Vacancy for Higher Level Teaching Assistant - Therapeutic Thinking

Salary: Meridian Trust Grade 7, Points 12-19

Hours: 32.5

We are looking for an enthusiastic person who would like to join our friendly and hardworking team as a Higher-Level Teaching Assistant. This is an exciting opportunity for a capable and experienced teaching assistant who is looking to progress their career and who would like to develop their knowledge and expertise in providing specialist intervention for pupils who need to accelerate their rate of progress.

ROLE:

To complement the professional work of Teachers and Assistant Heads by leading and delivering learning objectives to children and young people as directed.

Developed by Angela Wadham, ‘Therapeutic Thinking’ is a therapeutic thinking and trauma-informed approach to behaviour management for all educational settings (mainstream, special, pre-school, primary, secondary and further education), grounded in evidence-based research, and founded on the ethos that "You can't teach children to behave better by making them feel worse. When children feel better, they behave better." (Pam Leo). 

Main Responsibilities, Tasks and Duties:

The ‘Therapeutic Thinking’ practitioners’ main role is to provide support for staff and children with identified behaviours that challenge. The ‘Therapeutic Thinking’ practitioner will prioritise the pro-social feelings of everyone within a dynamic. This means understanding the feelings and thoughts behind behaviour and considering the effect it has on all individuals’ experiences and emotions within a particular group. Comprehending and working with this results in long-term change of behaviour, rather than suppressing or punishing it. This will include leading training for staff, supporting the development of the ‘Therapeutic Thinking’  process including anxiety mapping and risk reduction planning.

You will be working under the direction of the class teacher  to:

• Provide personalised, bespoke provision for pupils who are not on track to meet age expectations, including pupils with EAL.
• Deliver high quality phonics and reading fluency provision.
• Contribute to the planning and evaluation of learning activities with teaching staff in order to plan and deliver high quality educational provision for our young people.
• Support the implementation of APDRs, behaviour plans, curriculum planning and assessment, providing detailed feedback to the teacher, parent or outside agency as needed.
• Encourage and promote the inclusion and acceptance of all children.
• Contribute to the wider life of the academy, including after school educational provision.

The ideal candidate:

• Is skillful in working with children in all year groups to support their learning and progress.
• Is confident and resilient, patient and nurturing and who wants to help us to support our pupils to thrive and develop into successful young people.
• Demonstrates excellent classroom practice with high standards of teaching and learning.
•  Can act on their own initiative.
• Is qualified to NVQ Level 3 for Teaching Assistants/HLTA qualification or equivalent or is willing to work towards this qualification.
• Is a good team player who is willing to contribute to the ethos and wider community of the academy.
• Is motivated, passionate, and reflective about their work.
• Demonstrates an understanding of child protection and safeguarding issues.

About Meridian Trust –

Meridian Trust is a values-led organisation formed in 2011 that has risen to be one of the highest-performing academy trusts in the country. The Trust is founded on its commitment to a high-quality educational provision for all at the heart of local communities. Meridian currently operates primary, secondary and special schools across Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Peterborough, Lincolnshire and Northamptonshire. 

Meridian Trust offers a wealth of fantastic benefits for teaching and support staff which are highlighted below but are not limited to - 

• Apprenticeship and CPD opportunities which allow you to gain specialist knowledge in a role you are passionate about developing in
• Opportunity to jump start your career in teaching through our dedicated Initial Teacher Training Team (ITT)
• Support for mental health and wellbeing through our Employee Assistance Programme and other resources
• Cycle to work scheme
• Defined benefit local government or Teacher’s pension scheme
• Healthcare benefits including free eye test vouchers and flu vaccinations
• Free on-site parking
• Discounts on a wide range of benefits from everyday essentials to holidays         

To explore our full range of benefits, please visit https://www.meridiantrust.co.uk/jobs-and-training/benefits/. 

For more information about the role please download the Applicant Information Pack below.

Closing date for applications: 10.01.2025- midday

Interviews will be held on:  date to be confirmed

Meridian Trust reserves the right to close the applications early in the event that a suitable candidate is sourced. Applications will be reviewed as received so please apply early to avoid disappointment.

The Trust is committed to diversity and inclusion and equality of opportunity for all staff and applications from individuals are encouraged regardless of age, disability, sex, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, race, religion or belief and marriage and civil partnerships.

The Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. All appointments will be subject to pre-employment checks, including an enhanced check with the Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS), as well as online searches.