Teaching Assistant

Purpose of Job
To work under the guidance of teaching staff to undertake support programmes, to enable access to learning for young children and to assist the teacher in the management of children and the classroom. Work may be carried out in the classroom or outside the main teaching area.

Responsibilities

• Supervise and provide support for children, ensuring their safety and access to learning activities.
• Assist with the development and implementation of Individual Education/Behaviour Plans and Personal Care programmes.
• Establish positive relationships with children and interact with them according to their individual needs.
• Promote the inclusion and acceptance of all children.
• Encourage children to interact with others and engage in activities led by the teacher.
• Set challenging and demanding expectations and promote self-esteem and independence.
• Provide feedback to children in relation to progress and achievement under the guidance of the teacher.
• Create and maintain a purposeful, orderly and supportive environment and support teaching in accordance with lesson plans.
• Use strategies, in liaison with the teacher, to support children to achieve learning goals.
• Assist with the planning and setting up of learning activities and the learning environment for both the indoor and outdoor areas.
• Monitor children’s responses to learning activities and accurately record achievement/progress as directed.
• Provide detailed and regular feedback to teachers on children’s achievement, progress, problems etc.
• Promote good pupil behaviour, dealing promptly with conflict and incidents in line with established policy and encourage children to take responsibility for their own behaviour.
• Establish constructive relationships with parents/carers.
• Provide admin support, e.g., photocopying and filing.
• Undertake structured and agreed learning activities/teaching programmes, adjusting activities according to child responses.
• Undertake programmes linked to local and national learning strategies, e.g., Welcom, Early phonics support, recording achievement and progress and feeding back to the teacher.
• Support the use of computing in learning activities and develop children’s competence and independence in its use.
• Prepare, maintain and use equipment/resources required to meet the lesson plans/relevant learning activity and assist children in their use.
• Work across year groups/school and support children with SEND when needed.
• Be aware of and comply with policies and procedures relating to child protection, health, safety and security, confidentiality and data protection, reporting all concerns to an appropriate person.
• Be aware of and support difference and ensure all children have equal access to opportunities to learn and develop.
• Contribute to the overall ethos/work/aims of the school.
• Appreciate and support the roles of other professionals.
• Attend and participate in relevant meetings as required.
• Participate in training and other learning activities and performance development as required.
• Assist with the supervision of children out of lesson times, e.g., Playground duty and Lunchtime supervision, engaging children in play and setting up activities in the playground.
• Accompany teaching staff and children on visits, trips and out of school activities as required and take responsibility for a group under the supervision of the teacher.
• To carry out other such duties as may be required by the Headteacher e.g., support school fundraising events.

Please note, this is illustrative of the general nature and level of responsibility of the role. It is not a comprehensive list of all tasks that the Teaching Assistant will carry out. The postholder may be required to do other duties appropriate to the level of the role, as directed by the headteacher or line manager.

Person specification

The person specification shows the abilities and skills you will need to carry out the duties in the job description. Short listing is carried out on the basis of how well you meet the requirements of the person specification. You should mention any experience you have had which shows how you could meet these requirements when you fill in your application form. If you are selected for interview, you may be asked also to undertake practical tests to cover the skills and abilities shown below:

Experience

• Experience working with children in KS1.
• Knowledge of the EYFS Curriculum.

Qualifications/Training

• Good skills in both oral and written communication.
• NVQ3 for Teaching Assistants or equivalent qualification or experience.
• Training in relevant learning strategies e.g., phonics.

Knowledge/Skills

• Ability to communicate the excitement of learning and inspire children to engage in learning situations.
• Ability to use IT effectively to support learning.
• An understanding of relevant policies/codes of practice and awareness of relevant legislation.
• A general understanding of national/foundation stage curriculum and other relevant learning programs/strategies.
• An understanding of assessment processes and how they contribute to the education of the child.
• A basic understanding of principles of child development and learning processes.
• Ability to self-evaluate learning needs and actively seek learning opportunities.
• Ability to relate well to children and adults.
• Ability to work constructively as part of a team, understanding classroom roles and lunchtime provision and responsibilities and your own position within these.
• Ability to comply with policies and procedures relating to child protection, health, safety and security, confidentiality, data protection and equal opportunities.
• A positive attitude to meeting the challenges of work in education.