Level 2 Teaching Assistant - Reading Champion

Vacancy for a Reading Champion at West Town Primary Academy!

Salary: Grade 5, Points 5-7 £19,463-£20,086 (salary based on 32.5 hours, 38 weeks).

Hours: 32.5 hours per week, 38 weeks per year (term time only).

Part time hours will also be considered for this role. Please include in your supporting statement if you would like to apply for part time hours.

We have an exciting opportunity for a Reading Champion at West Town Primary Academy! This rewarding role will involve the promotion of reading and literacy in our school and will include overseeing and delivering intervention programmes using our Little Wandle reading and phonics resources. A significant aspect of the role will be supporting pupils who require targeted phonics and early reading intervention in order to accelerate progress and develop confidence as readers.

This is a role with opportunities for development and you will be working alongside our Early Reading and Phonics Lead and teaching staff to support children to become successful, fluent and independent readers. You will be responsible for leading targeted phonics interventions, small-group reading sessions and one-to-one support, ensuring that interventions are delivered consistently and effectively. The successful candidate will also support the assessment and monitoring of pupil progress, contribute to intervention planning and develop additional resources to support learning. This is a fun, varied and fulfilling role where you will engage effectively with children, teaching staff and parents/carers while promoting a love of reading and supporting improved outcomes for pupils across the school.

This role is particularly suited to candidates who have experience of supporting phonics and early reading. While training will be provided, applicants should have a secure understanding of phonics and be confident leading structured phonics interventions and small-group reading sessions independently.

The ideal candidate:

• Grade 5/C or above in GCSE English and Mathematics (or equivalent)
• A passion for developing children as successful readers through effective phonics and reading instruction
• Experience of working with primary-aged children and delivering phonics and/or reading interventions
• Experience of delivering the Little Wandle phonics programme or another recognised systematic synthetic phonics programme (desirable)
• Experience of supporting pupils requiring phonics catch-up interventions beyond Key Stage 1 (desirable)
• A good understanding of systematic synthetic phonics and early reading development, with the ability to lead targeted phonics interventions and reading groups
• Ability to assess, monitor and adapt provision to meet pupils' needs and accelerate progress
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to work effectively with children, families, colleagues and other professionals
• Willingness to undertake further training and professional development An understanding of child protection and safeguarding issues

About West Town Primary Academy West Town Primary Academy is a vibrant, culturally rich city school with high aspirations for every child. We are proud of our diverse and inclusive community, where pupils are supported to flourish academically, socially and personally. High-quality teaching is at the heart of everything we do, underpinned by strong research, expert staff and a commitment to continuous professional development. Our modern, purpose-built environment offers exceptional learning facilities, while our broad and engaging curriculum places equal value on core subjects, the arts and enrichment opportunities. At West Town, we are passionate about developing confident, curious learners and future-ready individuals. About Meridian Trust Meridian Trust is a values-led organisation formed in 2011 that has risen to be one of the highest-performing academy trusts in the country. The Trust is founded on its commitment to a high-quality educational provision for all at the heart of local communities. Meridian currently operates primary, secondary and special schools across Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Peterborough, Lincolnshire and Northamptonshire. Meridian Trust offers a wealth of fantastic benefits for teaching and support staff which are highlighted below but are not limited to -

• Apprenticeship and CPD opportunities which allow you to gain specialist knowledge in a role you are passionate about developing in
• Opportunity to jump start your career in teaching through our dedicated Initial Teacher Training Team (ITT)
• Support for mental health and wellbeing through our Employee Assistance Programme and other resources
• Cycle to work scheme
• Defined benefit local government or Teacher’s pension scheme
• Healthcare benefits including free eye test vouchers and flu vaccinations
• Free on-site parking
• Discounts on a wide range of benefits from everyday essentials to holidays

To explore our full range of benefits, please visit https://www.meridiantrust.co.uk/jobs-and-training/benefits/. For more information about the role please download the Applicant Information Pack below. Meridian Trust reserves the right to close the applications early in the event that a suitable candidate is sourced. Applications will be reviewed as received so please apply early to avoid disappointment.

The Trust is committed to diversity and inclusion and equality of opportunity for all staff and applications from individuals are encouraged regardless of age, disability, sex, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, race, religion or belief and marriage and civil partnerships. The Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. All appointments will be subject to pre-employment checks, including an enhanced check with the Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS), as well as online searches.