SEND Teaching Support Assistant in Stoke-on-Trent

The Principal and Governors at St Peter’s Catholic Academy are looking to appoint a passionate and motivated Teaching Support Assistant to work with teachers as part of a professional team to support teaching and learning for pupils with SEND. The SEND support assistant will provide specialist assistance to pupils who need particular help to overcome barriers to learning, such as those with moderate, severe, profound and multiple learning difficulties and/or behavioural, social, communication, sensory or physical disabilities.

The successful candidate will:

• Have a ‘can do’ attitude, with a passionate dedication to improving the lives of our children through education.
• Be committed to promoting and further enhancing the Catholic ethos of our school.
• Have experience working with children with SEND, showing a caring and nurturing approach.
• The ability to work effectively under the guidance of the teacher.
• Be able to work effectively with colleagues and have good interpersonal skills.
• Have desire and commitment to build upon the school’s outstanding strengths.

Key Duties / Responsibilities:

• Provide learning activities for individuals and groups of pupils under the professional direction and supervision of a qualified teacher and adapting learning programmes to suit the needs of allocated pupils with SEND.
• Plan and evaluate specialist learning activities with the teacher, writing reports and records as required.
• Work with pupils on therapy or care programmes, designed and supervised by a therapist/care professional.
• Monitor, assess, record and report on development, progress and attainment, as agreed with the teacher, drawing any problems which cannot be resolved to the attention of the teacher.
• Select and adapt appropriate resources/methods to facilitate agreed learning activities.
• Be involved in planning, organising and implementing individual development plans for pupils (such as Individual educational plans), including attendance at, and contribution to, reviews.
• Attend to pupils’ personal needs including toileting, hygiene, dressing and eating, as well as help with social, welfare and health matters.
• Be part of the induction of pupils into specialist units, mainstream classes or schools for pupils with special educational needs.
• Monitor pupils’ conduct and behaviour throughout the learning process and intervene to resolve complex, difficult or very challenging issues.
• Supervise individuals and groups of pupils throughout the day, including supervision in the classroom, playground and dining areas.
• Work with pupils not working to normal timetable.
• Establish and maintain relationships with families/carers and other adults, e.g. speech therapists.
• Advise and assist pupils in the proper use and deployment of complex personal and learning aides and equipment.
• Escort and supervise pupils on educational and out of school activities and reporting issues to the teacher as appropriate.
• Be responsible for the preparation, maintenance and control of stocks of materials and resources.
• Administer medication in accordance with an agreed plan under direction of healthcare practitioner and following appropriate training.
• Any other duties appropriate to the post.

Why St. Peter’s Catholic Academy?

Our school motto is ‘Together, One Family, One Community in Christ’ - this ethos is lived and breathed by at St Peter’s who work together to create a friendly, welcoming atmosphere in which our children can thrive and grow. In our recent Ofsted inspection, the school was graded as ‘outstanding’ in all areas and pupil behaviour was described as ‘exemplary’ and pupils ‘learn the importance of respect very quickly’. Our staff are passionate about doing all we can to better the lives of the children in our care, as well as investing in developing our staff so that all at St. Peter’s are happy and flourish.

An exceptional culture of safeguarding and nurture: St. Peter’s Catholic Academy is committed to the safeguarding and welfare of our children and young people and we would expect anyone joining our team to share this commitment. All staff work closely together to provide a supporting and nurturing environment where every child matters.

What can we offer?

• A welcoming and friendly school with motivated, well behaved and happy children.
• Dedicated and committed team members.
• A supportive governing body.
• A strong commitment to your professional development.
• A positive environment in which to develop your own ideas and initiatives.

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Amendment Order 1986 and, as such, it will be necessary for a Submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service to check for any previous criminal convictions.

To comply with Asylum and Immigration legislation you will be required (if appointed) to provide one or more documents from the Immigration Act 2006 - List A and B. You must provide proof of current and valid permission to be in the United Kingdom and valid permission to do the type of work offered.