Specialist Teaching and Learning Assistant

Brackenfield School is an area special school for the South of Derbyshire, providing an exciting and relevant education for young people with complex needs including communication and comprehension difficulties.

The Head Teacher and Governors wish to appoint a full-time Specialist Teaching and Learning Assistant (STLA) to support young people aged 3 to 16, ranging in ability from pre formal to formal learners (equivalent range from previous Pscale P3i to end of Y2- KS1 expectations). We deliver appropriate accredited learning at KS4 to all levels of learner. The expected start date will be ASAP.

All of our young people have complex learning needs. We have a specific focus on pupils with complex communication and comprehension needs and those with significant visual and auditory impairments.

Pupils in Brackenfield school are not chronologically age grouped and instead are grouped by their cognitive, social, communication and sensory needs. We are looking for someone to join our highly skilled team, who can build excellent relationships with our children and is committed to high standards in the classroom as part of a highly motivated and hardworking team. You should have knowledge and understanding of the National Curriculum and early childhood development. You will be required to demonstrate good verbal and written communication skills and a range of behaviour management strategies along with a commitment to positive reinforcement, reward and praise. Successful applicants will need an understanding of the issues and support strategies relating to children with complex special educational needs.

The successful applicant will promote the school ethos through high levels of expectation, being an adaptable team player, promoting growth mindset through recognition of character education and be able to encourage pupil independence. In specific we are looking for applicants who have experience in working with children with communication and cognition difficulties. A knowledge of strategies to support such as Makaton and symbols would be desirable. A knowledge of sensory processing difficulties and support of visually impaired pupils and use of braille is also desirable.

Please see our website for further information. Please email hr@brackenfield.derbyshire.sch.uk or ring 0115 9733710 if you would like a tour of the school before applying.

Pre-Interview: 14 March 2024

Provisional Interview Date: 19 March 2024

Due to this post having access to children and/or vulnerable adults, the successful candidate will be required to undertake a Disclosure and Barring Service check. The possession of a criminal record will not necessarily prevent an applicant from obtaining this post, as all cases are judged individually according to the nature of the role and information provided. Click here to see our policy on criminal background checks.