Primary Teaching Assistant (Learning Coach)

Contract type: Full Time, term time only (39 + 2 weeks)

Contract term: Permanent, subject to an enhanced DBS check (part time and job share opportunities possible)

School 360 opened its doors in September 2021 and is already beginning to embed a new and innovative model of education. The school offers pupils a holistic education of the head, heart and hand. We pay attention to each learner as a rounded human being, their happiness and self-awareness, their knowledge and understanding, and their skills and experiences. As well as a focus on crucial literacy and maths skills, we develop a range of skills across the curriculum, both creative, scientific and academic. At the heart of our curriculum is a focus on social justice, both locally and globally, enabled through strong partnerships with the community around us and supported through contact with experts in their fields. 

School 360 is a different kind of school and we are looking for people who are committed to exploring new approaches, and experimenting in their work with children. We are a small happy team who look after each other and work collaboratively. We would love you to email us directly or visit the school so that we can get to know you and you have the chance to find out more about the school and the role.

The successful candidate might be an experienced or enthusiastic new Teaching Assistant - we are more interested in your skills, enthusiasm and energy.  

As a member of staff in a new school, you will play an important role in shaping our developing curriculum and to experimenting with our innovative approaches to teaching and learning. You will have opportunities to grow and develop, with a careful professional development and support programme.  

Our aim is for children to develop as rounded human beings, and for them to find their own learning pathways. In order to achieve this, the school focuses on:

Oracy: Supported by the work of Voice 21, a partnership project with Cambridge University, the school teaches pupils how to speak with clarity and conviction, how to listen carefully and engage in productive and powerful conversations. Talk infuses every aspect of the school curriculum, from role play to storytelling, from performances to community listening projects. For us, talk is as important a skill to secure as maths, science, reading and writing skills.

Projects and problem solving: We believe that knowledge is connected and organic, and that the best way to teach this is through exciting projects in which pupils work in collaborative teams alongside outside experts to explore themes that motivate and are relevant to them. Each of these projects has an authentic outcome and a social justice focus, enabling pupils to learn about what matters, and to understand how to effect real change in their school, their community and the world. Projects enable pupils to give and receive feedback on their work, meaning they all produce beautiful work as project outcomes.

Play: We believe that play is not just for playtime. Our learners learn through intelligent structured play in the lower years, and experience playful learning in the upper years. We see play as a vital tool for building relationships, being healthy in body and mind, developing imagination and problem solving skills and encouraging creativity. Much of our playful experiences support pupils to experience life through the eyes of experts in their field, connecting to project themes.

Wellbeing: Our curriculum teaches pupils to be well in mind and body, and to build happy relationships with others within the school and the wider community. We use regular mindfulness practice as an approach to wellbeing, and teach emotional intelligence and collaboration skills. We connect pupils with nature through a Forest Schools approach in our carefully designed outdoor areas, and through the use of natural learning resources. We care about staff wellbeing and work hard to make sure teachers are happy and thrive.

The successful candidate will:

• Be passionate about working with children
• Know how adults can create a culture of high expectations
• Have an understanding of the complex lives some students lead
• Understand child learning processes and development stages
• Have experience of using an observe, plan, teach cycle in an early years classroom setting
• Have experience of communicating and relating well to children in Early Years and/or Year 1 settings
• Know how to organise classroom activities and assist in the development of literacy and mathematics skills within Early Years and Key Stage 1 settings
• Have strong interpersonal, written and oral communication skills
• A belief in the unlimited potential of every student and a commitment to inclusive educational provision
• Ideally have experience supporting children with a diagnosis of autism

ABOUT SCHOOL 360:

• Inclusive primary school in the heart of Stratford, Newham
• Cutting edge pedagogy and curriculum
• Small - only Reception, Year 1, Year 2 and Year 3 in the school in September 2024, expanding year-on-year 
• Close relationships with School 21, an all-through school which is very close by
• A network of curriculum partnerships with creative and academic organisations across the Olympic Park, including London College of Fashion, Bow Arts, UCL, Sadlers Wells, and many more

WE WILL OFFER:

• Outstanding career development possibilities and personalised professional development
• Exciting possibilities for additional responsibilities and new roles as the school grows and expands
• The chance to network with outstanding practitioners and learn from the best across the Big Education family of schools and beyond
• A strong and supportive feedback culture so that staff can develop in areas of their practice that are important to them
• Opportunities to shape the vision and direction of the new school

Closing date: This job ad will close when we have recruited a suitable candidate.

Interviews: Interviews will be arranged as and when suitable applications are received.

For more information, please read the job pack and see: https://bigeducation.org/school360/ or to have a chat about the role email:

hr@school360.org.uk 

To apply please complete the online application form here.

Successful candidates will be notified by email. If you have not heard from within 2 weeks of submitting your application then please assume that you have been unsuccessful.

School 360 is an equal opportunities employer and particularly welcomes applications from ethnic minority communities, especially those that reflect the make-up of the local community. The school is committed to safeguarding children.