Employer: St Joseph's Specialist Trust
Salary: Actual salary pro rata is £18,469 - £19,206 for 39 weeks, term time plus CPD days (£21,533 - £22,393 FTE based on 36 hours over 52 weeks), rising to pro rata £19,954 - £21,917 (£23,265 - £25,554 FTE based on 36 hours over 52 weeks) for a Senior Teaching Assistant after completing the TA apprenticeship (paid for by us) and 2 years with the Trust. We also pay a £1,000 Recruitment and Retention bonus - £250 after 1 month, £250 after 1 year, £500 after 18 months at Trust (subject to tax & NI)
Hours: 8.30-4 Monday, 8.30-4.15 Tuesday-Thursday, 8.30-3.45 Friday (including a 30 minute unpaid break each day) plus 30 minutes that can be worked flexably to suit operational needs
Closing: 2nd December 2024
A Teaching Assistant at St Joseph’s is very different from a mainstream TA position. During the school week, you will be supporting students, age 5-19, with moderate to severe social communication difficulties, complex learning disabilities and often challenging behaviours to access therapy based education. Our classes have between 4 and 10 students. They are grouped by ability and to meet their social needs rather than age. Some class time is structured. Many students follow a personalised timetable. They learn core skills including numeracy, literacy and science as well as life and living skills including cookery and gardening. Lessons are often 30 minutes long. Some of our students are non-verbal using alternative means of communication including Makaton, signs, symbols or communications aids, often using a multi-sensory approach.
Supporting our students can sometimes be challenging. They may get frustrated, anxious and emotional and you will need to guide them through it by helping them to manage their feelings and behaviour. You will have the ongoing support of a skilled and dedicated team. Comprehensive training and mentoring includes learning about safeguarding, autism and positive behaviour support. Some of our students may need personal care. All of our TAs take part in a twice weekly TA training package that includes theory and practical sessions and leads to a teaching assistant apprentice qualification which has been approved by the CPD standards office. If you are recruited, you will be required to complete Team Teach positive behaviour support training as part of your induction before employment.
You don’t need experience to apply. You do need empathy and compassion. Physical and mental resilience are essential qualities for all our staff along with a “can do” attitude.
St Joseph’s Specialist Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. This position requires an enhanced DBS check.
For an application pack (including form, job profile and person specification) or access to an on-line application form, please visit the St Joseph’s Specialist Trust website vacancies page or email recruitment@st-josephscranleigh.surrey.sch.uk