training of students, including student Nursery Nurses, trainee Teachers, NVQ Students, work experience placements, Nurses, etc, as required.
OTHER DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
  1. To undertake duties associated with jobs up to and including the same grade, provided such duties are within the competence of the postholder.
  1. To ensure all duties and responsibilities are discharged in accordance with the school’s health and safety at work policy
  1. To undertake other reasonable duties commensurate with the grade of the post
PROFESSIONAL CHARACTERISTICS
Demonstrate that you are an effective professional who challenges and supports all pupils and staff to do their best through:
•inspiring trust and confidence,
•building team commitment,
•engaging and motivating pupils and staff,
•analytical thinking,
APPRAISAL
Appraisal assessment will be based on the responsibilities listed above and judgements will be made against these within the agreed time scale, as part of the school’s appraisal cycle.
CONDITIONS OF SERVICE
Governed by the National Agreement on Pay and Conditions of service, supplemented by local conditions as agreed by the Governors.
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY
The post holder will be expected to undertake all duties in the context of and in compliance with the school’s and council’s equal opportunities policies
SAFEGUARDING CHILDREN
The school is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. The successful candidate will require an enhanced DBS clearance.
The above job description was agreed on …………………………… (date). It may be reviewed and/or amended at any time but before this happens you will be given appropriate opportunities to discuss the proposed amendments. It will be reviewed as part of the annual appraisal process.
______Signed by (Post holder)
______Signed by (Head teacher)
PERSON SPECIFICATION
  1. The ability to work as part of a team.
  1. The ability to communicate effectively with individuals and groups of children, teachers, parents and other members of staff.
  1. The ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with teachers and other members of staff.
  1. The ability to accept guidance and direction from teachers.
  1. The ability to keep written records and support the development of pupils’ skills with confidence.
  1. Awareness of how pupils learn and the various factors which affect their learning.
  1. Awareness of the need to show respect and value pupils as individuals.
  1. An understanding of and commitment to inclusive education.
  1. A sympathetic approach to parents and an understanding of the need for confidentiality.
  1. Experience of leading and managing staff
  1. The ability to provide support and guidance to colleagues on professional development opportunities.
  1. The ability to manage and supervise the work of a team of teaching assistants.
  1. Demonstration of key skills through the achievement of a nationally recognised qualification at NVQ Level 3 or an equivalent qualification.
  1. GCSE English and Maths (C and above or equivalent)
  1. A willingness to undertake paid training in normal contractual hours to develop job-related skills.