Role within the school:
To support teaching and learning
Teaching assistants are expected to meet the
following standards:
Personal and professional conduct
Teaching assistants should uphold public trust in the
education profession by:
Having proper and professional regard for the ethos,
policies and practices of the school in which they work as professional members
of staff.
Demonstrating positive attitudes, values and
behaviours to develop and sustain effective relationships with the school
community.
Having regard for the need to safeguard pupils’
well-being by following relevant statutory guidance along with school policies
and practice.
Upholding values consistent with those required from
teachers by respecting individual differences and cultural diversity.
Committing to improve their own practice through
self-evaluation and awareness.
Knowledge and understanding
Teaching assistants are expected to:
Share responsibility for ensuring that their own
knowledge and understanding is relevant and up to date by reflecting on their
own practice, liaising with school leaders, and identifying relevant
professional development to improve personal effectiveness.
Take opportunities to acquire the appropriate skills,
qualifications, and/or experience required for the teaching assistant role,
with support from the school/employer.
Demonstrate expertise and skills in understanding the
needs of all pupils (including specialist expertise as appropriate) and know
how to contribute effectively to the adaptation and delivery of support to meet
individual needs.
Demonstrate a level of subject and curriculum
knowledge relevant to their role and apply this effectively in supporting
teachers and pupils.
Understand their roles and responsibilities within
the classroom and whole school context recognising that these may extend beyond
a direct support role.
Teaching and learning
Teaching assistants are expected to:
Demonstrate an informed and efficient approach to
teaching and learning by adopting relevant strategies to support the work of
the teacher and increase achievement of all pupils including, where
appropriate, those with special educational needs and disabilities.
Promote, support and facilitate inclusion by encouraging
participation of all pupils in learning and extracurricular activities.
Use effective behaviour management strategies
consistently in line with the school’s policy and procedures.
Contribute to effective assessment and planning by
supporting the monitoring, recording and reporting of pupil performance and
progress as appropriate to the level of the role.
Communicate effectively and sensitively with pupils
to adapt to their needs and support their learning.
Maintain a stimulating and safe learning environment
by organising and managing physical teaching space and resources.
Working with others
Teaching assistants are expected to:
Recognise and respect the role and contribution of
other professionals, parents and carers by liaising effectively and working in
partnership with them. With the class teacher, keep other professionals
accurately informed of performance and progress or concerns they may have about
the pupils they work with.
Understand their responsibility to share knowledge to
inform planning and decision making.
Understand their role in order to be able to work
collaboratively with classroom teachers and other colleagues, including
specialist advisory teachers.
Communicate their knowledge and understanding of
pupils to other school staff and education, health and social care
professionals, so that informed decision making can take place on intervention
and provision.
Key Tasks
To be aware of confident in termly/weekly/daily
lesson plans as provided by the class teacher.
Preparation of resources as directed by the
class teacher.
Reinforcement of concepts taught by the class
teacher to small groups/individuals under the guidance of the class teacher.
This may include working with less able/able children in all areas of the
curriculum.
Assisting with general emotional needs of the
children e.g. going to the lavatory, lost property, changing for games,
changing reading books.
Reinforcing school behaviour policy including
the giving of stars and cautions where necessary.
Keeping classroom resources in good order and
completing inventories when required.
Assisting in functions such as plays, sports
days and parties.
In the short term absence of the class teacher,
the TA might cover the class teacher under the guidance of the next available
line manager in the short term. Longer absence longer will probably require a
cover teacher to be arranged if possible and practical. The TA will be expected
to support and work with the cover teacher in such cases.
Other Duties and Responsibilities
Liaising with other TAs to ensure the resource
room is stocked with cut paper etc.
Sitting at a lunch table on a daily basis.
Attending whole staff meetings every Friday
lunch time.
Carrying out duties as laid down in the duty
roster.
Assisting subject teachers as and when needed.
Attendance at all evening functions such as
school concerts, plays and services after which transport home will be provided
by the school.
TAs are more than welcome to volunteer for
school trips as and when they wish.
TAs may be asked, during any non-contact time,
to help with the supervision of children and other duties as deemed necessary
by the teacher or members of SMT.
Liaison with parents will be required from time
to time. Matters of a more difficult, serious or academic nature should be
passed on to the class teacher or relevant member of SMT.
How To Apply
Application should be made by completing this form
and sending it to HR@peponihouse.sc.ke Interested
and qualified? Go to Peponi
House Preparatory School on www.peponischool.org to apply