We are looking to recruit an experienced teaching assistant to join our delightful village school.  We are seeking applicants with experience of supporting pupils with SEND (ideally with ASD). These are brand new roles in our SEND Unit for children with SEND working alongside a qualified teacher. This is a term time role, working 39 weeks per year, 8:30am - 3:30pm Monday to Friday.   The role will also include midday meal supervision duties and a half hour lunch break. 

Visits to the school are encouraged and can be arranged via the school office on 01959 532224. 

Halstead Community Primary School is a thriving village school set in the heart of the local community. Our ethos is one of high quality learning opportunities within a warm and caring environment. We have high expectations for all our children at Halstead Community Primary School. We want them to be happy and successful, and we are committed to giving every individual child a chance to develop their talents, whatever they may be. We are determined to help children achieve and be given the chance to succeed in a secure and reassuring environment. Our aim is to help the children become self-confident and independent individuals who respect themselves, others and the world in which they live. Hence our motto ‘Everybody different, everybody equal.’

Halstead Community Primary School is part of The Pioneer Academy Trust which is an academy trust with schools across London and the South East.  At The Pioneer Academy, we put children first, pioneering excellence and championing each and every child.  All our schools, ranging from small infant schools to large primary schools, work collaboratively, sharing resources and expertise.   Find out more at:  Halstead Community Primary School - Home  and www.thepioneeracademy.co.uk

In partnership with Kent Local Authority,  Halstead Community Primary School are opening a SEND unit for children with Autistic Spectrum Condition.  This will initially be for Reception and Year 1 aged pupils.   Kent special schools and enhanced learning provisions offer appropriate placements for children and young people with the most significant needs, who require a curriculum which is wrapped around them so that they can engage in learning.  Special School and Enhanced Learning Provisions form part of the local authority’s continuum of provision and services which is for children and young people with SEND. They offer a variety of provision through their different designations and distinctive areas of expertise. The SEND unit curriculum is topic based and is a blend of EYFS/KS1 learning, social communication skills, listening, speaking and attention. There is also a focus on sensory needs, behaviour and play. The children all have individual packages of support according to their own particular needs.

At The Pioneer Academy, we take the wellbeing and mental health of our staff seriously which is why we are committed to regular reviews of staff well-being and reducing staff workload.  We create bespoke career pathways for every member of staff, identifying and growing talent, with outstanding professional development opportunities at every stage of your career.  We also have an Employee Assistance Programme with a range of resources to support wellbeing which is available to all employees and their immediate family members 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.

What we offer you:

·         A friendly, dedicated staff team who believe in teamwork and building positive relationships across the school, the Trust and in the local community.

·         High quality development programme with induction programmes for all new staff.

·         Excellent CPD opportunities, including pathways into teacher training for those who aspire to teach.

·         A supportive and collaborative working ethos, including support from the Trust’s Central Executive Team and a range of experts, such as specialists in pupil welfare, SEND and behaviour.

·         Termly forums to increase collaboration and reduce workload.

·         Access to Employee Assistance Programme including free counselling.

·         Access to discounted wrap around childcare for staff.

·         Free academy-wide social events throughout the year.

If you are interested in applying for the post, please see the Job Description/Person Specification.  To apply for this vacancy, please complete the application form, completing a full education and employment history since leaving school and indicating how you satisfy the criteria set out in the Job Description/Person Specification. You will also be required to complete and return a self-disclosure declaration with your application.  Applications should be submitted via My New Term. 

Only those shortlisted for interview will be contacted.  References will be requested for those shortlisted only and prior to interview.  In line with Keeping children safe in education 2024 online searches will be completed as part of the due diligence on shortlisted candidates, searching online content that is publicly available for inappropriate online content that may suggest that a shortlisted candidate may not be suitable to work with children, or that may harm the reputation of the school.  If any issues of concern come up in online searches, shortlisted candidates will have an opportunity to address these at interview.   An Enhanced DBS certificate will be required on provisional offer, including a check of the Children’s Barred List.  Further vetting checks, in line with the requirements of Keeping children safe in education 2024 will be completed following a provisional offer of appointment.  Where applicable, if an applicant with a provisional offer of employment has lived and/or worked outside the UK, they will be required to obtain a Certificate of Good Conduct.

The Pioneer Academy is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and expects all staff to share this commitment. Offers of employment are subject to a satisfactory enhanced DBS disclosure and other employment checks. Our Academy Safeguarding Policy 2024-25 is attached for your information. 

WE RESERVE THE RIGHT TO CLOSE THIS ADVERT EARLY AND SUITABLE CANDIDATES MAY BE INTERVIEWED BEFORE THE CLOSING DATE