Specialist VI Teaching Assistant

Moor Hall Primary School is looking for a Specialist Teaching Assistant to support one of our pupils with a visual impairment. The role involves working in collaboration with senior leaders and teaching staff to support the delivery of a broad and varied curriculum and develop “The Moor Hall Child” alongside individualised support.

Vision and Values

Our vision is to develop the Moor Hall Child – a confident, healthy, and responsible child who achieves their very best. Moor Hall School is an Ofsted rated Outstanding school. The vision focuses on healthy, confident children, creativity, innovation, transferable knowledge, respect for diversity and striving to make a better, more peaceful world.

Essential Requirements

• Experience of working with a young person with visual impairment.
• Experience of working with tactile resources.
• Experience of tailoring learning activities to ensure they are accessible.
• Ability to anticipate and mitigate risk for the young person when they are moving around independently.
• Ability to work with specialist professionals.
• Ability to work as part of a team and provide feedback to the class teacher.
• Willingness to develop skills in Braille.
• Ability or willingness to learn to use specialist equipment (e.g., visualiser) to support pupil.
• Clear insights as to when to step in to support and when to allow pupil to be independent.

Desirable

• Knowledge of the KS1 curriculum.

Key Responsibilities

Support for Pupils (individually or in groups)

• Support the activities of individuals or groups.
• Establish and maintain relationships with individual pupils and groups.
• Contribute to individual Education Plans as appropriate.
• Support pupils during learning activities.
• Promote pupils’ social and emotional development.
• Contribute to the health and well-being of pupils.
• Provide support for bilingual/multilingual pupils (where appropriate).
• Support children with specific needs (sensory, physical, cognitive or learning difficulties, behavioural, emotional and social development needs, communication difficulties).
• Support pupils with literacy and numeracy skills.
• Support pupils to access the curriculum.
• Deal with the personal care needs of children where appropriate in line with local authority guidance.

Support for the Teacher(s)

• Observe and report on pupil performance.
• Contribute to the planning and evaluation of learning activities.
• Assist in preparing and maintaining the learning environment.
• Contribute to the management of pupils’ behaviour.
• Contribute to maintaining pupils’ records.
• Support the maintenance of pupils’ safety and security.
• Supervise the whole class for short periods in emergencies.
• Undertake routine marking in line with school policy.
• Provide general administrative support (administer coursework, produce worksheets, etc.).
• Undertake joint home visits where appropriate and in line with LEA policy.
• Provide direct specialist support one-to-one, encouraging independence and social interaction.

Specialist TA Support for VI Pupils

• Contribute to planning, recording and implementation of individualised programmes of work.
• Work with teachers in lesson planning, evaluating and modifying lesson plans as appropriate.
• Monitor and evaluate pupils’ responses to learning activities through observation and planned recording of achievement.
• Provide objective and accurate feedback.
• Contribute information for progress reports, annual review reports, and Educational Health Care Plans.
• Be involved in Special Educational Needs review and progress meetings.
• Prepare support materials and assist with classroom activities.
• Adapt teaching materials and resources to be enlarged or use other strategies.
• Support the use of ICT in learning activities and develop pupils’ competence and independence in its use.
• Facilitate social skills and emotional development.
• Support pupils during off-site educational visits.
• Participate in performance management programmes to develop competencies to effectively support pupils with visual impairment.

Support for the School

• Support the development and effectiveness of teamwork within the school environment.
• Develop and maintain working relationships with other professionals.
• Liaise with parents where appropriate.
• Review and develop own professional practice.
• Work across the curriculum and all Key Stages in accordance with the job.

Support for the Curriculum

• Support the use of information and communication technology in the classroom.

General

• Promote and safeguard the welfare of children and young people.
• Ensure tasks are carried out with due regard to Health and Safety.
• Participate in professional development and performance management.
• Adhere to the ethos and vision of the school.
• Set an example of personal integrity and professionalism.
• Attend staff meetings and parents evenings.
• Perform any other duties as commensurate within the grade to ensure the smooth running of the school.

Qualifications and Legal Requirements

• All applicants must be qualified to NVQ Level 3 for Teaching Assistants or equivalent and be able to evidence this.
• This post is covered by Part 7 of the Immigration Act (2016) and therefore the ability to speak fluent and spoken English is an essential requirement for this role.
• This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and the amendments to the Exceptions Order 1975, 2013 and 2020.

Benefits

We can offer a fresh, new challenge, wonderful children and a supportive staff team. Moor Hall School is a Living Wage employer. We welcome enquiries from everyone and value diversity in our workforce.