Job Summary

Come and join our team as a SEN Teaching Assistant 

Would you like to be part of a team of teachers, therapists and support assistants providing an educational and therapeutic programme to some exceptional students?

We are a small independent School for children with special educational needs based in Lambeth.

We are looking for two full time Teaching Assistants to start January 2018.

You will work collaboratively to support the needs of our Primary aged students through an experiential approach to learning.

Come along and meet our students and staff.

Responsibilities and Duties

Job Description - Teaching Assistant

Line managed by the Headteacher via the assigned class teacher.

Core Purpose:

To provide assistance in teaching pupils with special educational needs.

Specific Responsibilities:

• Develop an understanding of the specific needs of the pupils concerned,
• Take into account the special needs of the pupils involved and help them to learn as effectively as possible both in group situations and on their own, for example:
• Clarifying, breaking down and explaining instructions
• Helping the pupils with personal organisational skills (e.g. equipment, homework, timetables)
• Reading text to them that they are not able to cope with at the same time as encouraging them to tackle texts that are within their capabilities.
• Supporting the children with alternative methods of recording in classes (e.g. IT, mindmaps, audio tapes, labeling diagrams, highlighting)
• Providing pre and post activities to consolidate their learning using a variety of strategies to support memory
• Motivating and encouraging pupils to manage their difficulties whilst valuing their strengths and promoting self-esteem
• Helping pupils to stay focused in lessons and complete the work set
• By liaising with relevant teachers and on-site therapists, help to prepare differentiated learning materials
• To work 1:1 with children with physically aggressive and challenging behaviours employing positive physical restraint techniques if required.

Supporting the teaching staff

• Assist with the delivery of structured multi-sensory programmes, mainly by reinforcing skills being taught
• Help organise materials and resources
• Contribute daily to the system of recording and evaluating pupils' progress
• Attend class and annual reviews and relevant resource meetings
• Alert the teacher as soon as pupils experience difficulties in classes or in extended activities
• Assist in the manual handling of pupils in line with their manual handling plans
• Undertake any other reasonable tasks as directed by the teacher/Headteacher

Supporting the school

• Be aware of and implement school procedures and policies such as those for homework, behavior, child protection, health and safety and contact with parents
• Attend relevant in-service training
• Undertake any other reasonable tasks as directed by the Headteacher.

Additional requirements

• Experience of working with children aged 11 and above
• An understanding of the needs of pupils with complex learning difficulties and disabilities
• Experience of working with children with special educational needs,
• An ability to work as part of a team and make an active contribution to learning
• The enthusiasm to help pupils overcome their difficulties by using a variety of support strategies
• Organisational ability - keeping records on work done with pupils and responsibility for the unit's equipment
• Basic IT skills