Teaching Assistant Cambridge, East of England, England
Job description
TEACHING ASSISTANT
Maternity cover starting April 2023
Page
Job Description 1
Person Specification 2
Terms of Employment 3
Applications 4
St John’s – an Introduction 5
St John’s College School is seeking a Teaching Assistant on a fixed term contract to start in April 2023, until 12 July 2023.
The position will be in our Kindergarten (Reception) class.
In Kindergarten, the teaching is play based (or ‘continuous provision’ model) utilizing, child initiated learning, so the Assistant in these year groups will need to enjoy playing with young children, engaging them in learning through play, as much as teaching through adult-led activities.
The post of Teaching Assistant within the Junior Department (aged 4-8) at Byron House is a varied, demanding and rewarding one. The duties involved range from the more mundane to activities that include a high level of responsibility for the welfare and education of the children.
Our prime aim, with the young, is to ensure that they are happy at school and that their emotional and social development is promoted and safeguarded. The Teaching Assistants work very closely with the Class Teacher to ensure that we have the fullest possible knowledge and understanding of each child’s needs.
Children join us aged 4+ from a very wide variety of educational backgrounds and at very different developmental stages. To support the children in their learning, the school employs a large number of Individual Needs specialists who work with children individually or in small groups to assess and meet their particular needs. The Teaching Assistants and teachers work very closely with the Individual Needs department to ensure that all coheres in the child’s best interests.
Attention to the children’s needs is the main priority, in whatever form such needs may manifest themselves. While much of an assistant’s time will be spent in and around the classroom, the duties involving supervising and leading the children’s play at breaktimes are of equal importance and the school prides itself on the interest it takes in the whole life of the children at school.
Job Description
In general terms, the Role of a Teaching Assistant at St John’s includes, but is not limited to, the following duties and responsibilities:
- To reinforce the teaching objectives to a small group of children under the direction of the teacher in order to provide differentiation within the classroom.
- To assist the teacher in the provision of a full range of stimulating activities for children in a class and/or group.
- To work with the teacher in setting up practical learning situations in, for example, DT, Mathematics, Art and Craft.
- To encourage the development of language, speech and conversation particularly of those children identified by the Teacher as having a particular need.
- To spend certain amounts of time in or out of the classroom with specified groups to provide support in the development of speaking and listening, reading, writing, motor skills, social skills and Maths.
- To carry out an objective from a child’s individual plan.
- To hear children read and reinforce reading skills, keeping records of children’s progress in reading and updating progress on the book bands scheme.
- To assist in promoting the physical, intellectual, emotional and social development of all the children.
- To supervise children in the temporary absence of the class teacher.
- To observe children's play and behavior, reporting significant facts to the teacher.
- To assist the teacher in establishing good relationships with parents.
- To assist with the children’s outdoor learning in all weathers.
- To attend staff meetings and year group meetings where appropriate, to share information about children's progress and the planning of activities.
- To attend relevant courses and in-service training for career enhancement.
- To prepare materials for lessons and displays.
- To ensure that classroom equipment and other school property are maintained in good order.
- To undertake simple routine repairs.
- To assist children with toileting, changing clothes and clearing up as necessary.
- To ensure cloakroom areas are kept tidy.
- To prepare classrooms for lessons, including setting out and tidying away equipment and materials required in the programme at the beginning and end of each day, where applicable
- To help to prepare and tidy up the classrooms before the start and at the end of each term.
- To supervise at break and lunch times under a designated role to ensure a happy playtime.
- To cover staff duties in the event of absences, as directed by Administration Manager or other senior leaders
- To support children in learning through play by observing, interacting and playing alongside them
- To undertake any routine duties or activities, over and above those described, deemed appropriate by the form teacher or Head of the Junior Department.
This job description is not exhaustive and may be amended from time to time.
Person Specification
Our key concern is to appoint candidates who share our commitment to caring for each child. While our Teaching Assistants are, in general, highly qualified, evidence of a genuine interest in children is of equal significance. The successful candidate is likely to offer:
- an appropriate qualification (an NNEB or equivalent is usually the minimum qualification)
- successful experience in a similar position with experience of play-based learning in particular.
- knowledge of the EYFS curriculum.
- a commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people.
- enthusiasm for the outdoors and a willingness to take part in learning in all weathers.
- evidence of an interest in further professional development.
- an interest and a willingness to undertake training in the use of ICT (funded by the school) both in relation to the curriculum itself and as part of a broader development of ICT skills within the educational administration of e.g. record keeping, assessment and monitoring.
- a Paediatric First Aid qualification or the willingness to undertake training in First Aid funded by the school.
In addition to the above, it is essential that the successful candidate should evidence the following qualities:
- a commitment to developing the individual talents and meeting the individual needs of each child within and beyond the curriculum.
- a commitment to the pastoral care of, and respect for, children.
- an ability to communicate and co-operate with colleagues.
- an enjoyment in playing imaginatively and creatively with young children.
Overall, the successful candidates will wish to play a full part in a thriving and highly caring community.
Terms of Employment
Hours
The post will be term time only. The school is in session for 34 weeks per year, in addition to which staff are expected to be available, as required, for two days before and two days after each term to prepare for and ‘tidy up’ after the term, and to attend any pre-term training days. Working hours will be 40 hours per week from 8.00am to 4.30pm, Monday to Friday, with a 30 minute unpaid lunch break. (There will be some flexibility on start and end times.) Job Share will also be considered.
There are, occasionally, times when an assistant may be asked to work outside the above stated hours without further remuneration, e.g. being available for staff meetings or training after school or for the (very) occasional Saturday morning or weekday afternoon for e.g. open days, sports days or visits of prospective pupils.
Applications
A handwritten letter of application should be sent with a fully completed application form to Mrs Lisa Graves, HR & Compliance Officer, St John's College School, 75 Grange Road, Cambridge CB3 9AA or emailed to ([email protected])
A long list of candidates will be drawn up, from which a short-list will be invited to attend the school for the final interview procedure, which will involve tours of the school, meetings with various members of staff and the final interview itself, which will include questions in relation to Safeguarding.
All reasonable interview expenses will be reimbursed by the School.
Interview date to be confirmed.
Any offer of employment is conditional upon the satisfactory completion of all of the regulatory pre-employment checks, which must be concluded prior to your first day at St John’s
St John’s College School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children.
Applicants must be willing to undergo child protection screening appropriate to the post, including checks with past employers and the Disclosure and Barring Service.
All appointments are subject to a criminal background check and proof of qualifications in accordance with the requirements of the Children Act.
Job Type: Full-time
Salary: From £16.05 per hour
Benefits:
- Company pension
- Discounted or free food
- Free parking
- Life insurance
- On-site parking
- Sick pay
Schedule:
- Monday to Friday
Ability to commute/relocate:
- Cambridge: reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work (required)
Experience:
- Early childhood education: 1 year (preferred)
Work Location: One location
Application deadline: 17/04/2023
