Teaching Assistant in Devizes

Downland School is a co‑educational maintained community special school for pupils aged between 10 and 16 who have an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP). Our pupils have varying aptitudes and abilities; we are extremely proud of all their achievements and progress. Our pupils have a range of Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) including: Autism (ASC); attachment disorders and Social, Emotional Mental Health (SEMH) difficulties. We seek to ensure that, by the time they leave us, our pupils emerge as self‑confident individuals able to manage their own learning; equipped with the skills and competencies to successfully take the next steps in their lives. We are a friendly, happy and caring school, providing a positive, inclusive and enriching educational experience for our young people. We view each of our pupils as unique and shape our provision to meet their individual needs and accelerate their progress in a variety of areas e.g. personal, social, academic and well‑being. Our commitment to supporting the “whole” child and their development is underpinned by our strong pastoral systems and our committed and trained staff. At Downland we promote inclusion and equality and celebrate diversity. Our mission statement is “Aspire, Achieve and Thrive”.

Responsibilities

• Supporting pupils’ learning, either in groups or through 1:1 work, with tasks adapted to each pupil’s SEND profile.
• Supporting the development of skills in literacy, numeracy, communication and social and behavioural needs.
• Adapting & personalising work for individual pupils to suit their ability.
• Using knowledge of pupils’ learning support needs to suggest appropriate adjustments to lesson plans.
• Clarifying and explaining instructions.
• Ensuring pupils are able to use equipment and materials provided.
• Motivating and supporting pupils.
• Helping pupils to concentrate on and finish work set.
• Meeting physical needs as required while promoting independence.
• Liaising with the class teacher and SEND team about Behaviour Support Plans and EHCP outcomes.
• Developing appropriate resources to support pupils’ engagement and learning.
• Listening to pupils’ problems and taking appropriate action or seeking advice to resolve the issue.
• Supporting pupils’ self‑esteem, inclusion and behavioural development.
• Encouraging acceptance and inclusion of the pupil with special needs.
• Developing methods of promoting/reinforcing the pupil’s self‑esteem and independence.
• Providing individual or small group supervision in and out of the classroom for pupils with behavioural problems.
• Establishing a supportive relationship with pupils.
• Reinforcing the school ethos, e.g. expectations of behaviour within class and elsewhere on the school site, and applying “The Downland Way.”
• Supervising pupils on school activities and school trips.
• Providing physical/personal care to pupils, supervising pupils with medical needs such as diabetes or epilepsy.
• Supporting the teacher(s), using knowledge and experience of the pupils concerned to contribute, with the class teacher and other professionals, to the development and evaluation of a suitable programme of support for children who need learning support.
• Contributing to the development of Behaviour Support Plans and reviews of pupil progress and engagement.
• In conjunction with the class teacher and other professionals, developing systems of recording pupil progress and contributing to their maintenance across a range of systems.
• Providing regular feedback about pupils to the teacher(s).
• Encouraging the social and emotional development of pupils by intervening in situations which call for adult supervision.
• Supporting the curriculum and the delivery of the literacy and mathematics strategy along with other aspects of both the National Curriculum and the enhanced curriculum offered by the school.
• Improving the classroom and school environment, e.g. creating displays that celebrate pupils’ achievement.
• Fostering and developing links between a pupil’s home (parent/carer) and the school where appropriate.
• Assisting with the set‑up, storage, retrieval and general maintenance of classroom equipment and teaching aids, including computers, computer software, resources and play equipment.
• Helping to ensure the hygiene of the teaching environment in cases of sickness or soiling, with training.
• Ensuring that all equipment for outings (e.g. drinks, food, weather protection, first aid) accompanies the pupils.
• Supporting at taxi arrival and drop‑off as directed.
• Actively demonstrating the school’s core values and promoting “The Downland Way.”

Benefits

• A forward‑thinking and inclusive school environment.
• A friendly and supportive community.
• An inclusive and caring ethos.
• Good professional development and learning opportunities.
• A well‑equipped and safe working environment.

Legal and EEO

Downland School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. Applicants must disclose all spent and unspent convictions, cautions, reprimands and warnings that are not “protected” under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974, except as set out in the 1975 (as amended in 2013 & 2020) Exclusions Order. An enhanced DBS check will be required for the successful applicant.