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- Tasks: Support pupils' learning and engagement in a nurturing classroom environment.
- Company: Join Illuminate Minds Trust, a forward-thinking and inclusive educational organisation.
- Benefits: Gain valuable experience, professional development, and work in a supportive team.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives while developing your skills.
- Qualifications: GCSEs in English and Maths, plus experience with children preferred.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for growth in a collaborative school culture.
The predicted salary is between 20000 - 30000 ÂŁ per year.
We are looking to appoint a class-based Teaching Assistant for 33 hours per week, 39 weeks per year to work with our pupils and provide support with learning and engagement. Monday 8.45am - 5.15pm, Tuesday - Friday 8.45am - 3.30pm.
This is a role where truly getting to know each pupil and being able to build positive relationships with clear boundaries combined with care and compassion are vital elements of the role. Our expectations for all our pupils are high and we promote a fully inclusive culture where barriers to learning are addressed through targeted interventions and everyone in the school promotes quality first teaching, outstanding learning and confidence in the understanding and management of behaviour. If you are ambitious for all children and keen to develop your skills and expertise, this role could be for you!
Fairford Academy Barnehurst is a three-form entry primary school within Illuminate Minds Trust, a small thriving academy of two trust schools. The school is located on the borders of Barnehurst and Erith with excellent transport links. Pelham Primary School is a two-form entry primary school within Illuminate Minds Trust, a small thriving academy of two trust schools. The school is located in the centre of Bexleyheath with excellent transport links. Partnership working between the schools is essential!
About Our Trust: Illuminate Minds Trust is a small but aspirational trust with ambitions to grow and work collaboratively with primary mainstream and SEND schools in order to creatively meet the needs of all pupils in our communities. We are highly inclusive and forward-thinking, believing that every child deserves the best education with the mission statement of “Excellence Every Day” as the golden thread woven through our schools.
Illuminate Minds is proud of our schools’ inclusive principles, creative solutions to SEND, our culture of embedded safeguarding and the focus we put on quality CPD, evidence-based research and our coaching culture. We encourage all of our staff to engage in professional development and peer support with the aim of everyone working together to strengthen our offer and achieve their best. We recognise that for our pupils to succeed and make outstanding progress, they need staff working with them who are committed to the continual drive for improvement and keen to upskill themselves.
If you believe that every child has the potential to achieve and experience success, truly enjoy working with children and understand the value of education as a means of opening doors and widening horizons, then Illuminate Minds may be the right organisation for you!
Our core purpose is “Excellence Every Day” through:
- Working with children, young people and their families to promote engagement in learning and a work ethic which will help them secure a positive future.
- Delivering a curriculum in every school which meets the needs of the cohort and supports the development of rounded individuals with the knowledge and skills to make informed decisions and have agency over their futures.
- Offering experiences which are rich and diverse and widen the perspectives of all of our pupils beyond their lived experiences, reducing gaps and disadvantage.
- Encouraging participation and ownership of the school communities by all members of our staff to enable Trust development through contribution and collaboration.
- Creating a coaching culture to develop a workforce which is flexible to meet the need of every child or young person within our academies and “future proofs” us as a Trust in an ever-changing landscape.
- Developing systems and processes which safeguard our communities and reduce workload through sharing of resources and practices and avoidance of duplication.
- Ensuring the learning environment is fit for purpose, safe and stimulating to support the development of confident, happy pupils who want to attend school and are kept safe.
Qualifications & Experience:
Essential- GCSEs (or equivalent) in English and Mathematics at Grade C/4 or above
- Experience working with children in a primary school or educational setting
- A good understanding of safeguarding and child protection
- The ability to build positive relationships with pupils while maintaining clear boundaries
- Commitment to inclusion, equality, and high expectations for all learners
- Level 2 or Level 3 Teaching Assistant qualification, or equivalent
- A relevant degree or foundation degree (e.g. Education, Childhood Studies, Psychology, or related field)
- Experience supporting pupils with SEND, SEMH, or additional needs
- Experience delivering or supporting targeted interventions
- A willingness to engage in ongoing professional development and training
Recruitment Information: You can apply for this vacancy using the apply button above. References will be requested for shortlisted candidates prior to interview. Only those shortlisted for interview will be contacted.
Illuminate Minds Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. We ensure that we have a range of policies and procedures in place which promote safeguarding and safer working practice across the school.
Illuminate Minds Trust is committed to equality and diversity in employment practice and service delivery and expects employees to comply with our values of promoting equality and diversity, treating colleagues and service users with dignity and respect at all times. This commitment must be evidenced in practice. Any behaviour that falls below these standards is unacceptable to the School and potentially constitutes misconduct.
This post is considered to be a customer-facing position; as such it falls within scope of the Code of Practice on English language requirement for public sector workers. The school therefore has a statutory duty under Part 7 of the Immigration Act 2016 to ensure that post holders have a command of spoken English sufficient for the effective performance of the job requirements. The appropriate standards are set out in the person specification. These will be applied during the recruitment/selection and probationary stages.
A copy of the job description, our child protection & safeguarding policy and recruitment pack are attached for your information. Link to our website: illuminateminds.org
We reserve the right to close this advertisement early if we receive a high volume of suitable applications.
Teaching Assistant employer: Fairford Academy Barnehurst
Contact Detail:
Fairford Academy Barnehurst Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Teaching Assistant
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the school culture! Before your interview, check out Illuminate Minds Trust's website and social media. Understanding their values and mission will help you connect with them during your chat.
✨Tip Number 2
Practice makes perfect! Role-play common interview questions with a friend or family member. This will help you articulate your passion for working with children and your commitment to inclusion and high expectations.
✨Tip Number 3
Show off your skills! Bring examples of how you've supported children in the past, especially those with additional needs. Real-life stories can make a big impact and show you're the right fit for the role.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to follow up! After your interview, send a quick thank-you email expressing your appreciation for the opportunity. It shows your enthusiasm and keeps you on their radar!
We think you need these skills to ace Teaching Assistant
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Education: When writing your application, let your enthusiasm for working with children shine through! Share specific examples of how you've engaged with pupils in the past and why you believe education is key to opening doors for them.
Highlight Your Experience: Make sure to detail any relevant experience you have in educational settings. Whether it's working with SEND pupils or supporting targeted interventions, we want to see how your background aligns with our mission of 'Excellence Every Day'.
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application straightforward and to the point. Use clear language and structure your thoughts logically. This will help us easily understand your qualifications and how you can contribute to our inclusive culture.
Apply Through Our Website: Don't forget to submit your application through our website! It's the best way to ensure it reaches us directly. Plus, you'll find all the info you need about the role and our trust there.
How to prepare for a job interview at Fairford Academy Barnehurst
✨Know Your Pupils
Before the interview, take some time to think about how you would build positive relationships with pupils. Reflect on your past experiences working with children and be ready to share specific examples of how you've engaged with them and supported their learning.
✨Understand Inclusion and Safeguarding
Make sure you’re familiar with the principles of inclusion and safeguarding. Be prepared to discuss how you would address barriers to learning and promote a safe environment for all pupils. This shows that you align with the school's values and mission.
✨Show Your Commitment to Professional Development
Illuminate Minds Trust values ongoing professional development. Think about any training or courses you’ve completed and how they’ve helped you grow as an educator. Be ready to express your eagerness to continue learning and improving your skills.
✨Prepare Questions
Interviews are a two-way street! Prepare thoughtful questions about the school’s approach to teaching and learning, especially regarding SEND and SEMH support. This not only shows your interest but also helps you determine if the school is the right fit for you.
