Educational Teaching Assistant (Additional Resourced Provision) - Royds Hall, A SHARE Academy

Kirklees Council are advertising this role on behalf of Royds Hall, A SHARE Academy

About us

Royds Hall is a small secondary school that achieved a Progress 8 score of 0.2 in 2023. We enjoy strong behaviour for learning and a curriculum that is ambitious for all and well sequenced. Staff wellbeing is central to our vision of ‘valuing people, supporting personal best’. Visitors and staff regularly share that the school is warm and supportive with high expectations for all. 
We also offer pupils a wealth of extended learning opportunities from; Royds Hall Scholars, Duke of Edinburgh, debating society, Steam Lab to knitting for fun. The PE department support our pupils to represent the school in a wide range of sports including Basketball, Netball and Athletics. We take part in the annual Speakers’ Trust event and have been successful in reaching the final in recent years. Pupils gain from a wealth of opportunities offered including leadership opportunities in every year group. In 2023, 100% of pupils took part in an extended learning opportunity. A strong belief exists that offering a wide range of extended learning opportunities ignites pupil interests and allows them uncover skills and abilities that support their sense of achievement and happiness in school and into adulthood. We believe that every child can succeed and it is our privilege to provide them the opportunities to identify their talents and their future dreams and aspirations.
“We are delighted to officially announce that the inspection team rated Royds Hall a Share Academy as a ‘Good’ school. We are exceptionally proud of what our staff and pupils have achieved in the last five years. Whilst the outcome doesn’t change the way we work, it provides further evidence of the very positive journey of improvement we are on. We will continue to focus on what matters for our pupils and community and ensure that our pupils leave school fully equipped with the life skills, experiences and educational outcomes to enjoy a happy and successful future.” – May 2023
Royds Hall is a wonderful place to work, where you will have the opportunity to make a difference every single day.

Job Description

1. This post is based in the Additionally Resourced Provision (ARP) within Royds Hall, which provides support for children with complex communication and interaction needs, their families and designated local mainstream schools. This Additionally Resourced Provision is part of a range of provisions for children with complex communication and interaction difficulties including those with autistic spectrum conditions. 
2. The postholder is required to work as part of a specialist team including teachers, support staff and a range of other professionals to support the learning and welfare of all targeted children and where appropriate ensure smooth transition of children to their designated local school.  
3. As a specialist Teaching Assistant in the ARP, you will be required to provide skilled delivery and support which increases student independence under the direction of the teacher in charge and classroom teachers. 
4. This role includes organising and providing learning and educational activities, developing skills, supporting integration and transition, securing children’s physical and emotional well-being, whilst raising self-esteem and encouraging independence.  
5. The role will involve delivering support for children with complex needs on a one to one and small group basis either in or out of the classroom or in ARP. The post also involves working in partnership with parents/carers and families in order to build confidence and trust.  
6. Under the guidance of the Teacher in charge of ARP provide one to one support to students or working with groups of students on pre-planned activities, to reinforce the teachers approach and to support the learning to maximise student progress and achievements. 
7. To work alongside pastoral teams to provide support to achieve positive outcomes and meet the needs of children, their families and school.  
8. To support colleagues in school, as appropriate, in developing effective support strategies, reduce barriers to learning and in the implementation of additional needs and other plans to meet students needs. 
9. To implement appropriate communication and access arrangements and to enable access to learning.  
10. To implement relevant and appropriate Autistic Spectrum Condition support processes under the direction of the teacher, or advanced Teaching Assistant.  
11. To use the latest materials, resources and approaches, under the direction of the teacher, or advanced Teaching Assistant, in order to best meet the needs of children with Autistic Spectrum Condition.  
12. To assist with the preparation and tidying of the classroom and upkeep of resources.  13. To participate in and assist in the supervision of educational visits in conjunction with the teacher/line manager. 
14. To build strong working relationships with teachers and other departments. 
15. Actively encourage the inclusion of all students to participate in the life and activities of the school and access the national curriculum to the best of their ability. 
16. Liaise with curriculum departments, pastoral and provision team staff to help the teacher ensure the needs of all students are met fully. 
17. Ensure key staff and parents/carers are informed of progress and developments through regular feedback and updates. 
18. Maintain regular, positive contact with staff, students and parents involved in the ARP. 19. Proactive liaison with Additionally Resourced Provision colleagues and teachers to help the students make strong progress overtime. 
20. Contribute to reports in relation to student progress and assist in the preparation of Pupil Profiles, Support Plan, IEP’s, and EHC Plans as required. 
21. Contribute towards relevant referrals to outside agencies to access support for students. 22. Seek feedback about own performance and the quality of support offered. 
23. To provide cover for break and lunchtime as directed by the teacher in charge or senior members of staff, ensuring the post holder actively upholds and promotes the philosophies of the school. 
24. Undertake professional development to ensure own knowledge is up to date and to develop professionally.  
25. As part of your wider duties and responsibilities you are required to promote and actively support the school’s responsibilities towards Safeguarding. Safeguarding is about keeping people safe and protecting people from harm, neglect, abuse and injury.  It is about creating safe places, being vigilant and doing something about any concerns you might have.  26. Carry out your duties with due regard to current and future School policies, procedures and relevant legislation.  These will be drawn to your attention in your appointment letter, your statement of particulars, induction, and on-going performance development and through College communications. 
27. To ensure that ARP students are fully included in all aspects of school life. 

Benefits

The trust offers a wide range of benefits including employee assistance programmes catering for the individual wellbeing needs of staff, wellbeing champions and designated wellbeing resources for staff. flexible working opportunities (where practical), occupational sick pay, maternity, paternity, adoption & shared parental leave, competitive pension schemes with the opportunity for shared cost AVCs, money saving ‘salary sacrifice’ cycle scheme and tech scheme.

Desired Criteria

• Experience of working closely with families. 
• Experience in developing effective classroom practice with other staff.
• Knowledge of special educational needs, inclusion and equality procedures, legislation and relevant guidance. 
• Working knowledge or understanding of relevant policies and codes of practice (including EHCPS, IEPs, Pupil Passports etc)
• Specific skills/experience in a relevant strand e.g. TEACCH. 
• Sharing best practice with other members of the ARP team and wider school staff.
• Ability to monitor and evaluate impact of interventions and strategies.
• Excellent behaviour management skills.

Essential Criteria

• Mainstream and/or special school support experience in relevant key stage(s).
• Experience of working with children with complex needs, in particular Autistic Spectrum Condition
• Educated to GCSE level ‘C’ or equivalent including English and Maths, or be able to demonstrate equivalent experience to that level. 
• Willingness to undertake further training and qualifications. 
• Knowledge of safeguarding procedures.
• Excellent communication skills.
• Ability to maintain accurate records and liaise with a range of staff grades.
• Communicate effectively with a range of staff grades to encourage good working relationships internally and externally. 
• Managing your own work load effectively to achieve agreed levels of performance.
• Ability to prepare differentiated materials and teaching aids suitable for learning activities.
• Commitment to ongoing personal training and development.
• Ability to adapt and be flexible to the needs of the school. 
• Willing to undertake training and development as required.

For full advert details and the application pack go to Educational Teaching Assistant (Additional Resourced Provision)