Teaching Assistant (KS2)

Managed by:    The Head of Juniors
Reporting to:     The Head of Juniors

Ditcham Park School

We are a co-educational independent day school for children aged 4 to 16. Situated near Petersfield in the South Downs National Park on a stunning site with spectacular views of the rolling Hampshire hills and south across the Solent to the Isle of Wight we provide a wonderful environment for a child to flourish.

We believe a child learns best and develop self-esteem when they are encouraged in a caring and supportive environment. Our school’s relatively small size creates a genuinely friendly, nurturing environment where ‘every child is known and valued’.

Key purpose of role

To assist the Class Teacher in all aspects of schoolwork as shown below, ensuring that statutory requirements are met. To enable all children to make best use of the educational opportunities available to them and to provide a high standard of care as required and in accordance with the child’s individual needs.

Role Specific Duties and Responsibilities:

Classroom duties

Fostering the participation of pupils in the social and academic practices of the school. This may entail:

• Supervising and assisting small groups of pupils in activities set by the teacher [which could include activities off-site].
• Developing pupils’ social skills.
• Implementing behaviour management policies.
• Spotting early signs related to child protection, bullying and/or disruptive behaviour.
• Helping the inclusion of children.
• Keeping children on task.
• Accompanying children to PE and music, in compliance with statutory regulations.

Enabling pupils to become more independent learners. This may entail:

• Assisting pupils in educational tasks.
• Freeing the teacher to work with groups by working with a larger number of pupils against plans produced by the teacher.
• Working with the classroom teacher, to implement the guidance from outside agencies e.g. speech therapists, educational psychologists and, under guidance from the teacher, liaising with parents.

Helping to raise standards of achievement for all pupils. This may entail:

• Working at whole class level with the teacher by engaging with the teacher over the aims, content, strategies and intended outcomes of a lesson.
• Supporting and working with the teacher in testing and assessment activities.
• Helping to develop and implement lesson plans and teaching materials.
• Enabling the teacher to undertake a more advanced range of learning activities.
• Providing support for the delivery of the curriculum e.g. literacy and numeracy strategies by taking responsibility for teaching groups under the direction and guidance of the teacher, on reading, writing and mathematical techniques.
• Providing feedback to teachers e.g. on pupil performance, learning obstacles, effectiveness of classroom processes and organisation.
• Preparing classroom materials e.g. preparing worksheets, books, displays and setting up equipment
• Monitoring and recording the progress of pupils, including, in conjunction with the teacher, undertaking baseline assessments

In addition, the Teaching Assistant shall perform such other tasks as are reasonably requested of them by the Class Teacher, the Head of KS1, and/or Head of Juniors

Playground duties

• To contribute and organise activities to promote interpersonal skills and promote harmony in the playground.
• To observe the children and report any concerns to the class teacher concerned.
• To monitor the welfare and safety of the children as they play.
• To monitor the welfare and safety of Junior pupils at break times every day

Other Duties

The duties and responsibilities in this job description are not restrictive and the post holder may be required to undertake any other duties which may be required from time to time. Any such duties should not, however, substantially change the general character of the post.

Qualifications

Level 3 Diploma in Childcare and Education or equivalent.

Person Specification:

• Organised, proactive, and able to work independently and as part of a team.
• Good communication skills with staff and students.
• Previous experience in an educational or school environment.

What We Offer:

As part of our team, you will receive:

• Competitive salary
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Wellbeing services
• Training and professional development opportunities

Benefits

• Company events
• Company pension
• School fee remission
• Free lunch

As with all School employees, it is the School’s responsibility to adhere to and ensure compliance with the School’s Child Safeguarding Policy at all times, thus promoting and safeguarding the welfare of children and young persons with whom he/she comes into contact.

If, in the course of carrying out the duties of the post, you become aware of any actual or potential risks to the safety or welfare of children in the School, you must report any concerns to the School’s Designated Safeguarding Lead.

This position is subject to an enhanced DBS certificate in the event of a successful application.

In accordance with the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 all employees have a duty to look after their own and others’ health and safety. Ditcham Park School is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

• Closing date: Monday 20th April 9am
• Interviews: w/c 27th April

Agencies need not apply