Junior School Teaching Assistant Job Description Responsible to: Head of Junior School Timetable: Full Time (flexible hours will be considered for the right candidate) Salary: Up to £21,640 per annum (including holiday pay) Hours: 8.00 to 5:00pm Pension: Group Save Contributory Pension Scheme Introduction Our Junior School, Morley House caters for children from 3 years old until 11, and is located in an independent building in a pleasant residential area of Lewes. A talented and experienced team lead our Pre-Reception and Reception classes. The staff to pupil ratio is high, and children learn and play in a safe and creative environment, in which they are guided towards their Early Learning Goals. We are committed to offering our pupils a truly personalised education. Our small classes are tailored so that children have a range of experiences, sometimes working in mixed ability groups, and at other times in groups where their needs can be supported more specifically, by either stretching them beyond the content of the normal curriculum, or supporting areas of weakness. Specialist teaching complements the pastoral care of the class teacher; throughout the school, subject experts teach our children PE, Music and Modern Foreign Languages. By Year 4, alongside these subjects, pupils benefit from a Computing and ICT specialist, in Year 5 Science is added, and by Year 6, Latin. This rich and varied curriculum is built on close links with the Senior School. Expertise, resources and facilities are shared, our older pupils being taught subjects including Science, Home Economics and Design and Technology in their labs and workshops; at the end of Year 6 Morley House pupils eagerly anticipate their transition to the Senior School where staff who already know them are ready to ease them into the next phase of their education. The Senior School occupies four architecturally historic buildings in the High Street of the ancient town of Lewes. Here we educate children from the age of 11, (Year 7), until 18 years of age, (Sixth Form), and always feature well in the Sussex GCSE and A Level league tables. We have an ambitious development plan for the school’s facilities over the next five years. Purpose of Job/Key objectives To provide support for the Teaching Staff in the Junior School and to help to run a variety of extra-curricular activities in order to increase the opportunity for high achievement and memorable moments for pupils. Principal Duties/Tasks and responsibilities Classroom • Preparing the physical environment of the classroom for lessons; • Ensuring that teaching materials are ready for use; • Helping teachers to plan lessons; • Listening to children read out loud; • Teaching children techniques which will help them to improve their reading; • Reading out loud to children; • Listening to children reading; • Helping children who have learning difficulties to complete tasks; • Taking notes for children who have difficulty keeping up with the pace of the class; • Helping children make displays and putting these displays up around the classroom; • • Taking charge of group activities and making sure all students are involved; Taking charge of children who have problems or have had an accident; • Providing general encouragement for all the children in the class; • Taking extra time to explain the teaching material to children who have not understood it the first time; • Helping teachers to assess the work and providing feedback to the children; • Help to planning sports days and extra-curricular activities; • Help to take charge of these activities on the day; • Keeping classroom records and notes about the progress of all the children; • Support with school fixtures and trips as required. General: • Attend and participate in staff meetings and training as appropriate. • Perform any other task deemed reasonable by the Head of Junior School or the Headmaster as appropriate to their experience and training • Award house points and commendations in consultation with teaching staff. • Be proactive in maintaining standards throughout the school. • Assist with the wrap around care offering before and after the school day. Person Specification Qualifications • Minimum of GCSE or equivalent in Maths and English. • Degree educated is preferred but not mandatory • Level 3 Childcare Qualification is preferred but not mandatory. the School may consider funding training for the right candidate Skills and Experience • Capacity to inspire pupils and enhance pupil learning; • Proven communication and interpersonal skills; • Empathy for pupils, parents, staff and the community; • Willingness to learn and use new technologies; • Works collaboratively and supportively with colleagues within school and other organisations; • Respects and values the different experiences, ideas and backgrounds others can bring to work and to teams; • Ability to motivate and encourage participation in activities and a willingness to take part in and/or organise trips and visits; • A generosity of spirit and a willingness to contribute to the extra-curricular life of the School. Interviews Only those shortlisted for interview will be contacted. Due to the need to appoint quickly we reserve the right to interview and appoint at any stage of the process. Applications must be made using the school’s Application Form, Equal Opportunities Form along with a covering letter of application, including full contact details of two referees. CVs will not be accepted without a completed application form. Any queries regarding the application process should be directed to the HR Coordinator, HR@logs.uk.com. Please send completed application forms to HR@logs.uk.com. Lewes Old Grammar School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Applicants must be willing to undergo Child Protection screening appropriate to the post, including checks with past employers, the Disclosure and Barring Service and sign a self- disclosure form.