About the role: Hartley Primary Academy is a two form entry school with 14 classes in total. Our school has beautiful, extensive grounds and a range of teaching and learning facilities. We are fortunate to have a friendly and hardworking staff, both teaching and non-teaching and we have a very talented and multi-skilled team of Teaching Assistants who are led and managed by an excellent SENCO.

Our children come from a range of backgrounds and cultures and their needs are diverse. Behaviour for learning is outstanding, resulting in a positive and fulfilling work experience.

We are seeking to appoint a committed and enthusiastic Teaching Assistant to join us to support in key stage 2. This is an ideal role for those who genuinely have a passion for helping children particularly with learning difficulties as the role requires the candidate to spend time working on a 1:1 basis with pupils with SEN. Whilst the majority of the role will involve supporting SEN pupils there will also be opportunities to work across the year group with a variety of pupils.

The successful candidate will:

Be aware of and support school policies and procedures.
Work, or play, with individuals, or small groups of children, to assist in the delivery of the planned curriculum, as directed by the Class Teacher.
Set up group activities under the guidance of the Class Teacher / Subject Leaders. Work with children on practical activities, giving assistance and encouragement.
Read to, and with, small groups of children, on curriculum activities.
Assist in the planning, creation and mounting of displays of the children’s work.
Provide support and assistance for children’s pastoral needs (e.g. promoting self-esteem, and overall well-being of the child
Have a willingness to provide cover duties for some lessons, when required.
Be prepared to work across all age ranges within the Primary School.

The successful candidate will have:

A hard working and flexible attitude.
A passion for working with children.
The ability to carry out designated tasks in an accurate and timely manner.
The ability to work as part of a team.
The ability to be creative and use initiative to engage children.
The ability to work under pressure, with enthusiasm, motivation and commitment.
Strong listening skills and the ability to prioritise, manage time effectively and remain calm under pressure.
Strong verbal and communication skills appropriate to the need to communicate effectively with a wide range of pupils, colleagues and parents.

Working for Hartley Primary Academy: Hartley Primary Academy is a happy, thriving and “OUTSTANDING” (Ofsted rated) primary school based in KENT. We inspire our children to aim high and succeed, equipping them with the necessary skills and knowledge for the future. We promote understanding, respect and tolerance for each other. Our School vision is for HAPPY, POSITIVE, ACHIEVERS and we want to be able to provide all the support our children need to achieve this both emotionally and academically. We have an amazing team of teachers and teaching assistants and we are currently working towards the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme, giving scope to teach in a creative way. We also have extensive grounds and wooded areas that are used for teaching.

Our aim is to create a positive, stimulating and happy learning environment with spacious buildings and grounds, enabling children to succeed and realise their full potential. We promote their academic, spiritual, moral, cultural and physical development to prepare them for future opportunities, responsibilities and experiences.

We are committed to providing all children with the same opportunities, regardless of gender, race, creed or culture. We are wholly committed to creating a learning environment which is safe and secure, stimulating and exciting, in order that our children come to school with a feeling of anticipation and enthusiasm.

Being part of Leigh Academies Trust: As of 1st September 2021, our Trust will comprise 31 geographically organised academies (15 secondaries, 14 primaries and 2 special) educating 20,000 students, and employing 2,500 talented staff. The Trust is establishing four ‘clusters’ of academies: North West Kent; Central Kent; South East London; Medway. In addition, the Trust is responsible for one of the region’s biggest initial teaching training organisations, a large teaching school hub and is an accredited apprenticeship provider. Click here to view our future plans in our Vision 2025 document.

As part of Leigh Academies Trust you will have ample opportunity to collaborate with your peers both within the academy and across the whole Trust. This is an important part of our vision as we know through experience that we perform better when we work together. You are supported to undertake regular self-development to continue your professional development and hopefully progress further within the organisation.

Our commitment to safeguarding: Leigh Academies Trust and all of our academies are committed to ensuring the highest levels of safeguarding and promoting the welfare of our pupils, and we expect all our staff and volunteers to share this commitment. We adopt a fair, robust and consistent recruitment process across all academies and business units. All offers of employment are subject to an Enhanced DBS check, references, and where applicable, a prohibition from teaching check.

Our commitment to equality and diversity: As a Trust we are passionate about diversity and recognise that as individuals, we all bring something unique to the role regardless of any protected characteristics which is why we treat all of our people equally, without compromise. We are committed to providing equality and fairness throughout our recruitment and employment practices and not to discriminate on any grounds.

Based on the quality and quantity of applications received, Leigh Academies Trust reserves the right to close this vacancy sooner than the specified closing date. Applicants will be notified of this where possible. Therefore, early applications are encouraged.