Looe Community Academy

Looe Community Academy is looking for 2 x Teaching Assistant Apprentices to join their fantastic team in Cornwall.

The local governors of Looe Community Academy warmly welcome applications from enthusiastic individuals that share their commitment to excellence and their passion for achieving the very best outcomes for all their learners. They can offer you the opportunity to develop the relevant skills and knowledge to directly support student learning through their outstanding and highly successful apprenticeship scheme.

All you need to bring is oodles of enthusiasm, warmth, compassion and the desire to make a difference. The Academy is very well resourced through their commitment to provide outstanding opportunities for learning.

The Apprentice’s Role

To take a pro-active role in the support of the educational, social, emotional and physical needs of all students; to support the curriculum through the provision of assistance to the teacher in the practical organisation of class activities and small group work.
To meet the individual and collective learning needs of students with specific education needs.

Duties and responsibilities
1. To assist individuals and groups of students in developing knowledge, skills and attitudes as defined by the curriculum. To take into account the learning support involved to aid the students so as to learn as effectively as possible.
2. To establish supportive professional relationships with the student(s) concerned and to encourage the acceptance and inclusion of all students.
3. To encourage social integration and individual development of students.
4. To assist in preparing, using and maintaining relevant teaching resources, including wall displays and cleaning up classrooms after activities. To ensure that basic classroom materials and equipment are available for use.
5. To assist with lunch and break time supervision of students on a rota basis in accordance with the Academy’s supervision procedure.
6. To accompany students on educational visits and outings as supervised by the teacher or senior person responsible.
7. To assist with the assessment, monitoring and recording of students’ progress, health, behaviour and general wellbeing. To feedback any information (including concerns) regarding the wellbeing and educational needs of students to the teacher or SENDCo, Deputy Headteacher or Designated Safeguarding Lead as appropriate.
8. To be aware of confidential issues linked to home/student/teacher/Academy work and to ensure the confidentiality of such sensitive information and to maintain confidentiality of information acquired in the course of undertaking duties for the Academy.
9. To supervise an individual or small group of students within a class under the overall direction of the teacher.
10. To administer minor first aid (as trained), assist in the dispensing of medically prescribed controlled drugs (as per the approved procedure) and to assist with the personal hygiene (including incontinent students) and physical needs of students with regard to health, safety and wellbeing as required.
11. To meet the physical and mobility needs of the student, assisting in the use of a wheelchair/hoist, ensuring compliance with safe lifting procedures and undertaking associated training.
12. To meet the needs of students with emotional and behavioural difficulties. To control the student to prevent harm and disruption to the student or others, within the scope of the post holder’s training (e.g. positive handling, Team Teach) and the Academy’s policies and procedures.
13. To develop methods of promoting and reinforcing students’ self-esteem and to promote independence through the development of self-help skills.
14. To meet with and advise the SENDCo and/or other appropriate staff and to carry out administrative tasks associated with all of the above duties as directed by the teacher, SENDCo or other appropriate staff.

Please note transport will be required due to the location of this role.

Working Hours: You will be working 35 hours and 20 minutes per week, term time only. This role will be 30 paid hours per week, but in order to have the time off for all school holidays, the apprentice will need to work 35 hours 20 minutes per week over the 39 weeks that the school is open (term time plus Inset), including the time allowed for training and development..

The apprentice will be offered the choice of the available working patterns, such as start early to help cover breakfast club, or morning intervention sessions, or finish later to help cover homework club.

Wages: £144.30 per week, based on £4.81 per hour, for 30 hour week.

Looe Community Academy is situated in the historic fishing town of Looe on Cornwall's outstanding south eastern coastline, serving the beautiful coastal and rural villages and hamlets and is just a scenic, 30 minute drive from Plymouth.

Assessed by Ofsted in January 2019 as a good school, the Academy is an inclusive secondary community school delivering Key Stage 3 and Key Stage 4 to 610 students aged 11-16 and of mixed ability.
Our mission is to create and sustain a caring learning community of high quality, where everyone is valued for who they are and what they may become. Enshrined in Cornish, the Academy motto is “bydh gwella gylli” (be the best you can be).

The Academy is part of the South East Cornwall Multi Academy Regional Trust (SMART), which provides for outstanding local career opportunities, excellent professional development opportunities and access to expert support, advice, guidance and knowledge pooling from fellow practitioners in our partner schools

Past Apprentices

They have employed and trained six apprentices in the past and currently have one apprentice who is working towards their end-point assessment.

Many of their previous apprentices have successfully managed to secure employment with the Academy, with one subsequently progressing to Assistant SENDCo.

Skills Required

You will need a good level of understanding and the ability to apply literacy and numeracy skills. Good verbal, non-verbal and written communication skills. Strong organisational skills and basic ICT skills.

Personal Qualities

You will need to emotionally intelligent and aware, with a caring disposition and a patient and friendly approach. Energetic and self-motivated with the ability to work well in a team.

Enthusiastic towards students, student outcomes and education. Display a positive attitude towards own learning and development. Able to display an awareness, understanding and commitment to the protection and safeguarding of children and young people.

Prior Qualifications

Desired qualifications are GCSEs, including Maths and English, Grade C (4/5) or above

Additional Requirements

This post is subject to a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS).

The Teaching Assistant Apprenticeship includes:

• Level 3 Teaching Assistant Standard
• Learner Well Being

You will be allocated an assessor who will work with you throughout your programme, offering you support throughout. Mentoring and guidance will be given to you to enable you to succeed with your apprenticeship.

Throughout your apprenticeship, you will have regular visits from your assessor who will monitor your progress and conduct observations within your workplace.

Whilst at Skills Group, you will learn the necessary skills and gain experience to help you throughout your role. Part of your training will be knowledge/theory based, with support sessions to help you complete the required tasks.