Teaching Assistant

Main Purpose of the Role:

As a Teaching Assistant at Marjorie McClure School, you'll work closely with class teachers to elevate pupils' learning and achievement. You'll promote their independence, self-esteem, and social inclusion, while providing essential support both individually and in groups to help them access the curriculum, engage in learning, and experience a sense of accomplishment. Additionally, you'll assist with personal care and medical needs, ensuring every child receives the comprehensive support they need to thrive.

Roles & Responsibilities:

• Demonstrate an informed and efficient approach to teaching and learning by adopting relevant strategies to support the work of the teacher and increase achievement of all pupils.
• Support the teaching of a broad and balanced curriculum aimed at pupils achieving their full potential in all areas of learning.
• Join in with the activities of the students in classes. Ensure students remain focused and support positive engagement within the classroom.
• Assist in carrying out a modified curriculum and prepare adapted material, for example visual aids.
• Participate in the planning process with delivery of areas of the curriculum.
• Assist pupils with interventions and engage with other agencies as required.
• Organise and manage teaching space and resources to help maintain a stimulating and safe learning environment. Take pride in creating a positive learning environment, including displays.
• Contribute to effective assessment and planning by supporting the monitoring, recording and reporting of pupil performance and progress as appropriate to the level of the role, for example, effective use of EfL.
• Read and understand lesson plans shared prior to lessons.
• Supervise a class if the teacher is temporarily unavailable.
• Use effective behaviour management strategies consistently in line with the school’s policy and procedures.
• To confidentially engage with school IT systems and engage in specialist training.
• To ensure familiarity with pupils EHCPs, Curriculum Access plans, Individual Target Plans and other relevant information and to contribute to these where required.
• Take part in meetings and discussions on specified pupils, attend staff and team meetings.
• Communicate effectively with other staff members and pupils, and with parents and carers under the direction of the class teacher.
• Communicate your knowledge and understanding of pupils to other school staff and education, health and social care professionals, so that informed decision making can take place on intervention and provision.
• Communicate with pupils by means of Makaton, Communication Book, AAC or any other nonverbal means of communication.
• Contribute to meetings with parents and carers by providing feedback on pupil progress, attainment and barriers to learning, as directed by teachers.
• To support students at lunchtimes, preparing specialist feeds, tending to feeding tubes and water flushes and feeding where required. (Specialist training will be provided).
• To actively engage students at break times, encouraging play and social engagement.
• To support students with manual handling following the school’s health and safety guidance and procedures.
• Assist with personal care, eg: support with toileting, changing pads or cleaning up where a pupil has no control of her/his bowels or bladder.
• Undertake administration of medication and support the medical and broader needs of students as outlined in EHCPs and support plans.
• To support with assemblies, clubs, off-site trips and school events and contribute to planning where appropriate.
• To support students with swimming/hydrotherapy, including changing and in the pool.
• Fully and positively participate in the school’s appraisal processes and engage in ongoing specialist training and professional development.
• To undertake any other duties commensurate with the level of the post, as required to ensure the efficient and effective running of the school.