Primary Teaching Assistant at Broadoaks British School

JOB PURPOSE

Ensuring that all primary school pupils attain their potential through the effective delivery of a high quality program of teaching and learning from Year 1 to Year 6.

OVERVIEW OF THE ROLE

This job description should be read in conjunction with the teacher’s contract. The teachers are the essence of the work of the school. Each teacher is responsible for the education of the students in his/her class. In addition, it is the role of each teacher to be sure that all students are safe, secure and properly supervised at all times.

RELATIONSHIPS

• The Primary School Teaching Assistant is selected by the Director of Schools in consultation with the HOS/DHOS.
• The Primary School Teaching Assistant will report directly to the Class Teacher and Key Stage Coordinator, however, in the absence of a Key Stage Coordinator he/she will report to the DHOS/HOS who will also provide strategic leadership and day to day oversight of the Primary School Teaching Assistant.

OVERALL RESPONSIBILITIES AND FUNCTIONS

• Supporting children across the curriculum, often with a particular focus on maths, reading and writing
• Giving extra help to children with special needs or those for whom English is not their first language
• Helping to develop programmes of learning activities and adapting appropriate materials
• Motivating and encouraging pupils
• Assisting with marking and correcting work
• Take account of pupils’ prior levels of attainment and use them to set targets for future improvements.
• Maintain good discipline by adherence to the advice given to staff in the staff handbook and elsewhere.
• Work with the Class teacher to monitor the class schedule
• Assist teachers with lesson preparation by getting materials ready and setting up equipment
• Revise lesson material with pupils individually or in small groups
• Ensure the classroom environment is safe and clean
• Oversee pupils during non-classroom times including in-between classes, during lunch and on field activities.
• Collaborate with class teachers to recognise issues pupils are facing and recommend solutions
• Document pupil progress and communicate with parents to keep them informed
• Help class teachers to create lesson plans
• Teach specific subjects in agreement with the class teacher and Key stage Coordinator (usually Nigerian Studies and/or Humanities)
• Get equipment or materials ready to help teachers prepare for lessons
• Help teachers with recordkeeping, such as taking attendance and calculating grades
• Keeping up to date with changes and developments in the structure of the curriculum.
• Provide a warm, supportive, nurturing, safe and stimulating environment for the children and their families and to treat each child with dignity and respect and build a positive relationship with each child as an individual
• Act in the role of a co-teacher as one who observes, documents and researches
• Assist in the development, in consultation with the children and staff, curriculum which is appropriate to the individual developmental needs and interests of the children. The program should be empathetic towards the different social and cultural needs of different families
• Assist with documentation of children’s work by using a variety of methods including records of conversations, portfolios, videos, work samples and digital photography. Some understanding of education technology would be an advantage.
• Work in consultation with the teachers, children and parents to develop ongoing and in-depth projects
• Share information about specific children and their families with the classroom teacher and Coordinator of Schools in order to provide the necessary support and assistance when appropriate.
• Act as a support classroom assistant under the direction of the class teacher
• Supervise the activities of individuals or groups of children with the classroom
• To be aware of pupils’ problems, achievement, progress and report to the teacher as agreed
• Supervise and provide particular support for pupils, including those with special needs ensuring their safety and access to learning activities
• Provide feedback to pupils in relation to progress and achievement under the guidance of a teacher
• Promote good pupil behaviour, dealing promptly with conflict and incidents and reporting in line with school policy

Pastoral Work

• Attend assemblies and actively assist in the supervision of pupils
• Monitor (and set targets for) the social and academic progress of individuals in the class.
• Promote good attendance and monitor in accordance with the School’s attendance policy.
• Be available for all parent-teacher conferences.
• Attend all relevant meetings, including planning meetings.

Professional Standards

• Support the aims of the school to promote a “learning community”
• Treat all colleagues and pupils with respect and consideration
• Treat all pupils fairly, consistently and without prejudice.
• Set a good example to pupils in terms of appropriate dress, standards of punctuality and attendance.
• Promote the aims of the School by attendance at and participation in events
• Support the ethos of the School by upholding the behaviour policy etc.
• Take responsibility for your professional development and participate in staff training when provided.
• To be familiar with new developments and methods in the teaching of his/her field.
• Reflect on own practice as well as the practices of the School with the aim of improving all that we do.
• Participate in the management of the School by effective participation in various team and staff meetings.
• Undertake professional duties that may be reasonably assigned by the Headmaster or Headmistress.
• Undertake duties as prescribed within the Schools’ policies
• Be proactive and take responsibility for matters relating to health and safety.
• Working with others to plan and coordinate work
• Coordinating activities and resources within a specific area of the curriculum, and supporting colleagues in the delivery of this specialist area

OTHER

• Maintain diplomacy, poise, and professionalism under pressure.
• Demonstrate an excellent level of cultural acceptance and inclusion
• Have a superior understanding of Student Code of Conduct, Student Handbook, Parents Communication Policy.
• Must be fair and equitable.

Employment is subject to satisfactory reference checks, verification of qualifications, and a criminal background (police) check. All staff must complete safeguarding training and follow the school’s child protection and reporting procedures at all times.

QUALIFICATION & EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor’s Degree in Education from a reputable institution or any relevant field with a Teaching certificate if educational background is not in the field of Education.
• Profession certification in Education such as PGDE, CACHE, NVQ etc.
• Teaching qualification i.e TRCN or QTS is a must.
• MSc or professional certificates in Education or any related discipline will be an added advantage.
• Experience: Minimum 2 years’ experience as a teaching assistant or similar role
• Solid understanding of classroom activities and teaching best practices