Applicant Information Pack Teaching Assistant with special responsibility for Art / DT
A Foreword from our Principal and Chief People Officer Richard Backhouse - Principal Berkhamsted has led the way in pursuing a ‘foundation structure’. As a group of six schools, it combines scale of resource with individual attention and development of pupils – and staff. We start with our values: we aim for excellence – aiming high with integrity – in all that we do. We are ‘adventurous’, and support development, research, and experimentation in teaching and learning. We ‘serve others’ – at both pupil and staff level: ours is a non-hierarchical school in which the opinions of all matter, and in which we all share in the support and contribution to our local community. Above all, we are committed to developing remarkable people, both our pupils and our staff. We are looking for highly committed, ambitious and adventurous people to join a thriving staff body, whom we can support to flourish here, and whom we can help to grow. Our staff are so important that we have a Chief People Officer as one of our most senior members of staff.
Tracey Evans - Chief People Officer Our staff are our biggest asset at Berkhamsted, and so investing in not only their professional development but also their wellbeing, is a key priority. We foster a working environment that supports staff both professionally and personally. We offer a wide range of staff wellbeing initiatives. Colleagues can easily access financial, physical, emotional and social well-being support from school. We seek to enable all members of the school community to achieve their full potential in an environment characterised by equality respect and opportunity. We work hard at Berkhamsted, but we also know how to come together as a community and enjoy downtime, building relationships which simply last a lifetime.
History of About Berkhamsted Schools Group Heatherton Heatherton is a close-knit, dynamic and forward thinking school and believes that a child’s education should be inspirational, challenging and nurturing. Heatherton Girls belong to a warm, friendly and happy community where they feel secure and able to become independent learners who are willing to explore the unknown. Highly skilled and passionate teachers inspire our girls through a rich and varied curriculum and an array of extra-curricular activities. There are currently 158 pupils at Heatherton (aged 3-11).
Part of the Berkhamsted Schools Group Heatherton is one of six schools that make up Berkhamsted Schools Group. Berkhamsted School is one of the country’s leading independent schools. It has a structure that provides the best in both co-educational and single-sex education, offering small class sizes and appropriate teaching environments for each age group, from age 3 to 18. The School’s ‘diamond’ structure allows boys and girls to be taught together until the age of 11 (at Berkhamsted Pre-Prep and at Berkhamsted Prep), separately from 11-16 (Berkhamsted Boys and Berkhamsted Girls), before coming back together again in a joint Sixth Form (Berkhamsted Sixth). Heatherton Girls are provided with the opportunity of progressing to the Girls Senior School by sitting the Berkhamsted entrance exam six weeks prior to the external applicants. The School curriculum sits alongside the Berkhamsted Prep and Pre-Prep Schools. As Heatherton is located within easy access to local Grammar Schools, girls are also prepared for sitting the 11 plus.
Job Description Relationships and Responsibilities Responsible to: 1. The Head Teacher directly 2. The Deputy Head 3.Head of Art / DT through the school’s management structure. Responsible for: All matters of delegated authority relating to the teaching, care, and supervision of Children in the School. General aims and objectives To perform the functions and services of a member of staff as described in the Staff Handbook. To support the teaching of any teacher but specifically in Art / DT from the Nursery years through to Year 6. To be proficient in mounting well-presented and appealing displays in communal areas and in the art room. Main Purpose of the Job To be a member of the adult team working together to create a safe, caring and stimulating environment in which each child can grow, learn, and develop, and in which the best interests of the children will be served. To bring knowledge and skills, specifically in Art and DT practises, to support the specialist teaching of these subjects from Nursery to Year 6. To be experienced in producing high quality displays to enhance the school environment and to showcase the Art and DT work of our pupils.
Job Description Main Responsibilities The Teaching Assistant is immediately responsible to the Head of Art / DT who will offer a reasonable level of support and guidance, but will expect the following: -
Knowledge Needed: 1.
An understanding of child development.
