SEN Learning Support Assistant

SEN Learning Support Assistant (31.25 hours per week)

St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School is a one form entry Catholic Primary School in Fishponds, Bristol. St Joseph's is a successful school, with an excellent reputation, because we recognise that happiness and learning go hand in hand.

It is our aim that every child enjoys their individual learning journey, supported by our culture of nurture and care, enabling them to be successful. We relish and embrace the opportunities and challenges of the modern world whilst fostering traditional attitudes of courtesy, thoughtfulness and responsibility.

We are looking to appoint a 1 to 1 Teaching  Assistant for September 2024 to join our highly motivated, dedicated team on a fixed term contract until 31st August 2025.  The successful candidate will have both experience of working with SEND and attachment issues. They will have up to date knowledge of appropriate strategies that can be used to support a child or a willingness to undergo training. The role is for 31.25 hours per week. Monday to Friday, 8.45am - 3.30 pm with a half an hour unpaid lunch break. Pay will be between Bristol Grade (BG) 6 to 8 depending on experience.

The ideal candidate will need to:

• have experience working with primary age children particularly EYFS.
• have a good knowledge of the EYFS curriculum, assessment process and experience of observing children’s learning.
• help pupils to access the full EYFS curriculum, at the same time promoting independent learning both inside and outside as well as self-reliance and interdependence.
• Experience supporting the social and emotional development of the children and young people they are working with (e.g. Thrive trained)
• have a good understanding of phonics and experience of or be willing to learn Read Write Inc (RWI).
• support individual children and groups, under the direction of the class teacher introducing activities and using a range of strategies to support all children in their learning.
• observe pupils' performance and engagement, using the systems in place in the class to provide the teacher with feedback on pupil progress and learning.
• help to maintain individual and group records where asked to by the class teacher.
• contribute to the planning and evaluation of learning activities for individuals and groups.
• help prepare and maintain an engaging, purposeful, orderly and supportive environment for learning both inside and outside.
• have excellent communication skills and an understanding of speech and language development
• have high expectations for pupil learning, personal development and behaviour
• be able to work effectively as a team and develop working relationships with all members of the school community
• above all be kind, caring and enthusiastic
• have experience of using different communication systems eg. makaton, PECs
• capacity to work with external agencies to support pupils' identified learning needs

In return for your hard work we offer:

• highly motivated and well behaved pupils
• the support of an experienced and dedicated team
• a caring Christian ethos
• a commitment to professional development for all staff
• a modern, well-resourced environment
• a Pension Scheme and access to a cycle to work scheme
• a paid for DBS check

Closing date for applications: 9.00am on Monday 3rd June 2024
Interviews to be held: Week beginning 10th June 2024

An enhanced DBS check is required for the successful applicant.