Apprentice SEN Teaching Assistant
About This Role
Innovate Multi Academy Trust is made up of 6 village Primary schools situated in Northamptonshire. We have a supportive staff team in all of our schools and are friendly schools at the heart of their village communities.
Work within our friendly, committed school team at Kilsby CE Primary School as a Teaching Assistant to support children with Special Educational Needs. Working with children on a 1:1 basis and in small groups.
We are looking for someone who is friendly and polite, well organised, able to show initiative, adaptable, calm, patient and with a good sense of humour. The ability to respect confidentiality is key.
Support for pupils:
Develop knowledge of all pupils socially, emotionally and academically including home circumstances, barriers to learning etc.
Gain a specific understanding of the learning needs of the pupils to be supported whatever their ability
Supervise and provide particular support for pupils, ensuring their safety and access to learning activities, this may be individuals or groups of any ability within the class
Aid pupils’ learning, as effectively as possible, both in group situations and independently by, for example:
clarifying and explaining instructions;
encouraging children to listen to the class teacher and then explain what they are expected to do
ensuring the child is able to use equipment and materials provided safely and with precision;
assisting in weaker areas, e.g. language, behaviour, social skills, reading, spelling, maths, handwriting/presentation;
helping in stronger areas to use and apply knowledge and understanding to more open-ended tasks
helping children to concentrate well and finish work set and become autonomous in this
meeting physical needs as required whilst encouraging independence
assisting with the development and implementation of Individual Education/Behaviour Plans and Personal Care programmes within the class where possible
developing appropriate resources to support the children
providing support for individual children inside and outside the classroom to enable them to interact socially and cooperatively with others and engage in activities led by the teacher
establish a constructive relationship with the pupils and interact with them calmly, respectfully and firmly when necessary
Promote the inclusion and acceptance of all children
Set challenging and demanding expectations and promote self-esteem and independence
Provide the necessary pastoral care to enable children to feel secure and happy
Provide feedback to pupils in relation to progress and achievement under the guidance of the teacher
Support for the Teacher
Assist the class teacher (and other professionals as appropriate), in the development and planning of a suitable programme of support for specific pupils if necessary
Inform yourself of weekly plans in advance of the lesson so that you are able to prepare appropriately, with the support of the teacher, for the group you will be supporting
Monitor pupil’s responses to learning activities and accurately record achievement as directed
Provide detailed and regular feedback about the children to the teacher
Contribute to the maintenance of children’s progress records
Participate in the evaluation of the support programme of specific pupils
Promote good behaviour, dealing promptly with conflicts and incidents in line with established policy, and encourage children to take responsibility for their own behaviour
Establish constructive relationships with parents/carers
Administer routine tests and undertake routine marking of children’s work as directed by the teacher, of groups that have been supported by you
Support class teachers in photocopying and other tasks in order to support teaching
Support for the Curriculum:
Undertake structured and agreed learning activities/teaching programmes, adjusting activities according to pupil responses to everyday assessment
Undertake intervention programmes as agreed with Inclusion Manager and class teacher, recording achievement and progress, and feeding back to the teacher
Support the use of ICT in learning activities and develop pupils’ competence and independence in its use
Assist with the preparation and maintenance of equipment/resources required to meet lesson plans/relevant learning activities to support the delivery of an enriched curriculum
Support for Lunchtimes:
Set up and clear away tables, chairs in the dining area
Set out play equipment
Assist the cook with setting out food, cutlery and crockery
Clean up any spillages of food or drink
Sweep floors once tables and chairs are cleared away
Safeguard pupils’ health and safety during lunchtime
Ensure children line up in a timely manner
Ensure children have a balance of dining and recreation time
Lead the children in ‘grace’
Monitor children to encourage them to eat healthy lunches
Help children who may be having difficulties i.e. cutting up food
Encourage good table manners
Ensure good behaviour in line with the school’s behaviour policy
Comfort children who may be upset
Supervise children in the playground or in the hall and classrooms in wet weather
Make appropriate decisions concerning first aid incidents and illness to ensure maximum safety for the children during lunchtime
Deal with any minor first aid incidents such as cuts, grazes and bruises or referring to a First Aider
Check, monitor and resolve health and welfare issues and refer these to appropriate members of staff
Support for the school:
Be aware of and comply with the procedures relating to child protection, health, safety and security, confidentiality and data protection, reporting all concerns to an appropriate person
Be aware of, and support difference, ensure all pupils have equal access to opportunities to learn and develop
Contribute to the overall ethos, work and aims of the school
Be prepared to uphold the Christian and British values of the school even if not a Christian yourself
Appreciate and support the roles of other professionals
Attend and participate in relevant meetings and training as required
Where appropriate, develop a relationship to foster links between home and school
Liaise, advise and consult with other members of the team supporting the children as appropriate
Contribute to reviews of children’s progress as appropriate
Set a good example in terms of dress, punctuality, attitude, collaboration, respect and attendance
Prepare and present displays of children’s work as required
Carry out lunchtime supervision and playground duties on a rota and ad hoc basis
Accompany teacher and children on educational visits
Undertake other duties from time to time as required by the Head of School or Class Teacher
Work within our friendly, committed school team as a Teaching Assistant to support children with Special Educational Needs. Supporting children on a 1:1 basis and in small groups. Working Monday to Friday 8:30am to 3:30pm with 30 mins lunch break (32 hours per week) term time only (39 weeks per year).
We are Regional Finalists 2025 in the Apprenticeship & Skills Awards which demonstrates our commitment to employing, supporting and developing apprentices.