Teaching Assistant

At St Mary's CE VA Primary Academy, Teaching Assistants play a vital role in supporting high-quality teaching and learning through strong relationships, inclusive practice and evidence-informed approaches to learning.

The Teaching Assistant will:

• Work alongside teachers to deliver high-quality learning experiences that enable all pupils to achieve their potential.
• Support the implementation of the school's curriculum using approaches informed by the science of learning, including retrieval practice, modelling, guided practice, scaffolding, feedback and metacognition.
• Foster warm, nurturing and respectful relationships with pupils, promoting belonging, emotional wellbeing and positive behaviour.
• Champion inclusion and ensure pupils with SEND, disadvantaged pupils and vulnerable learners can access learning successfully.
• Uphold and actively promote the Christian vision, values and ethos of the school.
• Deliver learning activities and occasionally supervise whole classes during short-term teacher absence or PPA cover.

• Deliver targeted interventions and support programmes which accelerate learning and close attainment gaps.
• Use evidence-informed strategies to help pupils retain knowledge, develop understanding and transfer learning into long-term memory.
• Support pupils in developing metacognitive strategies, helping them understand how they learn best.
• Support pupils' medical, personal care and health needs in line with individual healthcare plans and following appropriate training
• Contribute to maintaining environments that are calm, purposeful and conducive to learning.

• Assist with the administration and supervision of assessments, where appropriate.

Supporting Inclusion and Personal Development

The Teaching Assistant will:

• Work alongside teachers, SEND staff and external professionals to support pupils with additional needs.
• Promote attendance, engagement and readiness to learn.
• Support pupils in developing social skills, emotional literacy and positive relationships.

Supporting the Curriculum

The Teaching Assistant will:

• Deliver structured intervention programmes under teacher guidance.
• Prepare and maintain learning resources and equipment.

Supporting the School Community

The Teaching Assistant will:

• Uphold the highest standards of professionalism, conduct and confidentiality.
• Maintain a strong commitment to safeguarding and pupil welfare.
• Follow all school policies and procedures consistently.
• Supervise pupils during breaktimes, lunchtimes, educational visits and other school activities as required.
• Participate in training and professional development opportunities.
• Support school improvement priorities and contribute to the wider work of the academy.

General Responsibilities

• Undertake any other duties commensurate with the grade and responsibilities of the post as reasonably directed by Senior Leaders.

What we want from you:

• Excellent behaviour management skills with the ability to work as a part of a team
• Experience of working with children in a primary setting
• Experience of supporting learning in small groups and/or whole classes
• An understanding of safeguarding responsibilities in schools
• Punctual and reliable.
• Calm and resilient approach.
• A passion for helping young people progress and develop
• Commitment to the Christian ethos and values of the school
• A good basic education with at least a Grade 4/C in English & Maths

We can offer:

• Happy motivated children who value learning
• A creative approach to the curriculum
• Children who demonstrate exceptionally high standards of behaviour
• A supportive and fun loving team of staff and governors
• Quality continued professional development

If you have the passion, resilience and determination to make a difference this really is a great opportunity to become part of a small team where you can see the impact your interventions are having. Join us and help change young people’s lives for the better.

We welcome visits to our school to have a look around and meet the team.

The position is for 5 days a week 8.45 - 3.15 term time + training days (39 weeks)

St Mary’s CE VA Primary Academy is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and we expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Any successful candidates will be subject to Disclosure and Barring Service checks along with other relevant employment checks to ensure their suitability for safeguarding children. Shortlisted candidates will have online searches carried out prior to interview.

Appointments are excluded from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. Applications must declare any convictions which for other purposes are “Spent” and in the event of employment, failure to disclose such convictions could result in dismissal or disciplinary action by the school. Applicants must provide the information requested on a questionnaire sent at the time of short-listing and understand that the provisionally selected candidate for such posts will be required to apply for a Criminal Records Bureau Disclosure at the appropriate level. Any information will be treated confidentially.