Teaching Assistant in the Junior School

The Junior School, for boys aged 7-11, is a happy and highly successful part of one of the country's leading independent day schools. It currently has 135 pupils in eight forms. Although the school has grown substantially in recent years; the intimate size helps to create a family-like atmosphere, where boys demonstrate a spirit of respect and tolerance.

We aim to provide an education which enables each boy to acquire an independent and searching mind, to develop a broad range of extra- curricular interests and to take pleasure in the life of ideas. Key dispositions such as kindness, perseverance, resilience and teamwork underpin all aspects of Junior School life.

Whilst following the broad outline of the National Curriculum, we seek to enrich and extend the boys' interest and achievement in a variety of subject areas. Specialist staff and facilities help boys to reach their potential. Entry is now predominantly at 7+ starting with two small classes to which we add at 8+ and 9+. Boys take the school's 11+ tests and it is rare for pupils not to move on to the Senior School.

One of the many strengths of the school is the level of pastoral care. This is provided primarily by the form tutor, who is the first point of contact for boys and parents. Each boy is also in one of six houses in the Junior School: regular opportunities to meet and take part in house events enable boys to work together with pupils from different year groups. The Junior School Council, with representatives from each form, has an important role to play in the running of the Junior School., Magdalen College School is seeking to appoint an enthusiastic and versatile Teaching Assistant for the Junior School to start as soon as possible. The successful candidate will enjoy a varied daily routine as part of a close team in the Junior School. The list below offers an idea of what is to be expected, although it is not exhaustive:

• Work closely with the JS staff in assisting in the day-to-day running of a busy Junior School;


• Plan, lead and deliver effective interventions to support individual or small groups of boys with reinforcement and enrichment tasks;


• Offer strong in-class support in conjunction with classroom teachers;


• Cover lessons for absent staff;


• Cover Reception for absent staff;


• Oversee test invigilation for late school applicants and current Junior School pupils requiring bespoke access arrangements;


• Support our Classroom Assistants in developing the skills required to deliver high-quality interventions of their own;


• Provide supervisory support during lunch and break time, and before and after school until 5.00pm; specifically overseeing boys who catch the school buses home;



• Accompany classes on day trips and potentially residential trips;


• Lead or support sessions on our Thursday Activities Afternoon;



• Provide reprographic support and oversee the creation of high-quality displays to promote boys' work and further their learning;


• Help with Open Day, Open Events and Testing Days (one Saturday per term)
  
  take a keen interest in the welfare of pupils and show clear commitment to safeguarding children;


• be a qualified HLTA and / or with relevant experience;


• be friendly, enthusiastic, motivated and a caring individual who enjoys 'mucking in' and thrives in the company of children;


• set clear expectations for pupil behaviour within an encouraging classroom environment, and around the site;


• have excellent written and spoken communication skills;


• have sound IT skills;


• have the ability to work collaboratively and effectively as part of a wider team;


• display a high level of attention to detail;


• work hard to support pupil progress;


• be willing to take part in continuing professional development;


• respond positively to feedback
  
  Magdalen College School, founded in 1480 by William of Waynflete, is one of the country's leading independent day schools. It is situated in an enviable location at the heart of Oxford beside the River Cherwell. Shaped by its Christian Collegiate foundation and links with the university city of which it is part, it aims to inspire in all its pupils a desire to learn, flourish and to serve.


The school will celebrate its 550th anniversary in 2030. The current generation of MCS staff and pupils wish to ensure that we shape a School that is able to flourish for at least another half millennium, and hopefully many more beyond. There are around 980 pupils, boys 7-18 and Sixth Form Girls, and 200 staff who learn and work on the school's central Oxford site.

This is a full-time permanent position, term-time only with one week for INSET (35 weeks in total); with the standard working hours from 8.30am to 5.00pm Monday to Friday and an hour for lunch. The salary is £34,726 per annum, pro-rated salary will be £27,113 per annum.

Non-teaching staff are automatically enrolled in the school's contributory Group Pension Scheme. This is a defined contribution pension scheme into which the employee contributes 5% of gross salary and the employer contributes 10%.

School fee remission is available for permanent staff sons and Sixth Form daughters who pass the entrance tests for the school, and is currently 50% pro rata subject to a minimum FTE of 50%. In addition, 20% fee remission pro rata is available for MCS staff who have daughters attending Headington Rye, subject to a minimum of 50% FTE.

There is a wide range of benefits on offer to staff, including a free lunch during term time, free private health insurance and complimentary use of school sports facilities. Head to mcsoxford.org/vacancies to find out more.