SEND Teaching assistant (Specialist Autism Provision)

Ark Brunel Primary Academy are looking for a Teaching Assistant to work in our Autism Resource Base, who is passionate about supporting children all across the Autism spectrum. Located within Ark Brunel Primary Academy, ‘The Viaduct’ is a provision that seeks to grow pupils into confident communicators, inquisitive learners, active citizens and fulfilled individuals in preparation for the next stage of their education. We provide our learners with high staffing ratios and small class sizes within our provision but also work closely with the mainstream body of the school to promote maximum levels of inclusion. Our dedicated staff team put this vision into practice by using autism-specific communication and learning strategies and adapting the curriculum to meet individual pupil needs. We believe that every one of our learners is a highly valued individual, and is capable of achieving excellence, whatever that looks like for them.

Key roles and responsibilities

• Support the Head of Provision and class teacher to enable ‘The Viaduct’ to become a beacon of best practice and excellence in education.
• Support class teachers to provide outstanding teaching, learning and assessment of all pupils in the class, using autism-specific strategies and delivering an adapted curriculum.
• Work well within a class team.
• Stimulate curiosity, interest and enjoyment for education.
• Promote the vision and values of the provision within the school, treating our vulnerable pupils with the highest level of respect and care.
• Communicate effectively with parents/carers.
• Work effectively with external professionals and therapists to implement their strategies within classroom learning.
• Plan and cover teacher PPA within the provision with the support of class teachers.

Our ideal candidate will

• Be committed to developing their practice in order to become an outstanding specialist practitioner.
• Exhibit a passion for supporting learners with SEND and Autism.
• Be comfortable and competent in supporting children that present with challenging behaviours and complex needs.
• Demonstrate a nurturing approach to learners, while also providing them with high levels of challenge in order that they reach their potential.
• Be able to work well within a team.
• Be able to take direction and feedback from line managers.
• Have a commitment to Ark’s ethos of high expectations and delivery.
• Have the ability to work in a way that promotes the safety and wellbeing of students and pupils.
• Have a good attendance record.

Person Specification

Qualification Criteria:

• Good working knowledge of the national curriculum.
• Good numeracy and literacy skills.
• Good administrative, organisational and computer skills.
• Competent with computers and other technology.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with children and adults.
• Able to deal with minor incidents, first aid, and pupil’s personal health and hygiene including personal care needs.

Experience:

• Experience of the role of a TA including classroom organisation and management, supporting the planning and delivery of the curriculum, implementing behaviour and learning strategies.
• Experience establishing successful learning relationships with students treating them consistently with respect and consideration.
• Experience of working with children with SEND and Autism, ideally within a specialist environment.
• Experience of working within a team.

Personal Characteristics:

• Reliable and punctual.
• Polite, friendly and professional at all times.
• A helpful and positive nature and a calm and caring disposition.
• Ability to keep calm in an intense working environment.
• Resilient in the face of challenging behaviour.
• Understanding of the importance of confidentiality and discretion.
• Genuine passion for educational opportunities for children with Autism, optimistic view of students and a belief in the potential of every pupil.

Benefits

• You will be supported by unrivalled training and CPD to develop yourself as an outstanding teacher and leader.
• We offer twice the standard number of professional training days, attractive remuneration, above the national pay scales.
• Range of benefits including reduced gym membership and retail discounts.
• Access to Employee Assistance Programme – providing free, confidential counselling, legal advice and a range of different support.