2. An appreciation of good childcare practice and current First Aid, Health and Safety provisions – including and specifically within the area of D&T teaching. 3. An understanding of how to support the teaching of Art / DT through planning ahead, providing technical expertise in the support of Art and DT teaching, preparation of resources and in the execution of the lesson. 4. Prior experience in producing high quality displays, to enhance the communal school environment and to showcase the Art and DT work of our pupils, within the art room and the school. 5. A clear understanding of good educational practice.Keeping well informed about development in EYFS and current thinking in children’s needs and development as appropriate. 6. The ability to advance pupils’ learning using ICT and to use common ICT tools for their own and pupil benefit (by understanding the software and learning programmes).
Job Description Skills Needed: 1.
To be reliable, enthusiastic, adaptable, discreet, and tolerant.
2.
Practical knowledge and appreciation of Art and DT overall.
3.
Skill and experience in creating well-presented and interesting displays.
4. The ability to observe - to assist and develop children’s need and progress and to help promote independent learning. 5.
To have sensitivity towards both children and parents.
6.
To have the ability to participate in the children’s activity and discussions, to promote learning.
7. To have empathy with the children and the ability to relate to them, at their level of understanding and development. 8.
To enter a child’s learning and play as a partner sharing the process.
9. The ability to intervene sensitively (not interfere) when appropriate, so that the adult does not dominate the child, but equally not left to flounder.
Job Description 10.
To have the ability to assist the class teacher to manage the children’s behaviour.
11. To have the ability to plan, prepare and clear activities, as well as contribute towards the curriculum. 12. To have the ability to be responsible for the maintenance of equipment and report any repairs required to the class teacher. 13.
To have the ability to work with children with Additional Needs.
14.
To have the ability to respect the dignity, individuality, beliefs, and culture of each child.
15.
To have the ability to maintain professional relationships and to communicate clearly.
16. To have the ability to liaise with other specialists and to contribute to the shared knowledge of the child and his/her situation. 17. To foster and maintain good general relations with parents, ensuring shared understanding of the children’s needs and development in close liaison with the class teacher. 18. To have the ability to contribute towards the life of the school through participation in lunch/playtimes and other relevant duties as well as meetings, In-Service training, and functions (where applicable).
Job Description 19. To have the ability to share in the responsibility for the children, the day-to-day routine, and the overall care of their years in school. 20. To have the ability to assess and evaluate one’s own performance as a qualified Teaching Assistant in discussion with the Class Teacher / Team Leader.
The Life of the School 1. To correct any pupil who’s standard of behaviour, dress or cooperation fall below required standards. 2. To attend Assemblies, register the attendance of pupils and supervise children outside lesson time as agreed in the prepared rota, before/during/after school sessions as directed by the Deputy Head. 3.
To use non-contact time effectively for preparation/displays/marking etc.
4.
To maintain high personal standards of appearance, behaviour, and punctuality.
5. To request prior approval from the Head Teacher for any absence from school and to give notice in writing to appropriate people, especially to the Deputy Head in good time, so that cover can be organised.
Job Description 6. Performance Management a.
To participate in arrangements made for your professional development review.
b. To participate in arrangements made for further training and professional development, which will include attendance at/delivery of Staff Inset as required and attendance of external training courses.
7. Staff Meetings a. To participate in meetings which relate to the curriculum of the school or the administration or organisation of the school including pastoral arrangements, one meeting per half-term. b.
To attend school functions unless absence is discussed with the Head Teacher before the event.
8. Cover To supervise in so far as practicable, any pupils whose teacher is not able to teach them at the request of the HDT.
9.
Participating in day educational trips.
You may be asked to help with trips.
