EYFS Teaching Assistant

The EYFS Teaching Assistant plays a vital role in supporting the social, emotional, academic and physical development of pupils at Saracens Bell Lane. The post holder will contribute to a safe, inclusive, trauma-informed and nurturing learning environment where all pupils are supported to make expected or better progress. The role is grounded in the understanding that all behaviour is communication, and that strong, trusting relationships and restorative approaches are central to effective learning and wellbeing.

PURPOSE

• To provide support to teachers in the learning and personal development of pupils including those with complex needs and/or disabilities.
• To assist the learning and personal development of pupils to enable them to make best use of the educational opportunities available to them.
• To work under the guidance and overall supervision of teachers and inclusion manager to enable access to learning for specific pupils and to assist the whole staff team in the support of pupils across the EYFS provision.
• To provide support for a broad, balanced, stimulating and adapted curriculum that meets individual children’s needs.
• To provide a high quality education, nurture and care for specific pupils in the school, in partnership with their parents and carers.
• To support the effective delivery of key interventions.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

SUPPORT FOR PUPILS

• Deliver engaging, age-appropriate activities that foster communication, early literacy, numeracy, and physical development.
• Support the planning, preparation and enhancement of continuous provision both indoors and outdoors.
• Support children’s learning through play-based and adult-led activities in line with the EYFS framework.
• Supervise and encourage free-flow play and structured outdoor learning.
• Assess needs of children including emotional, developmental and social, to ensure that children have access to appropriate activities to support their physical, emotional, social and intellectual development.
• Develop the character and resilience of pupils so that they develop study skills to learn more effectively and with increasing independence.
• Encourage independence, good manners, and positive social interactions.
• Establish productive working relationships with pupils, acting as a role model and setting high expectations.
• Follow risk assessments and contribute to maintaining a safe learning environment indoors and outdoors.
• Use positive behaviour management strategies that support children’s emotional regulation and wellbeing.
• Promote the inclusion and acceptance of all pupils within the classroom.
• Support children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) or English as an Additional Language (EAL) by following Individual Support Plans (ISPs).
• Support the development of children's communication and language through high-quality interactions, modelling language and extending vocabulary.
• Attend to personal, social, and emotional needs, including managing daily routines like snack times and, where necessary, intimate care.

SUPPORT FOR TEACHERS

• Assist the teacher in preparing lesson plans, setting up learning environments, and organising resources.
• Support wrap-around provision where required.
• Contribute to maintaining a stimulating, safe and well-organised learning environment (indoors and outdoors).
• Create and maintain a purposeful, orderly and supportive environment, in accordance with the lesson plans and assist with the display of pupils’ work.
• Observe pupils’ responses to learning and contribute to Early Years Developmental Journals/profiles.
• Observe, assess and record children’s learning using the school’s assessment systems to inform next steps.
• Take on primary responsibility for observing, tracking, and reporting on a designated group of key children.
• Support phonics, early reading, writing, number and language development.
• Use strategies that support inclusive practice and meet individual learning needs.
• Promote positive values, attitudes and good pupil behaviour, dealing promptly with conflict and incidents in line with established policy and encourage pupils to take responsibility for their own behaviour.
• Assist with the development and implementation of Individual Support Plans/Behaviour Plans and Personal Care programmes.
• Prepare and supervise snack times.
• Supervise children during lunchtimes.
• Provide general clerical/admin support e.g. photocopying, making resources for agreed activities etc.

ABOUT OUR SCHOOL

Saracens Bell Lane joined the Saracens Multi-Academy Trust (SMAT) on 1st August 2024. The Trust has a clear vision of enriching lives through education by developing lifelong learners who will thrive in life beyond school. To us, this is a shared passion of members, trustees, governors and staff. Saracens schools are different. We take a modern and pioneering approach to individual character development through every aspect of school life. To do this well, we are looking for someone who will recognise and enhance the individual abilities of each child. Our Teachers and Support Staff will place an equal emphasis on learning with coaching confidence, self-esteem and teamwork so that pupils in the school can achieve the outcomes they aspire to.

To realise our vision, we embrace and live our core Saracens Values of Discipline, Honesty, Hard Work and Humility by:

• Ensuring our schools are orderly, safe, and joyful places where our pupils are governed and guided in their behaviour by fair and sensible principles.
• Empowering our staff to embrace the latest thinking and use teaching styles that reflect the culture of success and commitment to character development, with achievement celebrated as warmly as attainment.
• Retaining a focus on supporting those communities most in need, striving for equality of opportunity for all.
• Build community hubs around our schools, through mutually beneficial partnerships with local businesses, organisations, and individuals.
• Insisting on an honest appraisal of the efforts and attitude of staff in their work and pupils in all areas of their education and school life.
• Creating an environment where all members of the school community work incredibly hard to fulfil the potential of each individual and strive for continuous improvement in everything that we do.
• Placing equal emphasis on character education and enrichment as academic attainment, so that pupils are prepared for life beyond school.
• Creating a quality of life for all staff and pupils that is both enjoyable and impactful, to make memories they take pride in and cherish for the rest of their lives.
• Utilising the networks of the broader Saracens family to strengthen our school communities.
• Achieving our outcomes sustainably, through strong financial governance and protecting and nurturing our surrounding environment.

Saracens Multi-Academy Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. The successful candidate will be required to complete an Enhanced DBS check. Saracens Multi-Academy Trust is a disability confident employer. If you have any questions or would like a general conversation about the role, please email e.palmer@saracensbl.org.