Teaching Assistant

Teaching Assistant- part time

St John’s College School is seeking a part-time (two days a week) Teaching Assistant for one year to start in September/October 2024. This post involves supporting a number of different lessons based in the Reception year group. The teaching in Reception is predominantly play-based and child-initiated learning so the Assistant will be need to enjoy playing with young children, engaging them in learning through play, as much as teaching through adult-led activities.

The post of Teaching Assistant within the Junior Department (aged 4-9) at Byron House is a varied, demanding and rewarding one. The duties involved range from the more mundane to activities which include a high level of responsibility for the welfare and education of the children. 

The Role of the Teaching Assistant  

It is, of course, impossible to list all the duties of a Teaching Assistant but they include:

·        To reinforce the teaching objectives to a small group of children under the direction of the teacher in order to provide differentiation within the classroom.

·        To assist the teacher in the provision of a full range of stimulating activities for children in a class and/or group.

·        To work with the teacher in setting up practical learning situations in, for example, DT, Mathematics, Art and Craft.

·        To encourage the development of language, speech and conversation particularly of those children identified by the Teacher as having a particular need.

·        To spend certain amounts of time in or out of the classroom with specified groups to provide support in the development of speaking and listening, reading, writing and Maths.

·        To carry out an objective from a child’s individual plan.

·        To hear children read and reinforce reading skills, keeping records of children’s progress in reading and updating progress on the book bands scheme.

·        To assist in promoting the physical, intellectual, emotional and social development of all the children.

·        To supervise children in the temporary absence of the class teacher.

·        To observe children's play and behavior and reporting significant facts to the teacher.

·        To assist the teacher in establishing good relationships with parents.

·        To attend staff meetings and year group meetings where appropriate, to share information about children's progress and the planning of activities.

·        To attend relevant courses and in-service for career enhancement.

·        To prepare materials for lessons and displays.

·        To ensure that classroom equipment and other school property are maintained in good order.

·        To undertake simple routine repairs.

·        To assist children with toileting, changing clothes and clearing up as necessary.

·        To ensure cloakroom areas are kept tidy.

·        To prepare classrooms for lessons, including setting out and tidying away equipment and materials required in the programme at the beginning and end of each day, where applicable

·        To help to prepare and tidy up the classrooms before the start and at the end of each term.

·        To supervise at break and lunch times under a designated role to ensure a happy playtime.

·        To cover staff duties in the event of absences, as directed by Administration Manager or other senior leaders

·        To support children in learning through play by observing, interacting and playing alongside them

·        To undertake any routine duties or activities, over and above those described, deemed appropriate by the form teacher or Head of the Junior Department.

Terms of Employment

 Hours

 The post is term time only. The school is in session for 34 weeks per year, in addition to which staff are expected to be available, as required, for two days before and two days after each term to prepare for and ‘tidy up’ after the term, and to attend any pre-term training days. The part time working week is from 8am to 3.45pm on Thursdays and Fridays.

 There are, occasionally, times when an assistant may be asked to work outside the above stated hours without further remuneration, e.g. being available for staff meetings or training after school or for the (very) occasional Saturday morning or weekday afternoon for e.g. open days, sports days, twilight training or visits of prospective pupils.

Salary

 The actual annual salary is £8597.92.  The salary is reviewed annually and adjusted in September.  The next salary review will be in September 2025.

Applications

 A handwritten letter of application should be sent with a fully completed application form (see ‘Application and Recruitment Process Explanatory Notes’) to the HR Officer, St John's College School, 75 Grange Road, Cambridge CB3 9AA. (recruitment@sjcs.co.uk)  

A long list of candidates will be drawn up, from which a short-list will be invited to attend the school for the final interview procedure, which will involve tours of the school, meetings with various members of staff and the final interview itself, which will include questions in relation to Safeguarding.

All reasonable interview expenses will be reimbursed by the School. 

Any offer of employment is conditional upon the satisfactory completion of all of the regulatory pre-employment checks, which must be concluded prior to your first day at St John’s

St John’s College School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children.

Applicants must be willing to undergo child protection screening appropriate to the post, including checks with past employers and the Disclosure and Barring Service.

All appointments are subject to a criminal background check and proof of qualifications in accordance with the requirements of the Children Act.