The posting
Job Purpose
We are looking for a Teaching Assistant to start with us. Our team we are looking for the successful candidate to bring with them a sense of team work and enthusiasm. Working alongside our class teachers and other TAs in you will support children in class to enable them to engage fully with school life and prepare them for the next stage of their learning journey. The role will involve working with children in small groups and on a 1:1 basis as well as supporting with whole class activities as required.
This role will be supervised by classroom teacher, a designated supervisor, and/or SENDCo
Key Responsibilities
- Support a pupil in accessing and understanding lesson objectives
- Delivering specific work programme in more depth to children with special physical, emotional and educational needs requiring detailed knowledge and specialist skills.
- Cover Supervisor - to work under the guidance of teaching/senior staff with individuals/groups, in or out of the classroom. To supervise whole classes occasionally during the short-term absence of teachers. The primary focus will be to maintain good order and to keep pupils on task. Cover Supervisors will need to respond to questions and generally assist pupils to undertake set activities (work pre-set by the teacher) and implement agreed work programmes.
- Supervise the activities of individuals or groups of children to ensure their safety and facilitate their physical and emotional development.
- Use specialist skills to undertake those activities necessary to meet the physical and emotional needs of pupils.
- Use specialist skills to foster the intellectual and social development of children.
- Undertake those activities necessary to meet the physical and emotional needs of individuals and groups of children, including pupils with educational, physical or emotional special needs.
- Undertake those activities necessary to foster the intellectual and social development of children.
- Within competence to assist the teacher in the delivery of educational and developmental work programmes.
- To monitor and report individual children's progress, achievements, problems and developmental needs to the classroom teacher or designated supervisor as appropriate.
- Assist the classroom teacher in the planning of work programmes for individuals and groups of children.
- The role may include additional duties appropriate to the level of the post, as reasonably requested by the Headteacher. The job description may be reviewed and amended following consultation.
- All duties must be carried out in line with the School’s Equal Opportunities Policy and Code of Conduct, promoting equality, dignity, and respect for all.
Person Specification
Experience and Education
Key Criteria in addition to the statements in the advert. Assessment, shortlisting & final selection will be assessed initially through candidates' application forms and information. Shortlisted candidates will be further assessed through references and interview activities
Experience
Essential
Desirable
Experience of working with groups of children to deliver high quality interventions and support
- ✓
Excellent classroom practitioner and commitment to make learning engaging
- ✓
Experience in working alongside class teachers
- ✓
Experience of working with children with EAL
- ✓
Experience of working in Early Years
- ✓
Experience of Phonics
- ✓
Experience of British Sign Language
- ✓
Education and qualifications
Maths & English GCSE qualifications at Grade C
- ✓
Relevant professional qualification at Level 3
- ✓
3 years experience of working in the care of children
- ✓
Skills and Attributes
Essential
Desirable
Ability to work with mixed ability groups.
- ✓
Supporting the policies, practices and ethos of the school
- ✓
Understanding of behaviour management techniques for groups and individuals
- ✓
Excellent interpersonal skills
- ✓
Excellent organisational skills and ability to prioritise
- ✓
Have a passion for learning and for enabling pupils to develop as enthusiastic learners
- ✓
Commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children
- ✓
Flexible/resilient and able to respond with good humour to the unpredictable
- ✓
Skills and Attributes
Essential
Desirable
Ability to make positive and professional relationships with all members of the school community
- ✓
Ability to meet deadlines and respond positively to high expectations
- ✓
A friendly and approachable style, while maintaining professional boundaries
- ✓
Excellent organisation skills but the ability to be adaptable and flexible
- ✓
Ability to be calm and resilient when under pressure
- ✓
Excellent time-keeping
- ✓
Personal Qualities
Essential
Desirable
Ability to perform a role that involves constant contact with children
- ✓
Ability to perform a role that requires engagement in regulated activity relevant to children.
- ✓
Safer Recruitment
Mercian Educational Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people eand expects all staff to share this commitment.
All positions are subject to child protection screening appropriate to the post, which will include an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check for the children’s workforce and a Children’s Barred List check
This post requires the ability to perform a role that involves frequent contact with children
This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and the amendments to the Exceptions Order 1975, 2013 and 2020
Why Choose MET?
Mercian Educational Trust is a connected family of schools, united by collaboration, professional trust, and a shared commitment to continuous improvement.
Our approach is built around three core beliefs: Working together, Working to grow, and Working well.
Working together means strong professional networks across our schools, combined with genuine autonomy that enables staff to shape practice in response to their pupils and context.
Working to grow reflects our commitment to development for evryone at every stage,with clear career pathways, high-quality CPD, and opportunities to progress across the trust.
Working well ensures that wellbeing and workload sustainability are embedded in how we operate, with systems, expectations, and support designed to help staff thrive in their roles.
Across all three, our aim is simple: to create an environment where colleagues are supported to thrive, empowered in their work, and prepared for long-term success.
For more information about working with us, please visit our careers page. For further details about the individual school, please visit the school’s careers page.
