Learning Support Assistant ( Mary Astell Academy)
Ref: SCH-PLT-0017Additional Information
Contract Type: Fixed Term Contract Term: TTO Plus - Term time only plus weeks Hours per Week: 37.00 Weeks per Year: 44.650 Pay Grade: N4 SCP 7 - 9The Role
Mary Astell Academy is an alternative provision academy established in September 2018. Based in the West End of Newcastle, the academy works with young people aged 11 to 16 who have been permanently excluded from mainstream education. We provide access to a full-time, broad and balanced education appropriate to pupils’ potential and educational needs and encourage their reintegration back into a mainstream school setting wherever possible.
Our young people are also able to access a wide range of therapeutic interventions to support them in recognising and understanding triggers for their behaviours and explore strategies that support them in dealing with these. We recognise that ACEs and traumatic experiences have often impacted upon the lives of our young people and that for many of them not only have they survived but have shown great strength in doing so. At Mary Astell we seek to restore them and help individuals return to a path towards happy and fulfilling adult lives.
Do you have a passion for teaching and learning? Do you have experience or interest in working with pupils with social, emotional, and mental health challenges? Do you want to join a friendly and supportive team of staff?
If you answered yes to these questions, then you might be the ideal candidate for the Learning Support position at Mary Astell Academy.
As a Learning Support Assistant , you will work closely with the class teacher and the SENCO to support the delivery of high quality teaching and learning for our pupils. You will help them to overcome barriers to learning, develop their social and emotional skills, and achieve their full potential. You will also contribute to the development of a positive and inclusive learning environment that meets the needs of all our pupils.
Prosper Learning Trust was established in January 2018 with Newcastle Bridges School and Mary Astell Academy. Thomas Bewick School joined in 2019, Harry Watts opened in September 2020 and Gilbert Ward Academy will open in 2023. We are striving to further build collaboration across the schools and grow as a Multi Academy Trust, whilst continuing to strengthen our relationships with schools outside the MAT for the benefit of our pupils.
The successful candidate will be deployed initially at Mary Astell Academy but will be expected to work at any Prosper Learning Trust site should the need arise.
The Trust is proud to say that we match the Real Living Wage and we also offer successful candidates:
· A friendly and supportive team of staff who are willing to share expertise and learn from one another
· Opportunities for career development and support with development through Trust wide CPD programmes
· Access to an Employee Assistance Programme and support from the Trust's Wellbeing Network Group
· Access to either Teacher's Pension or Local Government Pension Scheme
Full details can be found on our website. https://www.prosperlearningtrust.co.uk/121/why-work-for-us
To learn more about Mary Astell Academy and Prosper Learning Trust, please visit www.prosperlearningtrust.co.uk
If you would like to discuss the post before applying contact, Michael Pearson, Behaviour Student and Transition Lead at Mary Astell Academy on 0191 267 4447 to arrange an informal chat.
Please note that all successful candidates will be required to complete an online pre-employment medical questionnaire.
Benefits
| Other | |
|---|---|
| Pro Rata Salary | £19,207 to £19,916 |
Qualifications
| Qualification Title | Grade | |
|---|---|---|
| GCSE Maths and English grade 4-9 (A-C) or equivalent |
Desirable
|
|
| TA2 qualification or equivalent or relevant experience |
Essential
|
Skills
| Abilities, Skills and Knowledge | |
|---|---|
| Excellent Classroom Practitioner |
Essential
|
| Ability to provide care and welfare to pupils including the administration of medication (when trained and competency achieved), toilet and other care needs. |
Essential
|
| A clear understanding of the Special Needs Assistant's role |
Essential
|
| Good verbal and written communication skills. |
Essential
|
| An understanding of assessment, recording and reporting processes. |
Essential
|
| A clear vision of how the role can be used to ensure pupil progression and effective delivery of their learning |
Essential
|
| Ability to support the teaching of pupils with learning difficulties |
Essential
|
| Understanding of the curriculum guidance of the National Curriculum. |
Desirable
|
| Special Requirements | |
| Prepared to undertake ongoing professional development. |
Essential
|
| Willingness to participate in out of school activities. |
Essential
|
| Relevant Experience | |
| Experience of supporting pupils with autism. |
Desirable
|
| Qualifications | |
| MIDAS |
Desirable
|
| Level 2 DfE recognised Teaching Assistant, Special Needs Assistant, EYFS or Childcare qualification OR Level 3 (or higher) qualification in any field with experience of working in a classroom. |
Essential
|
| Further professional development in special educational needs. |
Desirable
|
| Experience | |
| Experience of assisting in the teaching of National Curriculum to pupils with learning difficulties. |
Essential
|
| Personal Attributes | |
| Ability to form and maintain appropriate relationships and personal boundaries with children and young people with learning difficulties. |
Essential
|
| Ability to find creative answers to problems. |
Desirable
|
| Ability to manage change and prioritise competing deadlines |
Essential
|
| Relevant Skills | |
| Clean current driving licence |
Desirable
|
| Experience/Knowledge | |
| An understanding of the educational environment and teaching of pupils with learning difficulties. |
Essential
|
Related Documents
Safeguarding Information
Prosper Learning Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people, as well as vulnerable adults, and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Successful applicants will be required to apply for Disclosure from the DBS.
The Trust actively promotes equality of opportunity with the right mix of talent, skills and potential and welcomes applications from a wide range of candidates. The Trust selects all candidates for employment based on their skills, qualifications and experience, in comparison against the person specification.
This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. If you are invited for interview, you will be required to disclose convictions that would not be filtered, prior to the date of the interview. Certain spent convictions and cautions will be ‘protected’ and do not need to be disclosed. Full details on protected convictions and information about which convictions must be declared during job applications can be found on the Ministry of Justice website. You will be asked for further information about your criminal history during the recruitment process. If your application is successful, this self-disclosure information will be checked against information from the Disclosure and Barring Service before your appointment is confirmed. This role will include Regulated Activities and an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) disclosure is required for this post. Please note that in all cases written references will be taken up and made available to interviewers before the final selection stage; even if you indicate otherwise.
Online vetting checks will be carried out for candidates who are shortlisted.
Prosper Learning Trust
Drayton Road
Newcastle upon Tyne
Tyne and Wear
NE3 3RU
Michael Pearson
Michael.pearson@maryastel...