Higher level teaching assistant (HLTA - Chinese speaker)

Star International School Mirdif, is a rapidly growing British curriculum school in Dubai. We are an ambitious school that aspires to be the very best version of ourselves, and for those who join us, we would help them do the same. We seek individuals who want to make a difference in the world, seeing themselves as lifelong learners, committed to putting children at the heart of everything they do. We want educators who align closely with our vision, mission and values. If you feel you can champion these, then please apply to join the Star Mirdif family for January 2025.

·       Vision: To grow the future leaders and global citizens of tomorrow, who will Go Beyond and change our world for the better.

·       Mission: Through amazing learning opportunities and personalised pathways, our educators and students Go Beyond to ensure every member of our Star Family achieves their personal best both inside and beyond the classroom

·       Values: Self-belief, teamwork, adventure, respect

Star International School Mirdif is a community school that is rooted in kindness and amazing learning. We offer our pupils:

·       Centre of research informed T&L

·       EdTech best practice with AI powered T&L

·       Awe & Wonder offering beyond the National curriculum

·       STEAM+ curriculum focusing on global and cosmic problems

·       Safe with incredible learning behaviours

·       EYFS-Post-16 (GCSE/A-Level/BTEC) British curriculum school in the heart of Mirdif Dubai

ISP Principles

·      Begin with our children and students. Our children and students are at the heart of what we do. Simply, their success is our success. Wellbeing and safety are both essential for learners and learning. Therefore, we are consistent in identifying potential safeguarding issues and acting and following up on all concerns appropriately.

·      Treat everyone with care and respect. We look after one another, embrace similarities and differences and promote the well-being of self and others.

·      Operate effectively. We focus relentlessly on the things that are most important and will make the most difference. We apply school policies and procedures and embody the shared ideas of our community.

·      Learn continuously. Getting better is what drives us. We positively engage with personal and professional development and school improvement.

Key Responsibilities:

·      Classroom Support: Work alongside teachers to deliver engaging, high-quality learning experiences tailored to students' educational needs, ensuring that all children can achieve their full potential and access the curriculum.

·      EAL Support: Support the language development of students who are learning English as an Additional Language, providing targeted interventions to accelerate progress in language acquisition.

·      Small Group & Individual Interventions: Lead small groups or one-on-one sessions to support children in both academic and social-emotional development, ensuring learning barriers are addressed.

·      Collaborative Planning: Assist in planning, assessing, and monitoring the progress of students, utilising a deep understanding of the curriculum and pedagogical strategies to ensure differentiated support.

·      Cover & Flexibility: Provide cover as required for those within your team, delivering sessions in line with the teacher’s / LSA’s plans while maintaining high standards of student engagement and behaviour management.

·      Interventions & Impact: Deliver high-quality, targeted interventions for identified students, focusing on improving their academic achievement, language skills, and overall development.

·      Safeguarding: Uphold the school’s safeguarding policies and procedures, ensuring that students are listened to, respected, and involved in decisions about their education.

Person Specification:

Essential:

·      Bachelor’s degree in related field

·      Excellent English language and communication skills

·      Fluent in Chinese

·      Punctual

·      Proactive to anticipate student needs, take initiative in implementing language support strategies, and actively contribute ideas to enhance the learning experience.

·      Experience working in a school setting.

·      Strong understanding of supporting EAL learners, including delivering interventions that boost language development.

·      Ability to collaborate with teachers to create a supportive and inclusive learning environment.

·      Proven experience in working with small groups and leading class sessions independently.

·      Calm, resilient, and proactive approach, with a commitment to helping every child reach their potential.

·      Strong communication skills with the ability to engage children, staff, and parents.

·      Flexible, with a willingness to adapt to changing school needs and cover classes when required.

Desirable:

·      Experience working in a diverse school community.

·      Knowledge of assessment strategies for tracking EAL learners’ progress.

·      Familiarity with a wide range of educational interventions and strategies for both academic and social-emotional needs.

·      Experience working in a support capacity in an International British school

Commitment to Safeguarding Principles

Star International school and ISP are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. All post holders are subject to appropriate vetting procedures and satisfactory Criminal Background Checks or equivalent covering the previous 10 years’ employment history.

Commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging

Star International school and ISP is committed to strengthening our inclusive culture by identifying, hiring, developing, and retaining high-performing teammates regardless of age, disability status, socio-economic background or other demographic characteristics. Candidates who share our vision and principles and are interested in contributing to the success of ISP through this role are strongly encouraged to apply.