Teaching Assistant

Are you a reliable, caring, and motivated individual looking for an opportunity to support students in their learning and development?

As a Teaching Assistant in Learning Support, you will play a vital role in helping students achieve their full potential by providing tailored support both in and out of the classroom. Working closely with teaching staff and the wider Learning Support team, you will contribute to creating an inclusive, positive, and engaging learning environment where all students can thrive.

You will support students with a range of learning needs, helping them to access the curriculum, develop confidence, and achieve their academic and personal goals. This may include working with individuals or small groups, assisting with classroom activities, and promoting students' independence and wellbeing throughout the school day.

The successful candidate will be patient, flexible, and committed to supporting young people. You will have excellent communication skills, a positive attitude, and the ability to work effectively as part of a team while building supportive relationships with students and staff alike. This role would suit someone who is passionate about education and making a meaningful difference to students' learning experiences.

Bitterne Park School is an 11-19 mixed, community school and Sixth Form and is set in eighteen acres of grounds overlooking the River Itchen and Riverside Park.

In September 2017, the school moved into its new, state of the art, £24 million building, which has allowed us to fully embrace the ethos and values that the school has been striving for. The bright and modern learning environment is centred around a stunning atrium, which is at the heart of the school. Each of the new classrooms is bright and spacious with fully interactive touch screen projection and improved IT. We are particularly proud of our Performing Arts facilities. We have drama studios, practice rooms, music rooms and a dance studio, in addition to the high specification theatre, dance studio and music facilities in the Sixth Form building.

The school also has a multi-sports hall, tennis courts, netball courts, basketball courts and an outdoor table tennis area as well as a full size, all weather, 3G pitch.

Bitterne Park School has a key role to play in the local community with many local groups using our facilities including the Gantry Youth Theatre.

At Bitterne Park School, our Learning Support Department is dedicated to ensuring that every student can thrive academically, socially and emotionally, regardless of their starting point. We believe that every young person brings a unique combination of strengths, talents and support needs to our community, and we are committed to helping all students unlock their full potential.

Working across our main school and Bitterne Park Sixth Form, our experienced and highly skilled team provides tailored support for students with a wide range of special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). We support learners with communication and interaction needs, cognition and learning difficulties, social, emotional and mental health needs, and sensory or physical disabilities.

Our approach is rooted in inclusion. We work collaboratively with teachers, pastoral teams, parents and carers, specialist practitioners and external agencies to ensure students can access a broad, balanced and ambitious curriculum while fully participating in the life of the school. Alongside high-quality classroom practice, we provide targeted interventions and personalised support that foster independence, resilience, confidence and self-esteem.

The department is led by a team of experienced SEND professionals and specialist practitioners who are passionate advocates for inclusive education. Through strong relationships, careful planning and a commitment to student-centred practice, we strive to create an environment where every student feels understood, valued and empowered to succeed.

Joining the Learning Support Department at Bitterne Park School offers an opportunity to make a meaningful difference as part of a collaborative and forward-thinking team that places inclusion, aspiration and student achievement at the heart of everything it does.

Key Accountabilities & Duties

To work with individuals of groups of children, as directed by the class teacher and/or SENCo, to support subjects and learning across the whole curriculum (according to the requirements of the school, this may include the supervision of a classroom for periods of time.

To establish supportive, caring and secure relationships with the child/ children, promoting respect, self-esteem and a positive, inclusive whole school ethos

To develop knowledge and understanding of specific academic, physical and emotional/behavioural needs of individuals and groups of children and respond to them effectively

To assist the class teacher/SENCo with the planning, development and delivery of suitable programmes of work for pupils (i.e. Individual Education Plans), including those with specific learning needs and/or a statement of Special Educational Needs

To support class teachers to design, create and produce learning activities, materials and resources to support aspects of the curriculum or particular learning outcomes, and to assist and support the children in using them

To help, support and motivate the children, clarifying instructions, encouraging independent learning and behaviour and enabling learning targets and outcomes to be achieved;

To contribute to monitoring and recording pupils’ progress, maintaining records and providing relevant feedback to teachers;

To provide welfare support to the children, including administering First Aid (dependent on training) and attending to personal hygiene and identified medical needs as required

As directed by the Class Teacher or SENCO, to liaise with outside agencies, where appropriate, in respect of individual children.

To assist with general school duties. These may include:

a. Setting up classrooms, preparing resources and displays and tidying and clearing away

b. Supervision of children during playtimes

c. Supervision of children entering and leaving school premises

To contribute to maintaining a safe and healthy environment for children and adults, adhering to all Health and Safety regulations and requirements.

The postholder may be expected to carry out duties other than those given in the job description where the level of responsibility is similar and he/she has appropriate qualifications or receives appropriate training to carry out these duties.

Be enthusiastic about supporting students to achieve their full potential.

Demonstrate a caring and professional approach when working with young people.

Show initiative while working under the direction of teaching staff.

Be committed to inclusive education and supporting students with a range of learning needs.

Work collaboratively with colleagues, parents and external agencies where required.

Maintain high standards of professionalism, attendance and punctuality.