Independence Assistant (Teaching Assistant)

The Lion Works School is an Independent special school. We are part of an ethical and progressive organisation that believes it can achieve real change for children, young people and their families.

The Lion Works School is situated within the BCP local authority. We offer an academic and vocational specialist learning provision across KS3, KS4 and Post 16 aiming to reduce barriers to enable successful learning experiences and outcomes. There are a variety of routes a student can take, which include GCSEs, BTECs and other accredited qualifications whilst building confidence, improving wellbeing, enabling self-regulation and increasing attendance.  Our school  is full of life and has a wealth of resources to spark interest and ignite that passion to achieve, equipping our students for everyday life and the opportunities that await them.

As an Independence Assistant, you will be working as a teaching assistant supporting professionals across the curriculum and school, working directly with students to support their learning, providing 1:1 support and interventions.

Key Accountabilities and Duties:

Work with class teachers to implement support strategies and differentiation within the classroom, creating resources as required and requested

Plan, prepare and deliver learning to individuals, modifying and adapting activities to advance students’ learning as necessary within agreed systems of supervision

Contribute to high quality learning experiences using a variety of delivery and support methods

Support the class teacher, and work individually, to assess, record and report on baseline assessments, development, progress and attainment and use this knowledge and understanding to extend and challenge students’ learning

Provide academic and pastoral support to students in accordance with agreed procedures

Create an outstanding student experience which leads to progression

Promote students’ personal development and independence

Ensure that your practice and conduct is consistently of a high standard

Manage student issues within agreed protocols

Undertake such other reasonable duties as the Headteacher may require from time to time and review this annually with the Headteacher

Participate in the school’s supervision process and to undertake any training that may be appropriate

Support and promote our school ethos and approach

Take appropriate responsibility to ensure the health and safety of self and others

Adhere to the Staff Handbook and Code of Conduct

Pursue the achievement and integration of equal opportunities throughout all The Lion Works School’s activities

Uphold our safeguarding culture of vigilance at all times , ensuring the safeguarding of students is always of paramount importance and follow the school’s safeguarding and child protection policy.

Equal Opportunities:

The Lion Works School will seek to ensure that all existing and potential employees and students are given equal opportunities for employment and education.

It is committed to the elimination of unlawful or unfair discrimination on the grounds of sex, age, marital status, colour, race, nationality or other ethnic or national origin, disability, sexuality, trade union membership or activity and religious background.

The school will seek to ensure that no applicant for employment or education is disadvantaged by conditions or requirements which cannot be justified. The school aims to provide an open welcoming and safe environment for all its students, employees, and visitors.

Safeguarding:

The Lion Works School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and we expect all staff to share this commitment. This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974; pre-employment checks will be conducted; references will be sought, and successful candidates will be subject to an enhanced DBS check and other relevant checks with statutory bodies.

We comply with the Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) code of practice and have a written policy on the recruitment of ex-offenders, both of which are available on request. If you are shortlisted, you will be required to declare any relevant convictions, adult cautions or other matters which may affect your suitability to work with children. As a result of amendments to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (exceptions order 1975) in 2013 and 2020, some minor offences are now protected (filtered) and should not be disclosed to potential employers, and employers cannot take these offences into account.