TEACHING ASSISTANT – The Hewett-Dale Inclusion Centre for SEMH

Located in the heart of Portsmouth, The Flying Bull Academy is a two-form entry primary school with a Nursery and an alternative provision setting for children with SEMH needs. The Academy is proud of its caring ethos; encouraging and supporting children and colleagues to achieve their full potential, in an inclusive environment where safeguarding of children is prioritised. It is a positive, vibrant school, with a curriculum that inspires and enables our children to build upon prior knowledge and experiences in order to deepen their knowledge both academically and socially.

We can offer a hardworking, fun and proactive team with a range of skills across the curriculum, who are willing to offer support and expertise to develop your own practice. Being a reflective school, we continually strive to innovate and improve practice and a commitment to quality professional development. You will be working within our new, attractive, purpose-built centre to support children aged between five and nine who have a range of complex needs including social, emotional and mental health difficulties.

We are looking for new colleagues to join us; a great teaching assistant who is passionate about providing children with opportunities to thrive beyond the expectation of a more traditional learning environment, an enthusiastic team player with high expectations of children’s achievement and behaviour, and a positive attitude. You will contribute to the children’s development including their speech and language, learning, physical and mental well-being by supporting the teaching and learning in the classroom under the direction and guidance of the Class teacher and Pupil Support Workers. You will support children on a one-to-one or small group basis, across a wide range of learning and positive behaviour activities, including the preparation and maintenance of resources.  You will need to work in a relational way to ensure that positive behaviour and relationships are promoted. You will be willing to support pupils with medical and personal hygiene needs. You will ideally have experience of working with children in a primary age setting. You will have excellent interpersonal skills that enable you to communicate with a wide range of people, including children, their parent/carers and colleagues. You will be resilient and hard working with the ability to work on your own initiative while understanding the need to work as part of a cohesive team.

In return, you will be part of the University of Chichester Academy Trust, bringing you added benefits and opportunities, for example specialised professional development from practitioners through cutting edge research. You will find that each of our Academies has a unique identity, but a shared belief in creating a positive and enriching environment, where all staff feel valued.

Visits to the school are strongly encouraged and welcomed; please ring the school office to arrange an appointment (02392 694313). You can apply for this vacancy by downloading the University of Chichester Academy Trust application form (www.unicat.org.uk/careers) and supporting documents and sending it to the school by e-mail (cnaughton@fbacademy.co.uk) or post.

If you feel you have the skills, passion and experience to make a difference to the lives of our children, please get in touch. Previous applicants in the last 12 months need not apply.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.  Any appointment is subject to satisfactory completion of all relevant pre-employment checks.