Learning Support Assistant
Ref: SCH-PLT-0024Additional Information
Contract Type: Permanent Contract Term: TTO - Term time only Hours per Week: 33.50 Weeks per Year: 39.000 Pay Grade: Support Staff | SCP7 - SCP9The Role
Thomas Bewick School are looking for skilled Learning Support Assistants with experience of supporting pupils with SEND with an interest in working with pupils with Autistic Spectrum Condition (ASC) and associated conditions. All pupils have significant learning difficulties and complex needs. The range of abilities stretches from Engagement Level to lower National Curriculum levels.
33.5 hours per week, term time + 5 training days. FTE £24,294 - £25,119. Actual £18,887 - £19,528 (£12.59- £13.03 per hour)
Thomas Bewick School is a specialist provision for autistic children and young people. We cater for children and young people aged 3 -19 years with a range of abilities and differences associated with Autistic Spectrum Condition (ASC) and all of our pupils have an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP).
The school is arranged over three different sites: our Broadwood Site based in Denton Burn, and our Site 1 and Site 2, both based in West Denton. Our relevant, exciting and challenging curriculum is taught and supported by a team of caring, friendly and dedicated staff who are trained in a range of ASC specific approaches and strategies. All of our pupils have access to an autism specific environment with a range of specialist facilities and activities available to support different aspects of their learning and development.
Thomas Bewick School is a successful specialist school for pupils aged between three and nineteen years with a diagnosis of ASC located in Newcastle upon Tyne.
Prosper Learning Trust was established in January 2018 with Newcastle Bridges School and Mary Astell Academy. Thomas Bewick School joined in 2019, and Harry Watts opened in September 2020 and Gilbert Ward Academy opened in September 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 candidates will be deployed initially at Thomas Bewick School but will be expected to work at any Prosper Learning Trust site should the need arise.
To learn more about Thomas Bewick School and Prosper Learning Trust, please visit https://www.prosperlearningtrust.co.uk
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
Please note that all successful candidates will be required to complete an online pre-employment medical questionnaire.
Qualifications
| Qualification Title | Grade | |
|---|---|---|
| Level 2 Qualification in a relevant subject |
Essential
|
|
| A willingness to undertake further professional development and training |
Desirable
|
|
| MIDAS qualification to drive school minibus or willingness to undertake |
Desirable
|
Skills
| Abilities, Skills and Knowledge | |
|---|---|
| Excellent Classroom Practitioner |
Essential
|
| Understanding of the curriculum guidance of the National Curriculum. |
Desirable
|
| High expectations of pupil achievement. |
Essential
|
| Prepared to undertake ongoing professional development. |
Essential
|
| Willingness to participate in out of school activities. |
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
|
| Relevant Experience | |
| Experience of supporting pupils with autism. |
Desirable
|
| Personal Attributes | |
| Positive attitude to change |
Essential
|
| Calm, confident and professional manner |
Essential
|
| Ability to find creative answers to problems. |
Desirable
|
| Excited by opportunities presented by the post. |
Essential
|
| Ability to manage change and prioritise competing deadlines |
Essential
|
| Ability to form and maintain appropriate relationships and personal boundaries with children and young people with learning difficulties. |
Essential
|
| 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
|
| Relevant Skills | |
| Clean current driving licence |
Desirable
|
| Experience/Knowledge | |
| An understanding of the educational environment and teaching of pupils with learning difficulties. |
Essential
|
| Ability to demonstrate good contribution to assisting teaching in present school. |
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, including those with criminal records. 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.
Thomas Bewick School
Linhope Road,
West Denton
Newcastle upon Tyne
Newcastle upon Tyne
NE5 2LW
Caroline Graham
admin@thomasbewick.newcastle.sch.uk