Teaching Assistant

Harris Primary Academy Merton is looking for a Teaching Assistant to support individuals and groups of children, including those with SEN. The successful candidate will be involved in first aid related matters and have a basic knowledge of SEND and learning barriers.

The actual salary for this role will be £26,136.15-£26,509.45 (38 weeks per year, 37.5 hours per week).

About Us

We opened in 2014 as a local school for children aged two to eleven. We have a Nursery for 60 children and are a 2 form entry school for children in Pre School through to Year 6. We also have an additional resource base for 22 children who are diagnosed with Autism. Our belief is that children thrive when they are consistently happy and safe at school and that through expert teaching and support all pupils can achieve to a high standard. As a part of the Harris Federation, we share best teaching practice with other Harris Academies and continue to build on the Harris Federation's proven track record in the borough: with two successful and oversubscribed Harris Secondary Academies, Harris Academy Merton and Harris Academy Morden.

Our aim at Harris Primary Academy Merton is to make sure that our pupils leave us thoroughly prepared for secondary school and feeling that they have succeeded both academically and in the extracurricular aspects of Academy life.

We want all of our children to have a truly enjoyable experience at school. Our pupils' achievements are celebrated every day in their lessons and we are proud that they are kind, caring, self-assured and eager to learn.

We opened in 2014 as a local school for children aged two to eleven. We have a Nursery for 60 children and are a 2 form entry school for children in Pre School through to Year 6. We also have an additional resource base for 22 children who are diagnosed with Autism. Our belief is that children thrive when they are consistently happy and safe at school and that through expert teaching and support all pupils can achieve to a high standard. As a part of the Harris Federation, we share best teaching practice with other Harris Academies and continue to build on the Harris Federation's proven track record in the borough: with two successful and oversubscribed Harris Secondary Academies, Harris Academy Merton and Harris Academy Morden. Our aim at Harris Primary Academy Merton is to make sure that our pupils leave us thoroughly prepared for secondary school and feeling that they have succeeded both academically and in the extracurricular aspects of Academy life. We want all of our children to have a truly enjoyable experience at school. Our pupils' achievements are celebrated every day in their lessons and we are proud that they are kind, caring, self-assured and eager to learn.

Main Areas of Responsibility

Your role will include:

• Supervising and supporting identified children, in 1:1, group or whole class situations, ensuring their safety and access to learning
• Assisting in the development of appropriate resources, schemes of work and teaching strategies
• Assisting in evaluating identified children's progress
• Providing detailed and regular feedback to teachers on children's achievement, progress and needs
• Leading small group sessions and interventions
• Attending to children's personal needs where required, including social, health, physical, hygiene, first aid and welfare matters
• Supporting with behaviour management
• Contributing towards a purposeful and supportive learning environment.
• Undertaking structured and agreed learning activities/teaching programmes, adjusting activities to ensure achievement of learning goals
• Assisting with the supervision of children out of lesson times, such as playtime and lunchtime duty
• Establishing good relationships with children, acting as a role model
• Promoting the inclusion and acceptance of all children, supporting difference and ensuring that all have equal access to opportunities to learn and develop
• Supporting children with their learning and development in areas such as literacy, numeracy, Key Stage and/or subject specific
• Encouraging children to interact with others and engage in activities
• Preparing and clearing the classroom assisting with the display of children's work
• Preparing and maintaining equipment and resources and supporting children in their use
• Undertaking record keeping
• Establishing and maintaining positive relationships with parents/carers
• Providing general administrative support

Qualifications & Experience

We would like to hear from you if you have:

• Qualifications to degree level or equivalent
• Basic knowledge of SEND and learning barriers
• Some knowledge of strategies in working with young people with challenging behaviours
• Knowledge of some of the social issues facing students from disadvantaged backgrounds
• Awareness of Health and Safety issues in the workplace.
• Experience of working directly with young people in an education or training environment, supporting the learning of students.
• Experience of establishing and maintaining positive working relationships with a range of stakeholders, at all levels.
• Experience of managing and being responsible for own workload.

For a full job description and person specification, please download the Job Pack.

Professional Development & Benefits

Our people are at the heart of our success. We have developed a strong culture of collaboration and best practice, with professional development and career planning at its centre. We invest in our staff with support, coaching, mentoring, and a wide range of top-quality training programmes delivered at every level.

In addition to the opportunities for career development and progression, we also offer a competitive rewards and benefits package which includes our Harris Allowance for teachers on MPS/UPS, an Annual Loyalty Bonus, Pension Scheme with generous employer contributions, a Wellbeing Cash Plan and many other benefits. Learn more about our benefits on our website.

Safeguarding Notice

The Harris Federation and all our academies are committed to ensuring the highest levels of safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people, and we expect all our staff and volunteers to share this commitment. All offers of employment are subject to an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check, references, an online search, and where applicable, a prohibition from teaching check will be completed.

Equal Opportunities

The Harris Federation is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applications from all suitably qualified candidates.

We value the diversity of our staff and students, and everyone at the Harris Federation is equally valued and respected. We aim to be an inclusive employer that reflects the communities we serve. We are committed to providing a fair, equitable and mutually supportive learning and working environment.

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Diversity and equality notice

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