More House School 22-24 Pont Street London SW1X 0AA Tel: 020 7235 2855 Fax: 020 7259 6782 office@morehouse.org.uk

 

Learning Support Assistant
(immediate start until 20th July 2012)

 

This post is a new full-time one which is being established within the Learning Support Department and reflects both the changing and widening remit of this Department and also the growing recognition of a need to support a range of different learning styles within the context of a broadly selective Central London Day School for Girls. It represents an opportunity to experience life in a school environment for a fixed period of time.

The Learning Support Department.

Originally this Department was conceived with the remit such Departments traditionally have within GSA schools, namely to support the academic needs of those pupils who have mild to moderate SpLD, and those who have ESOL needs, as well as the teaching of study skills and liaison with outside agencies. The Department also provides support and data to non - SpLD specialist teachers to allow them the better to focus their teaching on their individual needs. The Department's remit will be widened in 2012- 2013 to take in the support those pupils who may be regarded as gifted and talented, thus supporting the work of More's Household

The Department has access to a dedicated 1:1 teaching room at the top of the school and it is hoped, in the fullness of time, to produce another teaching room. There is a pressure on space within the School's site, so much of the Department's work is within standard class rooms and Library. This is far from ideal but it is a necessary compromise and efforts are made to make sure that all members of the Department get a fair share of use of the specialist room.

The Learning Support Department currently comprises:

R.M. Carlysle - SENCo
S. Reimer - Learning Support co-ordinator (part time FTE 0.8) - currently on maternity leave

1. Williams - ESOL teacher (part-time consultant)

J Jones ~ SpLD specialist (full time).

The Staffing of the Department is also often supplemented by colleagues from other Departments who provide specialist support in the context of their own subjects, such as Art.

About the post

The successful candidate will be expected to undertake a mixture of support, coaching, monitoring and teaching in a mixture of 1:1, small group and whole group teaching. It is possible that some activities will need to be in the lunchtime or after school. Where possible this will be recognised in the arrangements for the rest of their teaching. It will not provide exemption from duties or other aspects of the life of Staff. They will work at the direction of, and under the guidance of, the other experienced members of the Department.

This post is accountable initially to the SENCo and thereafter to the Deputy and the then the Head. This Job Outline should be read in conjunction with the standard teacher's job description as this also applies.

It is anticipated that the successful candidate will not have a formal teaching qualification (either specialist or general) but they will have at least degree level qualifications or the equivalent. They will need a light level of expertise in both written and oral communication, be able to show high levels of empathy, follow direction and also show initiative. A flexible nature and a good sense of humour would also be considerable assets, as would a ‘can do’ attitude. Some experience of the techniques of Study Skills would also be a considerable asset.

Remuneration and holidays.

This post will be governed by the standard contract in place at the time. The annual salary (pro-ratered for the shortened period in which the post will be in existence) is £19,000 and will include paid school holidays. The successful candidate may take meals in the Dining Room free of charge during term time.

Job Outline

It should be noted that this is not an exhaustive list and is designed to establish a base-line for understanding the nature and extent of the job. It should be read in conjunction with the standard, general teacher's Job Description, which also applies.

1. To work with pupils who are within the remit of the Learning Support Department on a 1:1 or small group basis as directed by the SENCo or whomsoever he delegates that task to.
2. To use such methods as may be deemed necessary to support the learning of all pupils within the remit of the Learning Support Department.
3. To support the administrative and assessment work of the SENCo.
4. To provide relevant information and support for Staff outside the Learning Support Department, including helping to maintain the SEN and G&T registers and the guidance sheets for Staff
5. To provide relevant information and support for parents when directed so to do by the SENCo.
6. To help the SENCo and other members of Staff to determine which pupils should be within the remit of the Learning Support Department.
7. To maintain good records in relation to the pupils' progress.

 

The application procedure.

A letter of application, outlining the main reasons for applying for this post, along with a full cv should be e-mailed to Robert Carlysle (Headmaster) at jobs@morehousemail.org.uk no later than Saturday 11th February 2012.  

Job Description ~ general

Responsibilities of all Staff

 

1.         To teach the pupils assigned in each class, in accordance with their educational needs, including the setting and assessment of work to be carried out in school or elsewhere.

2.         To write reports for parents as required and to provide and up-date information on an individual pupil's progress as required by the Headmaster.

3.         To attend meetings:-
            i)          Staff Meetings
            ii)         Departmental Meetings
            iii)        Open Evenings
            iv)        Parents' Evenings
            v)         Options Evenings to advise on subject choices

            At Departmental Meetings to share in the planning within the Department:-
            i)          to help to develop the curriculum
            ii)         to review methods of teaching
            iii)        to assess the progress of pupils
            iv)        to help organise departmental resources

4.         To attend:-
            i)          Study Days
            ii)         INSET training

5.         To keep an attendance register at each lesson.

6.         To contribute to the wider education of the pupils where appropriate to the work of the department.

7.         To attend Assembly and other school functions such as Prizegiving, Carol Services and Mass when arranged for the whole school.

8.         To assist in the pastoral role of the school as a form tutor or deputy form tutor, including attending and helping to plan Form Mass and Form Assemblies.

9.         To assist in the maintenance of good discipline.

10.       To implement any local regulations concerning Health and Safety and to promote the safety of pupils, both on the school premises and when they are engaged on authorised school activities elsewhere.

11.       To share in supervisory duties, according to the rotas arranged by the Deputy Head, and to provide reasonable cover for absent colleagues.

It should be noted that this is not an exhaustive list and that other professional duties and expectations may be required as dictated by the situation and context.

Subject specific duties and responsibilities are in addition to the general duties outlined above. It should be noted that nationally agreed workload agreements which apply to the Maintained sector, such as ‘rarely cover’ provision, do not apply in More House School