Why be a Teaching Assistant at a New Horizons Primary Academy?

• To work with a dedicated, open and approachable Line Manager – the Assistant Head for Inclusion – in a school where you are highly valued and appreciated for your professional role by the classroom teachers and the Senior Leadership Team alike.

   

  “It’s great working as part of the team of TAs at Seaside – everyone is supportive and generous in sharing good practice so you really feel as though you’re making a difference.”

  Harriet, SEN Teaching Assistant

   

• To join our great team of experienced and supportive TAs – regular TA team meetings and collaborative work allow our TAs to share skills and learn from each other.

• To benefit from an effective induction programme including session-specific training (e.g. Phonics) and observations of more experienced Teaching Assistant colleagues.

  As a teaching assistant at New Horizons Seaside, you really do see the results of your hard work! You really make a difference!

  Jackie, Year 4 Teaching Assistant

• To work within tried and tested systems and procedures to help you support class teachers in delivering high quality lessons across the curriculum.

• To be given meaningful responsibility in delivering specific interventions to groups of children. Support is always given to help you plan and resource each session.

• To be given insightful feedback and ways forward as part of the teachers’ observation cycle to help you develop your own teaching practice with groups of children.

• To work in a modern, purpose-built and well-organised working environment.

• To be fully included in the setting and reviewing of targets for pupils with SEND as part of the half-termly Provision Map review meetings with the Assistant Head for Inclusion and to attend Annual Review meetings for any child with an EHCP.

• To be given the opportunity to participate in and lead aspects of our three amazing residential trips to the Isle of Wight, the New Forest and Cornwall.

   

• To be offered regular CPD opportunities:

   

• Speech and Language Training for all EYFS staff and any TAs delivering specific intervention groups.
• Direct support from the NHS Speech and Language therapist to ensure that targets are being met and strategies are given to any adult working with children.
• All TAs have taken part in a Sensory Workshop delivered by the Occupational Therapists
• Ten TAs have recently achieved a Level Two award (CACHE) in Understanding Children and Young People's Mental Health.
• One TA from each year group undertook Level 2 award (CACHE) in Supporting Behaviour Management in Schools
• Five TAs have undertaken and successfully passed an Autism Awareness Award
• De-escalation training delivered to all TAs and MDMS
• All TAs invited to take part in Attachment Training delivered by Your Space Therapies
• All TAs invited to take part in further Attachment Training delivered by Hampshire County Council
• RWI training delivered by in-school 'experts' including opportunities for peer observations
• Dyslexia support and training delivered by in-school 'expert'
• Opportunities facilitated and organised to visit local special schools to support individual children and their needs
• Opportunities to meet with Social Communication and Learning and Behaviour advisory teachers on a regular basis.

 

Working as Teaching Assistants in Year 6 has provided us with fantastic opportunities to develop and improve our skills through the training courses provided. We are made to feel included and valued as equal members of the team, often being asked to draw on our previous experiences and knowledge when supporting children both in class and during interventions.

Kay and Sharon, New Horizons Seaside