Vacancy: Senior / Higher Level Teaching Assistant

The successful candidate will join a strong friendly team, whose vision for children’s individual needs is at the heart of every aspect of school life – every child matters. The school is a single entry primary and nursery school with provision for 2 year olds upwards with an average NOR of 262. The proportion of disadvantaged pupils eligible for pupil premium funding is above the national average, as is the proportion of children who have special educational needs and / or disabilities. There is a 30-place Resource Base providing specialist provision for pupils with a range of complex needs at the school; these children spend time with their peers in mainstream classes when appropriate.

River Mead’s Teaching Assistant team is highly professional, experienced, and committed. The successful candidate will become a key leader within this close-knit team, and contribute to the life of the whole school. The role will involve:
• Supporting the leadership of the team of Teaching Assistants within the school, directing individuals as required
• Working with groups of individuals within all curricular areas, in a variety of tasks to develop the physical, intellectual, emotional and social skills of the children
• Leading learning activities to develop children’s knowledge through support and encouragement
• Ensuring the preparation of activities is completed, so that appropriate materials / equipment are available
• Preparing and adapting teaching aids, games, worksheets etc
• Meeting pupils’ pastoral needs for praise, comfort, encouragement, reassurance and care

The role will be a good fit for you if you are:
• Inclusive, passionate, and principled. These are our Trust core principles, and everyone who works for us embodies these in their own unique way
• Highly experienced in working with primary school childrenM
• Able to support all children with their learning and development
• Happy to work in a team, as well as being able to use your own initiative
• Experienced in leading a successful team of Teaching Assistants, directing others as required to ensure a high quality of provision for all children at all times

You will need to have the following skills to be really effective in this role:
• Trained in First Aid and Advanced Safeguarding, or willing to undertake training
• Able to communicate well both verbally and in writing with children and adults alike
• Qualified in NVQ Level 3 Teaching and Learning (essential)
• Qualified as a Higher Level Teaching Assistant (preferred)