Pre-Prep Teaching Assistant

Part Time (3 days a week (0.6), exact timings are negotiable)

Witham Hall is a happy and thriving co-educational boarding and day prep school, set within superb grounds on the Lincolnshire/Rutland border. At the heart of the School is a magnificent Queen Ann country house, surrounded by a number of new buildings that are testimony to the ongoing success of the school. These include purpose built Pre-Prep and Prep classrooms, a superb concert hall for music and drama, outstanding facilities for sport and -most recently -a superb new Science and Resource Centre.

Structure

There are 90 pupils in the Pre-Prep (4-8 years) and 160 in the Prep (8-13years). Pupil numbers are strong, with waiting lists at most levels. The Pre-Prep is day only, whereas in the Prep pupils can flexi-board (1-4 nights a week) or weekly board (5 nights). Over 75% of pupils in the Prep board for one or more nights each week. Pupils from year 4 and above have Saturday school; all children, both day and boarding, go home on a Saturday afternoon following sport. Pupils move in to the Prep at the end of Year 3, and there they join one of two Year 4 classes. Within Prep, the maximum class size is 17 and pupils move through to the end of year 5 in mixed ability classes. Pupils move on to a range of leading Independent Senior Schools at 13, both regionally (including Oundle, Oakham, Uppingham and Stamford) and nationally.

The position

The Teaching Assistant at Witham Hall Pre-Prep is a professional member of the staff team helping to provide a stimulating atmosphere in which children can learn and develop through play and other activities. All staff members have a responsibility for safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children at Witham Hall. Pastoral care has a high priority, and the successful candidate will be highly committed to this aspect of the job.

The Pre-Prep is made up of Reception and two classes (of 15 pupils maximum) in each of Years 1, 2 and 3. The successful candidate will act as a teaching assistant to classes within Years 2 and 3, working closely with the four class teachers across these year groups.

Terms of the Post

• The position is effective from 3 November 2014, or before if possible.
• The position is for three days a week, to be discussed and determined with the Head of Pre-Prep. Within the three days the position is full-time (0815-1530), with an additional requirement to help supervise crèche on two evenings a week (1530-1715) which is salaried separately and in addition to the teaching assistant post.
• The teaching assistant position carries a salary of £13,000 per annum full time, which equates to £7,800 per annum for the three day a week position.
• The successful candidate will ideally hold a minimum of a Level 3 Teaching Assistant qualification and have experience of working with children of Pre-Prep age.

Each and every member of staff, both teaching and non-teaching, contributes to the outstanding team spirit that prevails at Witham Hall. Therefore, professionalism, flexibility, and a willingness to develop communicative, respectful and supportive relationships are all vital qualities.

Inspection Reports

Copies of our most recent Independent School Inspectorate reports can be viewed as follows: http://www.isi.net/schools/7257/

Applications

Applications should be made by hand-written letter, accompanied by a CV and fully completed application form.

They should be sent to: Mrs Lis Pinner, HR Manager, Witham Hall School, Witham-on-the Hill, Bourne, Lincolnshire, PE10 0JJ, Tel: 01778 590222 Email: lpinner@withamhall.com

The closing date for applications is Wednesday 24th September 2014.

Witham Hall School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and applicants must be willing to undergo child protection screening appropriate to the post, including checks with current and previous employers and the Disclosure and Barring Service.

Pre-Prep Teaching Assistant - Job Description

Responsible to: The Head of Pre-Prep and Year 2&3 Class Teachers

Main duties include:

• Guiding and assisting each child generally, according to their individual needs, using knowledge of their differing levels of development and ability, working alongside the class teacher and where appropriate the learning support teacher
• Extending and developing language skills by talking, listening and reading
• Assisting in the general supervision of classroom, crèche and play time activities
• Develop good working relationships with the parents as well as the pupils
• Supporting and supervising children on outings and visits
• Participating in the preparation of the resources for teaching, either for the class teacher or for a group that you may taking for an activity
• Helping with the display of children's work
• Help inform the class teachers of any informal assessment and the development of each child
• Liaising with the Head of Pre-Prep regularly and participate in regular appraisal

Continuing Professional Development includes:

• Attendance at Full Staff meetings and Staff INSET days which tend to occur on the first two weekdays before the start of a new term; assistants are also welcome to attend weekly Pre-Prep staff meetings
• A willingness to update first aid expertise and observe high standards of safety
• The undertaking of Child Protection Training as required and in line with the Witham Hall School Safeguarding Children Policy
• Attendance at any available training suggested by the CPD co-ordinator, or any local area cluster groups as appropriate
• And finally, to endeavour to carry out any duties considered by the Headmaster/Head of Pre-Prep to be necessary to the smooth running of the school.