Pond Meadow School

Pond Meadow School are seeking a Teaching Assistant Apprentice to learn and work towards achieving a Level 3 teaching assistant Qualification. Working under the guidance of teaching staff to undertake care/support programmes, to enable access to learning for pupils and to assist the teacher in the management of pupils and the classroom.

**Main Purposes of the Job**
- Work under the guidance of teachers in the planning and implementation of work programmes with individuals or groups of pupils or the whole class to promote effective teaching and learning for pupils who have complex social, emotional and behavioural difficulties and multiple barriers to learning
- During the short term absence of a class teacher, supervise the whole class and deliver pre-prepared activities within agreed staffing levels and appropriate risk assessments
- Provide general support to teachers in the management and organisation of pupils and the classroom, ensuring appropriate support for each pupil dependant on their individual planned needs, which will require working closely with other professionals such as social workers, therapists and care staff
- Use behaviour management strategies in line with school policy and procedures, which contribute to a purposeful learning environment for pupils appropriate to their age and special needs
- Assist teachers in creating and maintaining a purposeful, orderly and supportive learning environment for all pupils, particularly helping to overcome barriers to learning
- Promote the inclusion of all pupils, ensuring they have equal opportunities to learn and develop
- Be responsible for promoting and safeguarding the welfare of children and staff within the school

Main responsibilities and tasks

Support for pupils
- To build working relationships with pupils, acting as role model and setting high expectations
- Support pupils’ learning in the most effective way, working with multidisciplinary teams in order to promote the learning and development objectives of each pupil
- Assist pupils with personal care needs which may include social, health, hygiene and welfare matters. This could include the changing of incontinence pads/soiled clothing and following a programme for prescribed medication under agreed guidance
- Support pupils through the delivery of specific learning programmes and contribute to setting individual pupil targets and to reviews
- Encourage pupils to interact and work co-operatively, ensuring all pupils are engaged in appropriate activities based on their age and special needs
- Build and maintain positive relationships with parents/carers, communicating information as required

Support for the teachers
- Work closely with teachers to assist in the planning, development and delivery of all areas of the curriculum. In the short term unplanned absence of a teacher, cover all pre-prepared activities in order to provide continuity for pupils
- As required, to prepare the classroom/outside areas for lessons, ensuring that resources and equipment are available and cleared away at the end of the lessons as appropriate
- Work on classroom displays following consultation with teachers
- Observe, monitor and evaluate pupil responses to learning activities through a range of assessment and monitoring strategies determined by the teacher
- Adopt a flexible approach to meet the varied needs of the pupils in the classroom and participate in any physical activities as appropriate
- Administer and mark routine tests under the guidance of teachers and in line with the School’s marking policy
- Provide objective and accurate feedback and reports to the class teacher and to other professionals as necessary

Support for the school
- Comply and assist with the development of policies and procedures relating to child protection, health, safety and security, SEN/inclusion and data protection, reporting all concerns to the appropriate named person
- Work in an environment where there is a varied intensity of demand from the pupils, and where physical intervention may be needed to ensure the safety of children and staff, prevent serious damage to property, and maintain the good order and discipline of the school
- Attend relevant meetings and participate in training opportunities and professional development as required
- Provide support for pupils’ emotional and social needs by encouraging and modelling positive behaviour in line with School policy
- Plan, prepare for and accompany teaching staff and pupils on visits, trips and out of school activities as required within contracted hours, and to take responsibility for pupils and their individual needs
- Assist with the general pastoral care of pupils, including helping pupils who are unwell, distressed or unsettled and have emotional and behavioural difficulties
- Follow a programme of medication for individual pupils as required
- Assist in the training and development of other staff
- Adhere to the School’s health and safety policy, i