Job Introduction
LINWOOD SCHOOL
Springwood Campus, Andrew’s Close, West Howe
Teaching Assistants
It is an offence to apply for this role if you are barred from engaging in regulated activity relevant to children.
Springwood Campus is part of Linwood School which is an ‘Outstanding’ (Ofsted January 2018) multi-campus, day special school for children and young people aged 4 – 19. Springwood Campus is an autism specific day provision, therefore all of our students have a diagnosis of Autism and complex needs, as well as moderate to severe learning difficulties.
Due to the special educational needs of our students this role can be challenging and sometimes physically demanding, however the work is also very rewarding. Resilience is a key personal quality for the role as is the ability to communicate effectively using a range of tools. As a Teaching Assistant at Springwood Campus your main responsibilities would include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Provide one-on-one and small group support to students to facilitate their academic and social progress under the direction of the class Teacher.
- Create a structured and nurturing environment that promotes student engagement.
- Assist and encourage students to remain on task.
- Offer emotional support, utilising positive behavior reinforcement techniques via trauma informed approach.
- Provide personal care for pupils and appropriate medical treatment following individual care plans.
- Ensure that students records are kept up to date and in line with current guidance, under the direction of the class Teacher.
Please refer to the job description attached for a complete list of responsibilities.
The role is subject to a 6-month mandatory probation during which there is an expectation that Teaching Assistants attend Monday after school training sessions to enhance their work in school and their skill levels. A list of training dates and topics is provided upon commencement.
We are committed to empowering each child to thrive academically, socially and emotionally within a safe and supportive educational setting. The positions available are at Springwood Campus for 30 hours per week, Monday to Friday 8.45 a.m. - 3.30 p.m., 39 weeks per year (term time plus INSET days). Consideration will be given to lesser hours per week but we ask that applicants commit to a minimum 2 full days (12 hours).
For further information about our school and the different needs of our students, please refer to our website where you will find information about each of our campuses: http://linwood.bournemouth.sch.uk
Linwood School offers career progression opportunities for Teaching Assistants wishing to enhance their skills further in an education setting, leading to Specialist Provision Teaching Assistant followed by Higher Level Teaching Assistant status. Some of our Teaching Assistants have progressed to Teacher level.
In addition to the benefits provided by BCP Council, Linwood School also provides:
- An Employee Assistance Programme to support staff wellbeing.
- Paid after-school training sessions to support staff development.
- Career development.
- Long Service Awards.
Linwood School are proud to have been awarded a Silver Award from Mind for the work we are doing in school to promote positive emotional wellbeing, support staff and reduce stigma in this area.
If you would like an informal discussion about this role, please contact Kerry Young, HR Advisor, by emailing kerryyoung@linwood.bournemouth.sch.uk
Please apply by sending your application form to hr@linwood.bournemouth.sch.uk
Closing date: Sunday 29th October 2023
Interviews: Thursday 9th November and Friday 10th November 2023
Linwood School is an equal opportunities employer which values a diverse workforce. We seek and encourage applications from individuals from a diverse background who will come and work with us and become part of our Linwood family, supportive of our school values whilst providing an excellent an inclusive service to our students, ensuring they continue to feel part of the school community in everyday activities.
Our school is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of our young people and the successful applicant will be required to have an enhanced DBS check as well as an overseas criminal records check, if worked or lived outside the UK within the past 10 years. Offers of employment are also subject to satisfactory references, health and right to work checks.
This role is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and the amendments to the Exceptions Order 1975, 2013 and 2020. If the role is exempt, certain spent convictions and cautions are ‘protected’, so they do not need to be disclosed, and if they are disclosed, we cannot take them into account.
All Linwood School staff are expected to adhere to our policies and procedures in respect of safeguarding and child protection, including Keeping Children Safe in Education and Guidance for adults working with children and young people in an education setting.
