Teaching Assistant

About Us

Harris Academy South Norwood is a mixed comprehensive school situated in the heart of South Norwood, SE25, just a few minutes walk from Norwood Junction.

We serve an incredibly diverse school community with numerous languages, cultures and backgrounds represented within the school.

Our staff are equally multicultural, with colleagues hailing from all over the UK and the world.

Our vision for teaching is whole school consistency, departmental autonomy.

We believe that teachers teach best when supported by clear, consistent systems within which they can delve into the uniqueness of their subject disciplines.

In practice, this means that we have strong whole‑school behaviour systems, shared strategies well recognised by students such as checking for understanding and teaching new vocabulary, but also expect and allow subjects to employ the pedagogical strategies, formats and routines that are right for them.

At HASN, we prioritise teacher development and commit significant time and resources towards teacher and staff development.

We support colleagues to undertake professional qualifications and further study outside of the school, and encourage colleagues to plan and pursue their professional goals with our support.

Working within the Harris Federation, we are able to draw on a wealth of expertise and experience across all areas of school life and leadership, meaning that staff can draw on a wide professional network.

In turn, this supports a healthy approach to workload in which leaders hold the firm belief that collaboration is our strength and that seeking support is often the best thing professionals can do for the children they work with.

Summary

Harris Academy South Norwood is looking for a Teaching Assistant to support individuals and groups of students at the academy, including those with SEND.

This will involve supporting learning in the classroom and attending to students’ personal needs where required, including social, health, physical, hygiene, first aid and welfare matters.

The actual salary for this role will be £26,809 (37.5 hours per week, 38 weeks per week).

• Main Areas of Responsibility
• Supervising and supporting identified students in 1:1, group or whole class situations, ensuring their safety and access to learning in a purposeful and supportive learning environment.
• Assisting in developing resources, schemes of work and teaching strategies, working with the teacher to ensure the provision supports learning needs.
• Assisting in evaluating identified students’ progress and providing feedback on their achievements, progress and needs.
• Leading small group sessions and interventions as appropriate.
• Attending to students’ personal needs where required.
• Supporting with behaviour management.
• Undertaking learning activities/teaching programmes, adjusting activities to ensure achievement of learning goals.
• Assisting with the supervision of students out of lesson times, including playtimes, and undertaking lunchtime duty.
• Supporting students with their learning and development in respect of local and national learning strategies.
• Preparing the classroom for lessons, clearing afterwards and assisting with the display of students’ work.
• Preparing and maintaining resources and assisting students in their use.
• Undertaking record keeping as requested.
• Establishing and maintaining positive relationships with parents/carers, gathering and reporting information as directed.
• Providing administrative support as required.
• Accompanying teaching staff and students on visits, trips and off‑site activities as required.

Qualifications & Experience

• Qualifications to degree level or equivalent.
• Basic knowledge of SEND and learning barriers.
• Some knowledge of strategies in working with young people with challenging behaviours.
• Knowledge of some of the social issues facing students from disadvantaged backgrounds.
• Awareness of health and safety issues in the workplace.
• Experience of working directly with young people in an education or training environment, supporting the learning of students.
• Experience of establishing and maintaining positive working relationships with a range of stakeholders, at all levels.
• Experience of managing and being responsible for own workload.
• Good literacy and numeracy skills.
• Good interpersonal and communication skills, with an excellent standard of written and spoken English.
• Good administrative and organisational skills.
• Ability to interest, encourage, motivate and engage children.
• Ability to work effectively with team members across a wide range of levels and responsibilities.
• Good ICT skills, including a working knowledge of Microsoft packages and the ability to update records and databases.
• Ability to work using own initiative, exercising good judgement where unsupervised.
• Flexibility of approach to work.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality, exercising tact and diplomacy.
• Professional Development & Benefits

Our people are at the heart of our success.

We have developed a strong culture of collaboration and best practice, with professional development and career planning at its centre.

We invest in our staff with support, coaching, mentoring, and a wide range of top‑quality training programmes delivered at every level.

In addition to the opportunities for career development and progression, we also offer a competitive rewards and benefits package which includes our Harris Allowance for teachers on MPS/UPS, a Performance and Loyalty Bonus, Pension Scheme with generous employer contributions, a Wellbeing Cash Plan and many other benefits.

Safeguarding Notice

The Harris Federation and all our academies are committed to ensuring the highest levels of safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people, and we expect all our staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

All offers of employment are subject to an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check, references, an online search, and where applicable, a prohibition from teaching check will be completed.

Equal Opportunities

The Harris Federation is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applications from all suitably qualified candidates.

We value the diversity of our staff and students, and everyone at the Harris Federation is equally valued and respected.

We aim to be an inclusive employer that reflects the communities we serve.

We are committed to providing a fair, equitable and mutually supportive learning and working environment.

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