Teaching Assistant

Overview

The main purpose of the job:

The Teaching Assistant will provide tailored support to children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND), including those with severe physical, learning, and complex behavioural difficulties. The role involves assisting in supporting the educational, social, and physical needs of pupils, helping them to access the curriculum and participate in school life. You will work closely with teachers and other educational professionals, ensuring students’ individual needs are met and fostering a supportive and inclusive environment.

Expectations

• Uphold and clearly communicate strong values and a moral purpose centred on supporting pupils’ growth and well‑being.
• Exhibit an optimistic demeanour, fostering positive relationships and attitudes towards students with profound, severe, and complex learning needs, as well as towards staff, parents, governors, and the local community.
• Lead by example, demonstrating integrity, creativity, resilience, and clear direction.
• Continuously enhance your knowledge of local education systems and remain committed to ongoing professional development.

Responsibilities

• Support students in developing their knowledge, skills, and attitudes according to the curriculum, ensuring the necessary learning support is in place for effective learning.
• Build positive and supportive relationships with pupils, promoting individual development, social integration, and boosting self‑esteem.
• Track pupil progress, monitor health, behaviour, and overall well‑being, providing feedback or adjustments as needed.
• Effectively use IT systems as required by the school.
• Work independently with small groups of children on specific tasks, under the overall guidance of the teacher.
• Participate in parent meetings (which may be outside regular school hours), offering constructive feedback on pupil progress, achievement, and behaviour when necessary.
• Maintain confidentiality in regards to sensitive issues linked to home, pupil, staff, and school.
• Administer minor first aid where training has been undertaken.
• Administer medically prescribed drugs as per the approved procedure.
• Assist with the safe physical and medical needs of pupils, including:
  • personal hygiene/self‑care (e.g., toileting or changing)
  • specialist care (e.g., one‑to‑one feeding) where training has been undertaken
  • mobility needs (e.g., use of wheelchairs or hoists) where training has been undertaken
• Support in the management of pupils with challenging emotional and behavioural difficulties so as to prevent harm and disruption to the pupil or others.
• Supervise pupils during break time, and plan and organise play time activities where required.
• Accompany children on educational visits as supervised by senior staff.
• Contribute to class meetings, staff meetings, and school‑based INSET.
• Carry out interventions as required; raise any concerns in accordance with the school’s safeguarding policies and procedures.
• Assist with duties relating to pupil swimming and sports activities/events where relevant.
• Deliver therapy to pupils such as physiotherapy or speech and language therapy as guided by professionals where training has been undertaken.
• Input into planning of lesson content led by teaching staff where relevant.
• Provide pastoral care to pupils where relevant.
• Ensure all teaching aids are readily available by monitoring stock levels of materials, checking for missing/damaged equipment, and arranging for new supplies to be ordered where relevant.
• Assist in preparing, using, and maintaining relevant teaching resources, including wall displays, and ensuring classrooms are left clean and tidy.

General responsibilities for all Trust roles

• To ensure that pupils’ needs are prioritised and to have a clear sight of how this role impacts on the academy’s and the Trust’s pupils at all times.
• To act as a Trust team member and provide support and cover for other staff where needs arise, inclusive of occasional work at other sites within a reasonable travel distance.
• To adhere to Trust values and behaviours.
• To be aware of and adhere to all Trust policies and procedures.
• To be responsible for your own continuing self‑development and attend meetings as appropriate.
• To undertake other duties appropriate to the post as required.

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