GROUP SEND SUPPORT EYFS TA VACANCY TA2

 (28 hours, Monday - Friday, term-time only)

St. Luke’s is a warm and welcoming primary school, close to the beach and pinewoods in Formby.  Our vision and values are at the core of everything we do, underpinning our teaching and learning to provide an environment that prepares our pupils to be happy and confident, taking an active role in their community and the wider world.

Our overarching Christian Value is Love; it is at the heart of all we do and has enabled us to build a strong team, working flexibly and dynamically to meet the needs of all our pupils. 

We have a vacancy for a full-time position (a job share agreement for mornings / afternoons or 2/3 days would be considered) to support a small group of pupils within the Reception environment.   The role is dependent on continued funding for these pupils and will initially be until the end of the summer term 2025, when funding will be reviewed.

Information specific to these pupils' needs:

The named pupils in the group all have neuro-diverse profiles and communication difficulties - some of these communication difficulties are linked to ASD.  A flexible, multi-sensory approach is required to meet the pupils’ individual needs, enabling them to develop and embed strategies to help them access teaching and learning in the Reception setting in a meaningful way.  The successful candidate will work closely with the classroom teams, SENCO, parents and external professionals to provide high-quality provision, tailored to the pupils’ needs.

Requirements of the role:

To address the pupils’ learning difficulties - working closely with the classroom team, SENDCO and external professionals - the successful candidate will create an environment that reflects the needs and supports the inclusion of children with difficulties in accessing learning.  Particular attention will be given to:

• the physical structure of the classroom (desk placement, work group spaces, etc).
• personalised visual timetables, with procedures for dealing with change and transition throughout the day.
• assistance for the pupils to integrate at an appropriate and meaningful level with peers, both in classroom activities and at playtimes.
• personalisation of tasks to support the pupils’ understanding, allowing them to access a full, broad curriculum
• delivery of activities and interventions in small-group format to meet the needs of these and other pupils in the classroom/year group.

To address the pupils’ personal, social and emotional development, the successful candidates will:

• help the pupil develop relationships with adults and peers through close support and guidance, building the pupils’ confidence.
• oversee and support the pupils to access structured play, both within the classroom environment and in outdoor spaces, modelling and encouraging play practice and play-based learning.
• facilitate tasks and activities to allow the pupils to demonstrate their individual strengths, within and beyond the classroom.

To address the pupils’ specific communication and interaction difficulties, the successful candidates will:

• deliver individualised Speech & Language activities and materials, under the guidance of the NHS Speech & Language team.
• adapt teacher input to ensure the pupils are able to understand and engage with learning opportunities.
• be mindful of their own communication and interaction models, ensuring the level and complexity of language used is appropriate to the pupils’ needs.

Successful candidates will also:

Support the school:

• maintain close links between home and school.
• liaise, advise and consult with other members of the team supporting the pupil when asked to do so.
• be aware of confidential issues linked to home/pupils/teachers/school and to keep confidences appropriately.
• assist with the promotion/celebration of pupils' work through display at the direction of the class teacher.
• be aware of and adhere to school policies and procedures.
• Attend relevant training, including INSET days as requested.
• Perform any other tasks, as directed by the Headteacher, which fall within the purview of the post.

A fixed term contract until the end of the summer term 2025 is available in the first instance.

Please apply by submitting a Sefton Application Pack to be sent to Mrs Cowey by 4pm prompt on Wednesday 19^th June 2024.

Shortlisted candidates will then be invited for selection by competitive interview on Thursday 27^th June 2024.

NB It is our usual practice to conduct an online footprint check on the successful candidate.  Any offer made will be dependent on references and an enhanced DBS check.