Teaching Assistant Apprentice

Employer Description

Have you thought about becoming part of a specialist team which has a strong track record in supporting families whose children have Autistic Spectrum Disorders and Asperger’s Syndrome.
Have you got the patience, understanding and excellent communication skills needed?
Rivermead is a community special school for young people aged 11 to 19 years with a range of complex needs. We work as a community with commitment and innovation in the relentless pursuit of excellence. The Rivermead Inclusive Trust ensures it is about the ‘person’. We are passionate in ensuring equality for all, for learners and staff alike.

Travel Information:

Gillingham Station
Bus 176
Jeffery Street (Stop D) 7 minutes, every 30 minutes

Description of Vacancy

Rivermead School are recruiting for an Apprentice Teaching Assistant for our secondary special school for students with autism. Our main school site is in Gillingham. We are looking for someone enthusiastic and keen to help support the learners  (aged 11-19) with their learning, behaviour and life skills as well as providing physical and personal care where needed.
We will encourage our teachers and staff to reach their potential by taking and giving responsibility, to lead and to try new ideas to develop their skills.
We will embrace and celebrate the Rivermead Inclusive Trust ethos so that each individual; learners, staff, parents and governors feel that they have a sense of belonging, a sense of togetherness like a big family.
To work with learners with additional or particular needs, in accordance with the learner’s EHCP where appropriate and/or groups of children as directed by the Teacher. To provide support to Teachers across a range of subjects to promote learning.

MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES, TASKS & DUTIES

You will be required to provide support by working in a range of classes with individual learners or groups, as directed by the class/subject teacher and SENDCo. You will work towards being able to deliver one-to-one or small group programmes outside the classroom for learners as identified by the SENDCo, in conjunction with teaching staff.

Specific key responsibilities that will be developed:
• Monitor and help learners in working towards their academic, personal and/or behaviour targets in the classroom, as directed by the teacher/SENDCo
• Support the teachers’ delivery of the curriculum by understanding and learning how to make work more accessible for learners
• Manage classroom activities safely ensuring that the physical learning space and the resources in it are conducive to pupil learning
• Deliver one to one and small group programmes to learners who are in need of extra support and challenge, outside the classroom, as directed by the SENDCo in conjunction with teaching staff
• To communicate concerns and news of progress to staff
• Support learners to access the curriculum whilst encouraging the development of independent learning skills
• Assist in the preparation/adaptation of teaching and learning materials
• Assist with the supervision of learners both on and off site when required
• Provide physical and personal care where needed
• Implement behaviour management programmes. Promote good behaviour, dealing promptly with conflict and incidents in line with established policy
• Contribute to the overall work/aims of the school
• Contribute to the development of the Inclusion/Pastoral teams by attending review meetings, staff meetings and training as appropriate
• Carrying out designated record keeping and general administration

Wage

£144.30 per week
£4.81 per hour

Hours

9.00am -3.30pm
30 hours
Lunch: 30 minutes – unpaid
School terms only
20% paid time during working hours is given to complete training, referred to as "Off the Job Training"

Skills Required

Formal qualifications are not essential for this role, however, the post holder should have the ability to communicate effectively with children and adults, be able to empathise with children and work as part of a team.The successful candidate would also have the following skills:
• Good time management skills
• Good organisational skills
• Knowledge and understanding of confidentiality
• Ability to use ICT
• Experience of working with or caring for children of a relevant age in a voluntary or work experience capacity is desirable

Personal Qualities

The successful apprentice will be expected to apply themselves to the apprenticeship with commitment and diligence.
• Have a calm, positive and kind approach and be creative, resilient, flexible and resourceful
• Have high expectations and commitment to inspire children to achieve their very best
• Be able to inspire children and deliver exciting learning opportunities
• Have a calm, positive and kind approach
• Committed to self-development
• Drive to develop career further

Qualifications Required

GCSE Level 9-4 (or Grade A-C) in English and Maths, or equivalent in these subjects.

Training Provided

On the job training with the employer whilst working towards the Apprenticeship Standard - Teaching Assistants work in Primary, Special and Secondary education across all age ranges encompassing special educational needs and emotional vulnerabilities. The primary role of the Teaching Assistant is to support the class teacher to enhance pupils' learning either in groups or individually, ensuring pupils understand the work set, know their learning objectives and stay on task in order to make progress. Regular work based assessments/observations carried out by Kent Training & Apprenticeships Tutor Assessor, to determine competency and meet with Awarding Body Standards.

Additional Detail

As of 1st April 2022, the NMW for Apprentices is £4.81 per hour. This applies to 16-18 year old Apprentices and those aged 19 and over in the first year of their Apprenticeship. For all other Apprentices the Apprentice National Minimum wage appropriate to their age applies.

The wage for Apprentices applies to both time spent on the job plus time spent in training.

Important Information

The employer has asked that you do not contact them direct. Doing so could jeopardise your application. You will be responsible for your travel expenses to and from your place of work. Therefore, you must have the means to get to your place of work on a daily basis whilst waiting for your first wages to be paid.

KT&A: Kent Training & Apprenticeships are part of Kent County Council and are a leading training organisation with nearly 30 years successful experience. KT&A specialise in high quality work-based training, delivered by qualified staff with personal experience of working in the skill area they teach.