The Department
The Junior School is one of the largest, if not the largest Key Stage 2 Independent Junior School in the country. There are 445 pupils from Years 3 to 6 in five classes in each of these four year groups. Our broad and creative curriculum is planned around clear learning objectives for every subject area in each year group. We promote high levels of achievement and effort, ensuring our pupils aim high in all they do. We push the boundaries beyond mere acquisition of knowledge: we want our pupils to develop the confidence to investigate and enquire, to solve problems, and to take personal responsibility for their learning.
In addition to developing children’s academic and creative talents, we have a team of staff dedicated to nurturing our pupils’ wellbeing. To develop a sense of community and belonging from day one at Highgate, our pupils all belong to a form group and one of our four houses. There are over 60 clubs for pupils to choose from in the Junior School, and time is set aside for each pupil to take part in a co-curricular activity of their choice. We encourage social responsibility through our charity work, both locally and further afield.
The Role
The role of Teaching Assistant (One to One) is to provide one to one support for a pupil with Autism Spectrum Condition currently in Year 4. The pupil is a very able individual who has made excellent progress to date. The Teaching Assistant will ensure that the pupil has full access to the delivered curriculum, integrating as fully as possible in the activities generally undertaken by the other pupils in the class. This is a fixed-term post, to the end of the Summer Term in July 2023 in the first instance. However, there is scope for the role to continue on a one year rolling contract until the pupil leaves Year 6.
Main Responsibilities
Teaching and Learning
- Develop a constructive relationship with the pupil, providing one to one support during their academic lessons
- Create and maintain a purposeful, orderly and supportive environment, in accordance with the teacher’s lesson plan and objectives
- Use strategies, in liaison with the Learning Support Department and class teachers, to support the pupil to achieve the learning goals
- Motivate and encourage the pupil to participate in all activities during lessons
- Provide positive reinforcements, praise and rewards
- Provide support, in liaison with the Learning Support Department, if the pupil is unable to remain in any lesson
- Provide detailed and regular feedback to all involved on the pupil’s achievements, progress and any relevant difficulties
- Joining in professional discussions and staff meetings which may be after school
- Accompanying and assisting on School visits and outings as well as in any in-school workshops and events
Pastoral Care
- Taking care of the pupil in the classroom and School buildings; comfort them when they are sick and distressed; assisting them with washing or cleaning when necessary (e.g. after being sick); give individual attention when it is required
- Supporting the pupil at break time, encouraging positive peer relationships; helping the pupil acquire strategies for coping with the playground environment; making sure that they are safe, obeying the playground rules and learning the arts of cooperation and fair play
- Supervising the pupil at lunchtime in the Dining Hall, encouraging healthy eating and good table manners
- Accompanying the pupil as required as they move around the school
- Administering basic first aid should the pupil become unwell or suffer an injury
- Helping the pupil prepare for sport, exercise and swimming lessons, supervising them changing where necessary
The Teaching Assistant (One to One) will form part of a team of Teaching Assistants that are essential to the smooth running of the life of this successful Junior School. Within the Junior School this team is directed by the Learning Support Department and the Director of Studies.
Highgate School supports anonymous recruitment. This means we hide your personal, identifying information to remove bias from the hiring process. We encourage applications from candidates who experience barriers and inequity due to their ethnicity, gender identity, physical or mental health, sexuality, and/or socio-economic background.
Highgate is committed to the safeguarding and welfare of children. Applicants must be willing to undergo child protection screening appropriate to this post, including checks with past employers, overseas police check if necessary and the Disclosure and Barring Service.
Please note that this role is ‘exempt’ from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and therefore, you are required to declare any convictions, cautions, reprimands and final warnings that are not ‘protected’ (i.e. filtered out) as defined by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (as amended in 2013). Shortlisted candidates will be asked to provide details of all unspent convictions and those that would not be filtered, prior to the date of the interview.
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