Job Description Relations with Pupils and Colleagues 1. Emphasise the importance of safe methods of working in such areas of your subject/classroom. Communicate to pupils that they must have a responsible attitude to the equipment and materials with which they have been provided and that they will be charged for any damage inflicted on school property. 2. Classes are expected to wait quietly for the teacher.The adult should as far as practicable be the last to leave his/her classroom/changing room to ensure that it is in good order. 3. Communicate regularly and freely with other colleagues; exchange views on teaching methods and individual children; be accessible and be open to view ideas that may be effective. 4. Be professional. Do not try to elicit from children’s adverse comments on colleagues or be heard to criticise or argue with other members of staff in front of pupils. If children criticise their teachers, then follow up the criticism confidentially with the Head Teacher but support your colleagues, particularly until you have found out the truthfulness or otherwise of an indictment. 5. If you wish to challenge a colleague on a particular matter then do so privately, in a friendly manner. Serious criticism should be referred to the Head Teacher.
Job Description 6. Children have the right to complain about you to another (appropriate) member of staff. Avoid giving them any genuine reason for doing so. Always act in a way that you honestly believe to be right, justifiable and in the interests of the pupil. If you do this you will always find sympathy and support, even if something goes wrong.
Additional duties It is the nature of the work at the school that tasks and responsibilities are, in many circumstances, varied. All staff are, therefore, expected to work in a flexible way when occasion arises, when tasks which are not specifically covered in their job descriptions must be undertaken. These additional duties will normally be to cover unforeseen circumstances or changes and they will normally be compatible with the regular type of work. If an additional responsibility or task becomes a regular or frequent part of
Job Description Confidentiality It is expected that all School employees will understand that our work is confidential and that personal details about children and families should not be discussed outside school.
Note The job description may be reviewed at the end of an academic year or earlier if necessary. In addition, it may be amended at any time after consultation with you. No job description can be fully comprehensive and will need to be reviewed and modified from time to time. The duties and responsibilities of the Teaching Assistant involve a commitment to work outside school hours as may be directed by the Head Teacher. It is expected that the Teaching Assistant will wish to enhance and develop the role in accordance with her own strengths and ideas and in the continuing development and success of the school.
Benefits
Benefits
We boast a competitive salary structure, alongside other benefits, which includes access to a comprehensive pension scheme. The wellbeing of our staff is a priority. We have a developed programme for staff with initiatives and support in the areas of Economic, Physical, Emotional and Social wellbeing. Free classes and advisory services. memberships and discounted rates in local establishments, together with cycle to work scheme, free on-site parking, free daily lunch, and fee reduction for staff's children are examples of some of the non-contractual benefits on offer in this programme.
Safeguarding Protection Safeguarding and and Child Protection Berkhamsted is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and expects all staff and visitors to adopt a child centred and coordinated approach to child protection and safeguarding. A copy of the School’s Child Protection and Safeguarding Policy can be found HERE The school is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and visitors to adopt a child centred and coordinated approach to child protection and safeguarding. Berkhamsted Schools Group is a registered charity dedicated to education: 310630.
Application and Next Steps The closing date for applications is 14 January 2024 It is an offence to apply for this role if you are barred from engaging in regulated activity relevant to children; applicants must be willing to undertake a number of safeguarding checks including an enhanced Disclosure and Barring (DBS). This post is also subject to receipt of written references which must be satisfactory to Berkhamsted Schools Group along with documentary evidence of qualifications. Successful applicants will need to provide confirmation of permission to work in the UK. Please note that under the Immigration Asylum and Nationality Act 2006, the school has an obligation to ensure applicants have the right to work in the UK prior to commencement of employment. (If it is found that those documents do not meet the legal requirement, an offer of employment will be withdrawn). Where the successful candidate has worked or been a resident overseas in the previous five years, such checks and confirmations as the school may require in accordance with statutory guidance. We aim to be an equal opportunities employer and we are determined to ensure that no applicant or employee receives less favourable treatment on the grounds of gender, age, disability, religion, belief, sexual orientation, marital status, or race. Candidates with a disability who are invited to interview should inform the School of any necessary reasonable adjustments or arrangements to assist them in attending the interview. If you have any questions relating to this role please contact the HR department at recruitment@berkhamsted.com