Educational Teaching Assistant
Dear Applicant
EDUCATION TEACHING ASSISTANT
Thank you for enquiring about this post.
Please find hyperlinks to the following information:
1. Kirklees Generic Job Description
2. Kirklees Generic Employee Specification
Application forms should be returned to Mrs Robinson, School Bursar by Wednesday 5th October 2011.
Shortlisting will take place week commencing 17th October and shortlisted applicants will be contacted by telephone to attend an interview as soon as possible. Interviews will take place during week commencing 7th November. Please indicate any dates on which you will be unavailable for interview from 7th November onwards.
I hope that you will find the following information about the school and the post helpful.
Kirkburton Middle School is a successful and vibrant six-form entry 10-13 Middle School and a member of the popular and successful three-tier Shelley Pyramid (or family) of schools within Kirklees.
Most pupils come to us from First Schools in the surrounding villages of Emley, Farnley Tyas, Highburton, Shelley, Shepley and Thurstonland as well as from Kirkburton itself. Pupils transfer to Shelley Specialist Science College at the end of Year 8. Close links exist at all levels between schools throughout the pyramid, ensuring continuity, progression and efficient transfer between phases.
The three years between the ages of ten and thirteen are characterised by rapid physical, social and emotional change and are of great significance in the academic and social development of young people. Our school provides a welcoming and secure environment in which pupils enter as young children and leave as confident young adults, each developing at the rate that is right for them.
We believe strongly in the importance of the principle of inclusion, the development of the whole child and meeting the needs of the individual.
To this end we provide a broad and balanced curriculum together with an impressive range of out of school and extra-curricular activities.
We believe that development takes place in a calm and orderly atmosphere where young people are encouraged to behave in an appropriate manner and where self-discipline is important and valued. Pupils are encouraged to care for and think of others and members of staff lead by example.
Attendance is excellent, bullying and vandalism are rare and pupils feel safe and well-cared for as a result of the consistent application of policies and practice designed to protect and safeguard their interests. High standards of work, dress and behaviour are maintained and relationships between all members of the school community are excellent.
Partnership between school and parents is a particularly strong feature of the school and is considered to be vital for success. Parents are encouraged to come and discuss their child’s progress and problems at any time, in addition to more formal consultations and Open Days.
The school currently works a 25-period week, lessons are 55 minutes long and with the exception of Maths, English ( and French in Year 8 ) all subjects are taught to mixed ability classes of no more than 29 pupils.
Ofsted most recently inspected the school under the new framework in December 2009. The headline statement was that the school was judged to be good with several outstanding aspects. The report comments very favourably on the provision and support for pupils with additional needs.
We attach fundamental importance to the provision of high quality support for pupils who have additional needs and we are firmly committed to further improvement. A copy of the report can be found on the Ofsted website.
At the moment we have 10 Educational Teaching Assistants (three full-time and seven part-time) who work under the leadership and guidance of a Senior Educational Teaching Assistant and Special Needs Co-ordinator.
The ETA team works as a flexible and mutually supportive unit and whilst an individual pupil may be assigned primarily to one person, generally everyone works across the school with a number of different pupils.
As pupils with additional needs progress through Middle School, we aim to ensure that they develop friendships, self-confidence and self-esteem as well as the skills and attributes they will need for later life. Pupils should be able to access as many areas of school life as possible as unobtrusively as possible and enjoy coming to school.
Support is primarily provided within the classroom, using a range of strategies in order to ensure that pupils remain focused on the lesson and that they can read, understand and record the work that is presented to them.
Some pupils also need help with personal organisation, moving between lessons or close supervision at playtimes and lunchtimes. Others need physical help of a more personal or intimate nature ranging assistance with eating to toileting. Appropriate training to develop confidence and competence would be given for any more specific procedures or supervision that may be required. Respect for pupils’ dignity is paramount at all times.
The school is all on one level, has two purpose-built special needs toilets and is fully accessible for disabled pupils and adults.
Kirkburton Middle School is committed to Safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all members of staff to share this commitment. You will appreciate the need for certain checks to be carried out prior to appointment.
The successful applicant will need to undertake an Enhanced Disclosure CRB check and in addition will need to be able to produce appropriate documentation to the school, either at interview or within twenty-four hours as follows:
- Asylum and Immigration Check – This is normally a passport but please see enclosed document `Asylum & Immigration – List of Specified Documents’ for further details.
- Identity Check – Original documents showing your Name, Date of Birth, Address and Photographic I.D. – see enclosed document `Confirming your Identity’ for further details.
- Qualifications – Appropriate original Further Education documents, e.g. Degree Certificate, PGCE.
If there is anything else that you need to know or if you want to arrange an informal visit before half term, please do not hesitate to phone and speak to Miss Sam Burns (SENCo) or email us with your query and we’ll get back to you as soon as we can.
We look forward to hearing from you.
Yours sincerely,
Gary Johnson (Headteacher)
