Teaching Assistant - SEND
(Access Arrangements Assessor)
TLT Scale: Grade G, Point 8-13
Full time equivalent: £26,823.75 - £29,064.22 (Actual salary: £19,953.68 - £21,620.33)
32 hours per week over 38 weeks during the school term, plus 5 staff training days per annum
Do you have the skills and knowledge to join an incredible team of staff and students?
Are you interested in joining a team that truly looks after your well-being?
Do you want to work in a school with personalised continued professional development, focused on helping you make the next step in your career?
Rushden Academy is a truly special place to work. Recognised as a ‘Good’ school in all five areas by Ofsted, Team Rushden comprises a supportive, dedicated and committed body of staff, as well as an incredible group of students who are extremely grateful for the education they receive. We are proud of the community we serve and the sky is the limit for the students within our care.
Our latest Ofsted report recognised the strength of our team stating “All members of this school community are a part of what is commonly known as ‘Team Rushden’. This team encompasses a caring ethos, shared values and high expectations, which exude throughout the school. Pupils feel safe and happy in this environment.”
Rushden Academy is part of a highly successful trust called Tove Learning Trust (TLT). We are very well supported by TLT, we have excellent networks across the trust for collaboration purposes and staff can access a range of training programmes both within school and across the trust.
We share our sixth form; this provision is called The Huxlow and Rushden Sixth Form. We are fortunate to have a special relationship with a local secondary school, sharing our expertise not only at KS5 but also at KS4 with cross moderation and quality assurance systems.
We are looking for an exceptional Teaching Assistant SEND who will work closely with our SENDCO, teachers and families to deliver personalised interventions and tailored support, ensuring every student with SEND can access the curriculum and reach their goals.
The successful candidate will receive unrivalled support, excellent continuing professional development and lots of opportunities for career development.
If you feel you could make a significant contribution to Team Rushden then we would very much welcome your letter of application together with a completed application form.
Deadline for applications: Ongoing
Please note - the application deadline may close earlier if the level of interest is high.
For further information please see our website, Facebook page, X and Instagram feed.
Rushden Academy is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. All applicants will be subject to a full Disclosure and Barring Service check before appointment is confirmed.
Job Description
Teaching Assistant - SEND (Access Arrangements Assessor)
Working Hours: 32 hours per week
Working weeks: 38 weeks per year during the school term, plus 5 staff training days per annum
Salary/Grade: TLT Pay Policy Grade G , Point 8-13 £26,823.75 - £29,064.22 (Actual salary: £19,953.68 - £21,620.33)
PURPOSE OF THE JOB
To work under the instruction/guidance of teaching/senior staff to undertake work/care/support programs. To enable access to learning for pupils and to assist the teacher in the management of pupils and the classroom. Work may be carried out in the classroom or outside the main teaching area for short periods of time.
MAIN DUTIES:
Access Arrangements
- Conduct access arrangements assessments for pupils in accordance with JCQ/awarding body regulations
- Administer approved tests (such as cognitive assessments and reading/writing tests) to identify eligibility for access arrangements
- Liaise with exam officers, SENCo, and other relevant staff to ensure effective communication and implementation of access arrangements
- Maintain confidentiality and accurate records throughout the assessment process
- Complete and submit paperwork and evidence required by exam boards
- Train and advise staff on the implementation of reasonable adjustments for pupils
- Ensure all work complies with JCQ and awarding body regulations
- Keep up to date with relevant guidance, policies, and best practice in access arrangements
Support for Pupils
- Supervise and provide particular support for pupils, including those with special needs, ensuring their safety and access to learning activities.
- Establish constructive relationships with pupils and interact with them according to individual needs.
- Promote the inclusion and acceptance of all pupils.
- Encourage pupils to interact with others and engage in activities led by the teacher.
- Set challenging and demanding expectations and promote self-esteem and independence.
- Provide feedback to pupils in relation to progress and achievement under the guidance of the teacher.
- Deliver pastoral and learning support.
- Read with individual pupils and groups
- Under the direction of the teacher, work with small groups of pupils and take responsibility for their learning.
Support for the Teacher
- Create and maintain a purposeful, orderly and supportive environment and assist with the display.
- Use strategies, in liaison with the teacher, to support pupils to achieve their targets.
- Assist with the planning of learning activities.
- Monitor pupils’ responses to learning activities and accurately record achievement/progress as directed.
- Provide detailed and regular feedback to teachers on pupils’ achievement, progress, problems etc.
- Promote good pupil behaviour, dealing promptly with conflict and incidents in line with established policy and encourage pupils to take responsibility for their own behaviour.
- Establish and maintain constructive relationships with parents/carers by supporting their role in pupils’ learning, providing constructive feedback on pupils’ progress and achievements and facilitate in improving pupil’s attendance;
- Support home to school/community links.
- Administer routine tests and invigilate exams and undertake routine marking of pupils’ work.
- Provide clerical/admin, support e.g. photocopying, typing, filing, money, administer coursework etc.
- Work within an agreed system of supervision with small groups of pupils and take responsibility for their learning.
- Work in partnership with the teacher to support the school induction programme. This may include contributing to parents evening as appropriate.
Support for the curriculum
- Undertake structured and agreed learning activities/teaching programmes, adjusting activities according to pupil responses.
- Undertake programmes linked to local and national learning strategies e.g. literacy, numeracy, KS3, early years and record achievement and progress and feed back to the teacher.
- Support the use of ICT in learning activities and develop pupils’ competence and independence in its use.
- Prepare, maintain and use equipment/resources as required to meet the lesson plans/relevant learning activity and assist pupils in their use.
Support for the school
- Be aware of and comply with policies and procedures relating to child protection, health, safety, security, confidentiality and data protection, reporting all concerns to an appropriate person.
- Be aware of and support differences and ensure all pupils have equal access to opportunities to learn and develop.
- Contribute to the overall ethos of Team Rushden
- Appreciate and support the role of other professionals.
- Attend and participate in relevant meetings as required.
- Participate in training and other learning activities and performance development as required.
- Assist with the supervision of pupils out of lesson times, including before and after school and at lunchtime.
- Accompany teaching staff and pupils on visits, trips and out of school activities as required and take responsibility for a group under the supervision of the teacher. Assist in the general care of the school environment by undertaking tidying of general areas.
- Promote equal opportunities at all times.
- Establish constructive relationships and communicate with other agencies/professionals, in liaison with the teacher, to support achievement and progress of pupils.
- Recognise your own strengths and areas of specialist expertise and use these to lead, advise and support others.
Other
- Any other duties required by the class teacher, Vice Principal, or the Principal, which is in the scope of the post.
- This is a description of the main duties and responsibilities of the post at the date of production. The duties may change over time as requirements and circumstances change.
- To work within and encourage the school’s Equal Opportunity policy and contribute to diversity policies.
- You must promote and safeguard the welfare of pupils, young and vulnerable people that you are responsible for or come into contact with.
- Take part in the school’s Cultivating Excellence programme.
Whilst every effort has been made to explain the main duties and responsibilities of the post, each individual task undertaken may not be identified.
Rushden Academy is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. All applicants will be subject to a full Disclosure and Barring Service check before appointment is confirmed.
Pay: £19,953.68-£21,620.33 per year
Work Location: In person
