Teaching Assistant

About Us

Harris Primary Academy Orpington is an ambitious and welcoming academy located less than twenty minutes from both Orpington and St Mary Cray train stations, with ample on-site parking also available.

We believe that every child is unique and deserves the opportunity to be happy, secure and successful. Our large grounds support a rich extra-curricular offer and allow us to take learning beyond the classroom - including through Forest School in our dedicated Learning in Nature woodland. At the heart of our academy is our dedicated Additional Resource Provision for Autism (ARP), supporting eighteen children. This integral part of our community reflects our commitment to inclusivity and ensuring every child receives the tailored support they need to thrive.

Our aim is to provide every child with a well-rounded, ambitious and enjoyable education that enables them to succeed academically, physically and emotionally, preparing them for life beyond school.

Our Core Values - Ready, Respectful and Safe - underpin everything we do, creating a calm, purposeful environment where children can thrive. We are committed to moulding individuals to be the very best they can be - and we are relentless in our ambition for them. We are unapologetic in our belief that our children should have access to any opportunity offered in more advantaged settings. We believe in educational equity in its fullest sense - academically, culturally and socially. Whether through sport, music, the arts or academic excellence, we seek out and create opportunities that challenge expectations and raise aspirations.

That is the standard we set for ourselves, and the promise we make to our community.

If you share our belief in the transformative power of education and are ready to make a lasting impact, we invite you to apply to join our dedicated team.

Summary

Harris Primary Academy Orpington is looking for a Teaching Assistant to support individuals and groups of children, including those with SEN. The successful candidate will be involved in first aid related matters and have a basic knowledge of SEND and learning barriers.

Main Areas of Responsibility

Your role will include:

• Supervising and supporting identified children, in 1:1, group or whole class situations, ensuring their safety and access to learning
• Assisting in the development of appropriate resources, schemes of work and teaching strategies
• Assisting in evaluating identified children's progress
• Providing detailed and regular feedback to teachers on children's achievement, progress and needs
• Leading small group sessions and interventions
• Attending to children's personal needs where required, including social, health, physical, hygiene, first aid and welfare matters
• Supporting with behaviour management
• Contributing towards a purposeful and supportive learning environment.
• Undertaking structured and agreed learning activities/teaching programmes, adjusting activities to ensure achievement of learning goals
• Assisting with the supervision of children out of lesson times, such as playtime and lunchtime duty
• Establishing good relationships with children, acting as a role model
• Promoting the inclusion and acceptance of all children, supporting difference and ensuring that all have equal access to opportunities to learn and develop
• Supporting children with their learning and development in areas such as literacy, numeracy, Key Stage and/or subject specific
• Encouraging children to interact with others and engage in activities
• Preparing and clearing the classroom assisting with the display of children's work
• Preparing and maintaining equipment and resources and supporting children in their use
• Undertaking record keeping
• Establishing and maintaining positive relationships with parents/carers
• Providing general administrative support

Qualifications & Experience

We would like to hear from you if you have:

• Qualifications to degree level or equivalent
• Basic knowledge of SEND and learning barriers
• Some knowledge of strategies in working with young people with challenging behaviours
• Knowledge of some of the social issues facing students from disadvantaged backgrounds
• Awareness of Health and Safety issues in the workplace.
• Experience of working directly with young people in an education or training environment, supporting the learning of students.
• Experience of establishing and maintaining positive working relationships with a range of stakeholders, at all levels.
• Experience of managing and being responsible for own workload.

For a full job description and person specification, please download the Job Pack.

Professional Development & Benefits

Our people are at the heart of our success. We have developed a strong culture of collaboration and best practice, with professional development and career planning at its centre. We invest in our staff with support, coaching, mentoring, and a wide range of top-quality training programmes delivered at every level.

In addition to the opportunities for career development and progression, we also offer a competitive rewards and benefits package which includes our Harris Allowance for teachers on MPS/UPS, a Performance and Loyalty Bonus, Pension Scheme with generous employer contributions, a Wellbeing Cash Plan and many other benefits. Learn more about our benefits on our website.

Safeguarding Notice

The Harris Federation and all our academies are committed to ensuring the highest levels of safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people, and we expect all our staff and volunteers to share this commitment. All offers of employment are subject to an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check, references, an online search, and where applicable, a prohibition from teaching check will be completed.

Equal Opportunities

The Harris Federation is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applications from all suitably qualified candidates.

We value the diversity of our staff and students, and everyone at the Harris Federation is equally valued and respected. We aim to be an inclusive employer that reflects the communities we serve. We are committed to providing a fair, equitable and mutually supportive learning and working environment.

Next Steps

If you have any questions about this opportunity, please send us an email, or call to arrange a conversation.

Before applying, please download the Job Pack for full details on the job responsibilities and person specification. This will be helpful for you when completing your application, and throughout the recruitment process.

We encourage you to apply as soon as possible as we may interview and offer to a candidate before the closing date. Please note that we only accept applications submitted before the closing date via our careers website.