Wellesley Prep School - Teaching Assistant

Wellesley Prep School Teaching Assistant Job Description

Wellesley Prep School (formerly Daneshill School) is looking to appoint a full time (or possibly Part-Time) Teaching Assistant to support our Pre-Prep team. This is an exciting opportunity to work in this exceptionally friendly and high achieving school as a classroom support teacher.

Start date – January 2024

This broad job description describes the practical purpose and main elements of at TA role at Wellesley Prep. It is a guide to the nature and main duties, but it is not intended as a wholly comprehensive schedule.

Teaching and Learning

• To work closely with class teachers to enable the department to meet the social, behavioural and educational needs of the children.
• To support the department in implementing individual education plans and helping children attain their targets.
• To work closely with classroom teachers to support the learning in the Pre-Prep.
• To conduct playground duties with larger groups of children.
• To promote positive pupil behaviour in line with school policies by the use of praise and encouragement, referring behavioural concerns to the class teacher or Head of Pre-Prep, as appropriate.
• To supervise and support the activities of individuals and groups of children under the direction of the teacher.
• To support children quietly and discretely so children can remain focused on the activity of the moment
• To support reading and change reading books under the direction of the class teacher.
• To feedback any concerns about children or teachers to the appropriate line manager.
• To pass on any parental requests or concerns directly to the class teacher.
• To undertake other reasonable adhoc duties and take part and supervise children in activities and outings from time to time as necessary.

Administrative Duties

• To prepare and present displays of children’s work.
• To carry out duties in line with the normal expectations of a school environment (for example: playground duties, lunch duties )
• Photocopying and other administrative tasks in order to support teaching.
• To undertake professional courses to enhance classroom practice.
• Undertake other reasonable adhoc duties from time to time as necessary.

Standards and Quality Assurance

• Support the aims and ethos of the School.
• To attend meetings and INSET days as required.
• Set a good example in terms of dress, punctuality and attendance.
• Undertake professional duties that may be reasonably assigned by the Class Teacher/Head of Pre-Prep/ Head Teacher.
• Be proactive in matters relating to health and safety.
• Act responsibly under the guidance of the school’s child protection policy in terms of the welfare and protection of the children.

Person Specification Teaching Assistant

Knowledge and Experience

• A good level of education, particularly in English and Mathematics
• A good understanding of the expectations of an independent school setting
• An understanding of children’s development
• Experience of working with children
• A basic knowledge of health and safety requirements in a school environment

Skills and Abilities

• Ability to assist with small groups of children or enhance and develop children’s learning through play based learning.
• Ability to follow instructions or work on own initiative as necessary
• Ability to communicate effectively with parents, carers and other professionals
• Ability to work within the policies of the school
• Ability to work effectively as part of a team
• Ability to establish positive relationships with pupils and empathise with these needs
• Ability to encourage pupils to interact with each other in an appropriate and acceptable manner
• Ability to use language and other communication skills that children can understand and relate to
• Ability to undertake observations of individual pupils and complete lesson records under the direction of the teacher

Personal Qualities

• A commitment to giving children and families the opportunity to reach their full potential
• A commitment to Equal Opportunities
• A willingness to participate in further training and developmental opportunities offered by the school, to further knowledge
• A commitment to continuing professional development

Desirable Criteria

• At least an NVQ 3 preferably with experience in a school setting
• Experience of working in a childcare setting
• Basic knowledge of Pediatric First Aid
• Basic knowledge of Information Technology