Teaching Assistant (SEN )

Your career #EMATters! We are currently recruiting for a Teaching Assistant who thinks beyond the classroom. We are an organisation that recognises and values its diverse workforce. Join us at EMAT to be part of a team that values innovation, inclusivity, and impact.

About EMAT

EMAT is an exciting, innovative, and growing organisation where we strive to do things differently, aligned with our core values and purpose: that every child deserves to be the best they can be. Our Trust was incorporated in July 2012 to establish, maintain, manage, and develop academies and free schools as world-class centres of excellence. We are a collaborative partnership that currently includes an all-through school in Northampton, a secondary school in Oundle, and five primary schools in Northamptonshire and Milton Keynes. By working for our Trust, you’ll be able to take advantage of a wealth of professional development and support opportunities, as well as a range of employee benefits.

These include:

• Continuous professional development and training opportunities.
• Career and leadership opportunities within our growing family of schools.
• A confidential 24-hour Employee Assistance Programme.
• Access to the Teachers’ Pension Scheme.
• A corporate eye care plan.
• Flu jabs for all staff.
• Cycle to work scheme.
• Access to health and wellbeing benefits, including an online GP.
• Access to an employee lifestyle savings platform.
• Generous family leave.

About the School

Shepherdswell is a two-form entry infant school on the Springfield Estate in Milton Keynes with capacity for 180 children across EYFS and KS1, with an eight-pupil place social communication department at Orchard Academy. We have recently opened our nursery and wrap care to provide the very best provision for all pupils. At Shepherdswell Academy we truly believe that the children are at the centre of all be do. We have a strong inclusive ethos, making our school a place where we all belong, this includes the children, adults parents and the wider community. Our children are eager to learn, and we promote positive learning behaviours, so all succeed. Our dedicated staff encourage all our children to learn and grow, by providing a rich, relevant and ambitious curriculum through high quality teaching and learning. Our Five C’s, courage, curiosity, collaboration, creativity and community underpin all we do, and we are proud to be part our diverse community and promote wellbeing for all, recently achieving the St Andrew’s Lightbulb Mental Health and Wellbeing Certificate. We are looking for someone who shares our vision and ethos to join our amazing team. If you think you are that person, we encourage you to visit our school and apply for this exciting new role and become the next member of our Shepherdswell Family.

General Roles and Responsibilities:

·       Undertake work and responsibilities in line with the Standards for Teaching Assistants

·       Be responsible and accountable for achieving the highest possible standards in work and conduct

·       Treat pupils with dignity, building relationships rooted in mutual respect, and at all times observing proper boundaries appropriate to a Teaching Assistant’s professional position

·       Work proactively and effectively in collaboration and partnership with learners, parents/carers, governors, other staff and external agencies in the best interests of pupils

·       Take responsibility for promoting and safeguarding the welfare of children and young people within the school

·       Promote the inclusion of all pupils, ensuring equal opportunities for all

·       Assist in the planning, review and delivery of the curriculum for small groups and individuals, including targeted support and interventions across the school

·       Complement the work of teachers by taking responsibility for learning activities, this may involve joint-planning with teachers, preparing and delivering learning activities for individuals and groups, or short term for whole classes

·       Contribute to the monitoring pupils and assessing, recording and reporting on pupils’ achievement, progress and development

·       A wide range of learning opportunities to develop your skills 

For more information or an informal conversation, please contact hrqueries@emat.uk.

A Note for Recruitment Agencies

We have a team of internal recruiters, and we advertise our vacancies to attract candidates and not agency suppliers. If we need agency assistance, then we will reach out to our trusted partners. Any speculative CVs we receive will not be accepted as an introduction.

EMAT reserves the right to withdraw this advert early if a suitable candidate is found.

EMAT is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Applicants will be required to undergo child protection screening appropriate to the post, including checks with past employers and the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS). References will be taken up before interviews are offered.

We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all suitably qualified persons regardless of their race, sex, disability, religion/belief, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, or age.

EMAT encourage a “Speak Up” culture where colleagues are encouraged to raise any concerns relating to risk or wrongdoing. You will be responsible for ensuring that colleagues are supported where necessary to raise concerns without blame or recrimination and should pro-actively raise concerns should they come to your attention.