Learning Support Assistant

What skills and experience we're looking for

TYPICAL TASKS, DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Curriculum support

• Contribute to curriculum planning and evaluation and assist in implementation;
• Assist in the delivery of lessons/sessions and interact with the teacher and pupils as required; Undertake agreed learning activities/teaching programmes, adjusting activities according to pupil responses;
• Support and use ICT in learning activities & develop pupils’ competence and independence in its use.

Support for pupils

• Support individuals or groups during independent /group work, e.g. explain tasks, reinforce key objectives/concepts or vocabulary, use practical apparatus, support less able pupils, extend/challenge more able, keep pupils on task, interested, motivated and engaged;
• Occasional support to whole class for short periods.
• Help pupils to develop communication skills and role play activity;
• Promote inclusion and acceptance of all pupils, encourage them to interact and work co-operatively and engage in activities;
• Promote independence and development of self-esteem;
• Assist in the personal, social, emotional development of pupils and development of self-esteem;
• Assist with the development and implementation of IEPs/behaviour plans;
• Use specialist skills/ knowledge/ training to provide support in specialist areas;
• Encourage and reinforce positive interactions between pupils working within any behaviour targets set; Identify and report uncharacteristic behaviour patterns;
• Assist with pupil supervision on trips off the premises, under overall guidance of the teacher;
• Monitor and provide for general care, safety and welfare of pupils, including tasks connected with their social inclusion and personal/physical care.

Support to teacher

• Assist with lesson/activity planning, delivery and evaluation;
• Monitor individual/group achievements of key objectives and provide feedback to the teacher;
• Contribute to pupil assessment through observation and reporting;
• Record information relevant to assessment and review of pupils’ progress;
• Attend IEP and statement review meetings if appropriate;
• Support implementation of strategies to manage pupil behaviour and help manage pupil behaviour;
• Active involvement in day to day management of the learning environment including responsibility for the care and preparation of teaching aids, equipment, materials and differentiated resources;
• Undertake routine and non-routine administrative tasks, e.g. produce worksheets, administer coursework;
• Liaise with parents/carers, specialist teachers and other professional staff, share and provide information.

QUALIFICATIONS, TRAINING AND LIKELY ABILITIES

• Ideally educated to degree standard candidates as a minimum will hold a recognised and relevant NVQ level 2 or above qualification and have undertaken other appropriate training (preferably leading to national standards at NVQ level 3) or be able to demonstrate equivalent knowledge, experience and skills.
• Minimum GCSE (or equivalent) English and Maths at grades A-C
• Have good communication and listening skills and be able to present information verbally and in writing to others.
• Have experience of Teaching Assistant work.
• Have attended further training on aspects of the curriculum or areas of specific special need.
• Have good level of knowledge and understanding of at least one area of learning (e.g. English, maths, science, etc).
• Understand school’s policies and how they relate to local and national frameworks/policies (e.g. child protection, health and safety, equal opportunities, SEN).
• Can use ICT effectively to support learning and use other technology equipment.
• Can plan own work when required.
• Can transfer theory/training into practice.
• Can solve problems and can exercise initiative and independent action.
• Is pro-active in offering ideas.

Shipston High School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. This post is subject to an enhanced DBS disclosure.

What the school offers its staff

Shipston High School has a unique school atmosphere, arising from our high expectations and our student-centred ethos. It is an ethos in which our teachers are able to focus on the wellbeing and academic progress of our young people. As a result, both students and teachers flourish.

Our students are our best advertisement. They are motivated, hard working and well behaved. In July 2023, Ofsted noted that ‘pupils are mature, polite and considerate of others’, further observing that ‘Pupils show positive attitudes towards learning’.

Commitment to safeguarding

Shipston High School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. This post is subject to an enhanced DBS disclosure.