Learning Support Assistant

We are seeking to recruit a flexible, enthusiastic and highly committed person to be responsible for providing learning support for the children in our friendly and caring school. We are an averaged sized primary school in Liverpool city centre (the number on roll is 190 pupils) and require a person with relevant experience. This is an exciting opportunity to be part of St Nicholas Catholic Academy, which is part of St Joseph Catholic Multi Academy Trust. The Trust works in partnership with the Archdiocese of Liverpool, the Diocese of Shrewsbury and the Diocese of Chester and provides extensive opportunities for the children and young people in our schools, whilst our staff are able to take part in sharing and receiving best practice with and from colleagues across the Trust in order to deliver high-quality teaching and learning for our students., General duties:

• Assist teaching staff to prepare classrooms for lessons and activities.
• Assist with school trips, events and activities.
• Encourage pupils to interact with others and engage in activities led by teaching staff.
• Supervise pupils' work and offer support where necessary.
• Provide administrative and clerical support to teaching staff and other TAs regarding lesson planning and resources.
• Monitor the needs and behaviour of pupils, and report these to teaching staff where appropriate.
• Undertake pupil record keeping as requested, e.g. taking registers.
• Assist teaching staff and other TAs with creating and maintaining displays throughout the school.
• Establish and maintain constructive relationships with pupils' parents and deliver pastoral support as required.
• Be a good role model to pupils in terms of behaviour and attitude.
• Provide teaching cover as and when required.
Supporting the school:
• Contribute to the ethos, value and aims of the school.
• Comply with all relevant legislation and school policies, including those relating to safeguarding, health and safety and data protection.
• Promote inclusion and acceptance of all pupils.
• Assist with the supervision of pupils out of lesson times, including before and after school and at lunchtimes.
• Maintain good working relationships with other staff members and key stakeholders, including parents and external agencies.
• Share expertise and skills with other staff members.
• Be aware of and support difference and ensure equal opportunities for all.
• Attend meetings within the trust and external events as required.
• To maintain confidentiality always in respect of school-related matters and to prevent disclosure of confidential and sensitive information.
• Promote a safe and healthy environment for pupils, staff and visitors.
• Undertake any duties which may reasonably fall within the level of responsibility and the competence of the post, as directed by line manager / senior leaders.
Teaching and learning:
• Develop a secure knowledge of the learning support needs of individual pupils.
• Identify where pupils are struggling, e.g. engaging with a particular topic, and support them in understanding the information and complete the work.
• Support the use of ICT and computing in learning activities, and develop pupils' competence and independence in its use.
• Undertake activities set by teaching staff with individuals, or groups of pupils, to support pupils' learning.
• Assist teaching staff to implement a variety of teaching strategies that support pupils in achieving their learning goals.
• Assist teaching staff and the SENCO with the creation of individual learning plans for pupils.
• Provide new and ongoing support for individuals or groups of pupils who need extra interventions to achieve their potential.
Communication and Co-ordination:
• Work closely with teaching staff, other TAs and the SENCO to close the attainment gap between individual pupils, groups of pupils, and their peers.
• Assist the SENCO in the production of a timetable that ensures pupils are not repeatedly missing the same lesson to join interventions.
• Contribute towards pupils' annual reviews and report on the effectiveness of the interventions in place.
• Assist in arranging extra time and access arrangements, as appropriate, where external examinations or tests are administered.
Professional development:
• Participate in training and other professional development as required.
• Provide the school with feedback on any training or professional development undertaken.
• To participate in performance and development review process, taking personal responsibility for identification of learning, development and training opportunities in discussion with the line manager.
  
  Able to work independently but also as part of a team.
• Dedicated to their practice.
• Punctual and professional.
• Able to maintain successful working relationships with colleagues.
• Reliable and able to be flexible in their approach to work.
• Positive and engaging. Able to plan and take control of situations.
• Capable of handling demanding workload and successfully prioritising work.
• Empathetic to those who face barriers to their learning.
• Patient with pupils who take longer to understand information.
• The capacity to work flexibly.
Qualifications and training: Essential requirements:
• Two or more GCSEs at grades 9 to 3 or equivalent, including English and maths.
• A degree in a relevant field or other relevant qualification.
Desirable requirements:
• First Aid Training Safeguarding Training
Skills and Experience: Essential requirements:
• Experience of working with children.
• Experience of record keeping and monitoring.
• Effective oral and written communication skills.
• Demonstrable levels of numeracy and literacy.
• Excellent communication skills.
• Effective problem solving skills.
• The ability to remain calm under pressure.
• The ability to be proactive in seeking solutions.
• The ability to work with pupils in a professional manner.
Desirable requirements:
• Experience of working in an educational environment.
• Experience of working on a one-to-one basis.
• Good organisational skills and time management.
• Experience working with children and young people with additional needs.
Knowledge: Essential requirements:
• Knowledge of areas of legislation relevant to child protection and safeguarding.
• Knowledge of relevant school policies.
Desirable requirements:
• Knowledge of legislation and statutory guidance specific to school type and phase.