We are recruiting  for a Teaching Assistant to support children with specific needs on a one-to-one basis, and to support children’s learning in class.  We have recently joined Oxford Diocesan Bucks Schools Trust, the benefits of being part of a trust are outlined below.

Candidates with experience with working with children with communication/interaction needs and SEMH needs is desirable. The school our looking for support staff members to become part of newly formed team and move the school to the next part of its journey. The school is a happy place to work with supportive staff, governors and parents and wonderful pupils who want to learn! There are regular opportunities to attend LSA meetings and undertake additional training including progression to teacher training in the future.

All our teaching assistants work alongside our qualified teachers to support learning – whether supporting individual children, providing administrative and welfare support, teaching small groups, supervising children at play or lunchtimes and much more!

About the Role:

• To work under the guidance of the SENDCo and class teacher to support teaching and learning in the classroom, including support for specific named children
  
• To provide general support to the class teacher in the management and organisation of the pupils and the classroom, and specifically for named children
  
• To assist the teacher in creating and maintaining a purposeful, orderly, and supportive learning environment
  
•  To promote the inclusion of all children ensuring that they have equal access, to opportunities to learn and develop (including working 1:1 to support children with special educational needs).
  
•  To work with an individual child on a range of activities and to constructively help the child to participate by adapting and/or interpreting lessons and instructions accordingly. This will include:
  
•   Supporting children with their social behaviour, attitude and skills
  
•  Enabling them to develop their independence
  
• To further develop their  language, literacy, mathematical, scientific, technological, manipulative and physical skills
•  To assist with the implementation of specific learning and therapy programmes
•  To support children with speech and language problems and, when necessary, assist with speech and language training
• To assist in the formulation, implementation, and maintenance of the child’s EHCP’s working alongside the class teacher and SENCo.
• To be responsible for promoting and safeguarding the welfare of children and young people within the school

The benefits of joining The Downley School

The Downley School (TDS) is a great school to work at (Staff survey 2024) and over 90% of parents would recommend the school (Parent survey 2024).

Do NOT believe what you read in the March 2022 Ofsted report!

We are a much-changed school with new leadership, vision and direction. We are on a school development journey and would love for you to come and be an instrumental part to our improvement story and the next chapter for TDS.

 Our curriculum offer is enhanced and enriched with the following facilities and resources:

• ·        A bespoke Art and DT room that promotes our creative skills
• Food technology kitchen to refine our culinary skills
• An Imagination Studio that creates an immersive experience
• A drama teacher and costume cupboard to produce any given performance
• A Scandinavian yurt with log burner
• Private woods and nature areas including a pond
• Extensive fields for outdoor learning
• Well-resourced library
• Air conditioning throughout the school
• Coming soon...An additional all-weather playground, purpose indoor sport hall, and purpose dining area! 

 We support staff to perform at their best and progress in their careers by providing:

• ·       Leadership opportunities - we believe in all staff contributing to school improvement
• Excellent professional development - Experienced and talented staff both from within the school and the trust support in developing staff
• IT equipment provided
• Supportive staff that are working together and are proud of the changes they are making to this unique school
• Customisable planning completed for all curriculum
• A fun, friendly and sociable team

T     The benefits of joining the Oxford Diocesan Bucks Schools Trust:

The ODBST family consists of 13 primary schools across Buckinghamshire, and we are delighted you are considering joining The Downley School for the next step in your career.

Being part of a Trust, makes you part of the family and this comes with many opportunities from CPD training and networking to in-house support and career development.

Whether your role is as a leader, local governing body member, teacher, learning support, school business manager or any another role at one of our schools, your contribution to our organisation and therefore to the lives and outcomes of our pupils will be very much valued.

We are committed to our staff and offer benefits which include:

• Employee Assistance Programme 
• We follow Teachers Terms and Conditions
• Graded Pay Scales for Support Staff
• Extensive CPD, Coaching and Mentoring course and opportunities in-house and external.
• Networking for not just our Headteachers but our Office teams, Leaders, ECT’s, Subject leads, DSL’s and SENCO’s.
• Inspection updates
• Pension for both support and teaching staff
• Term time only working for many of our roles
• Finally, by being part of ODBST, you are becoming part of and impacting children’s futures, and we look forward to welcoming you to the team.

The Downley is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff to share this commitment. All post holders in regulated activity are subject to appropriate vetting procedures and a satisfactory Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) Enhanced check.