Purpose of the job

Support class teachers:

To enable access to learning for a child with SEN in order to continue to raise standards and to assist teachers in the management and development of pupils' academic, social and emotional well-being. Work may be carried out in the classrooms or outside the main teaching areas either 1:1 or in a small group. The role is assigned to a particular child.

Support Lunchtime Sessions:

To enable the child to enjoy their lunchtimes in a safe environment.

Key Features:

Support for the child: 

• Develop knowledge of the child socially, emotionally and academically including home circumstances, barriers to learning etc.

• Gain a specific understanding of the learning needs of the child to be supported whatever their ability 

• Supervise and provide particular support for the child, ensuring their safety and access to learning activities

• Aid learning, as effectively as possible, both in group situations and independently by, for example: 

• clarifying and explaining instructions

• encouraging to listen to the class teacher and then explain what they are expected to do

• ensuring the child to be able to use equipment and materials provided safely and with precision

• assisting in weaker areas, e.g. language, behaviour, social skills, reading, spelling, maths, handwriting/presentation

• helping in stronger areas to use and apply knowledge and understanding to more open-ended tasks

• helping the child to concentrate well and finish work set and become autonomous in this

• meeting physical needs as required whilst encouraging independence

• assisting with the development and implementation of Individual Education/Behaviour Plan and Personal Care programme within classes

• developing appropriate resources to support the child

• providing support for the child inside and outside the classroom to enable them to interact socially and cooperatively with others and engage in activities led by teachers

• establish a constructive relationship with the child and interact with them calmly, respectfully and firmly when necessary

• promote inclusion and acceptance

• set challenging and demanding expectations and promote self-esteem and independence

• provide the necessary pastoral care to enable the child to feel secure and happy

• provide feedback in relation to progress and achievement under the guidance of the teacher

Support for the Teacher

• assist the class teacher (and other professionals as appropriate), in the development and planning of a suitable programme of support 

• inform yourself of weekly plans in advance of the lesson so that you are able to prepare appropriately, with the support of the teacher, for the child you will be supporting

• monitor responses to learning activities and accurately record achievement as directed

• provide detailed and regular feedback to the teacher

• contribute to the maintenance of progress records

• participate in the evaluation of the support programme

• promote good behaviour, dealing promptly with conflicts and incidents in line with established policy, and encourage the child to take responsibility for their own behaviour

• establish constructive relationships with parents/carers

• administer routine tests and undertake routine marking of work as directed by teachers

• support teachers in photocopying and other tasks in order to support teaching 

Support for the Curriculum: 

• undertake structured and agreed learning activities/teaching programmes, adjusting activities according to the child’s responses to everyday assessment

• undertake intervention programmes as agreed with SENCO and class teacher, recording achievement and progress, and feeding back to the teacher

• support the use of ICT in learning activities and develop the child’s competence and independence in its use 

• assist with the preparation and maintenance of equipment/resources required to meet lesson plans/relevant learning activities to support the delivery of an enriched curriculum

Support for Lunchtimes:

• set up and clear away tables, chairs in the dining area

• set out play equipment

• Assist the cook with setting out food, cutlery and crockery

• Clean up any spillages of food or drink

• Sweep floors once tables and chairs are cleared away

• Safeguard pupils’ health and safety during lunchtime

• Ensure children line up in a timely manner

• Ensure children have a balance of dining and recreation time

• Lead the children in ‘grace’

• Monitor children to encourage them to eat healthy lunches

• Help children who may be having difficulties i.e. cutting up food

• Encourage good table manners

• Ensure good behaviour in line with the school’s behaviour policy 

• Comfort children who may be upset

• Supervise children in the playground or in the hall and classrooms in wet weather

• Make appropriate decisions concerning first aid incidents and illness to ensure maximum safety for the children during lunchtime

• Deal with any minor first aid incidents such as cuts, grazes and bruises or referring to a First Aider

• Check, monitor and resolve health and welfare issues and refer these to appropriate members of staff

 Support for the school: 

• be aware of and comply with the procedures relating to child protection, health, safety and security, confidentiality and data protection, reporting all concerns to an appropriate person

• be aware of, and support difference, ensure all children have equal access to opportunities to learn and develop 

• contribute to the overall ethos, work and aims of the school

• be prepared to uphold the values of the school 

• appreciate and support the roles of other professionals

• attend and participate in relevant meetings and training as required

• where appropriate, develop a relationship to foster links between home and school

• liaise, advise and consult with other members of the team supporting the children as appropriate

• contribute to reviews of children’s progress as appropriate

• set a good example in terms of dress, punctuality, attitude, collaboration, respect  and attendance

• prepare and present displays of children’s work as required

• carry out lunchtime supervision and playground duties on a rota and ad hoc basis

• accompany teachers and children on educational visits     

• undertake other duties from time to time as required by the Head of School or Teachers

Arrangements for appraisal of performance 

The role of the SEN Teaching Assistant will be monitored through the school’s performance management programme and by the usual monitoring systems of the Senior Leadership Team.