Educational Teaching Assistant – Inclusion Lead - Westborough High School

Westborough High School is an 11-16 comprehensive school with a passionate commitment to making a difference to children’s lives and ensuring that all pupils have the highest possible learning experience.

If you are resilient with a positive, ' can do ' attitude and a calm and proactive approach and would like to be part of our dynamic inclusion team and teach in ' Succeed,' our onsite alternative provision, then Westborough could be your next move.

We provide a broad and balanced educational provision for 15 pupils whose needs cannot be met in mainstream for a variety of reasons including challenging behaviour and complex Social and Emotional and Mental Health needs.

The successful candidate will have a passion for empowering disadvantaged young people through education within a nurturing environment. 

You will be a group leader for one of the three teaching groups, teach across the inclusion centre and take part in and plan enrichment activities with the full cohort.

Applicants should ideally have a good knowledge and experience of working with disaffected pupils in a mainstream primary or secondary school, a Pupil Referral Unit, an Alternative Provision or SEND setting. 

An affinity for pupils with complex backgrounds and learning needs is an essential quality for this rewarding opportunity.

The successful applicant will be part of a dedicated, creative and supportive staff team who thrive on making a real difference every day to the lives of vulnerable young people. 

Essential qualities for all applicants include amongst other things:

• Ability to plan and deliver lessons and tailored interventions to pupils with SEMH needs
• The ability to effectively communicate with children/young people, school staff, parents and outside agencies.
• An understanding of child development and learning including Special Educational Needs
• An understanding of Child Protection Procedures
• An understanding of the needs of pupils with complex Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH) needs who have suffered from adverse childhood experiences and trauma
• Experience of mentoring and one to one support with young people, including those with challenging behaviour.
• The ability to work both independently and as part of a team
• Willingness to undertake first aid training
• You will need to hold a full driving licence.

You will be a key member of our successful and vibrant Inclusion Team, working in ‘Succeed’ which is our on-site alternative provision for pupils with complex SEMH needs. You will be responsible for the teaching and learning of a small group of the school’s most challenging high tariff pupils. You will be this group’s key adult and responsible for them throughout the day. You will be part of ‘Succeed’ and will work alongside subject specialist teachers as well as other members of the Succeed team with senior leaders, teaching and support staff to help our pupils achieve their very best outcomes.

You will require excellent interpersonal skills to build strong, positive relationships with teenagers, parents, external agencies and school staff.

(Please refer to the Job Description and Person Specification for full details)

As a valued member of our team we can offer:

• Clear and shared values and expectations
• A commitment to tailored professional development
• A stimulating work environment
• An experienced, highly committed and supportive leadership team

If you are dynamic and are full of initiative and have the vision and drive for excellence and want to be part of an enthusiastic, dedicated and well-resourced team, committed to ensuring that pupils not only achieve their potential, but exceed it, then we would like to hear from you.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. All staff are subject to an enhanced DBS check. A conviction may not exclude candidates from appointment but will be considered as part of the recruitment process.

You are warmly welcomed to visit our school to meet other staff and to see for yourself what a great place Westborough is to work.

If you require further information about the role, please contact the school on telephone: 01924 469549 or you can visit the school website at www.w-h-s.org.uk.

Applications to be returned for the attention of Fiona Sharp fsharp@w-h-s.org.uk by 9.00 a.m. on 7 July 2022.  (Interviews likely to be 15 July 2022)