The Portsmouth Grammar School - Higher Level Teaching Assistant (Learning Support)

Summary

Seeking a Higher Level Teaching Assistant to assess and support pupils across the Junior and Senior School at PGS.

Detail

The Portsmouth Grammar School is a leading co-educational school located in the historic heart of Portsmouth. We are very much a family school known for excellent teaching, superb pastoral care and wide-ranging co-curricular opportunities and offer an education across the age range from Pre-School to Sixth Form.

We are looking for a well-qualified Higher Level Teaching Assistant to assess and support pupils across the Junior and Senior School at PGS. Reporting to the Head of Learning Support (SENCO), the role holder will help remove barriers to academic progress and provide individually tailored learning and personal support to an agreed cohort of pupils. They will work on a one-to-one basis with a caseload of pupils, referred by the Head of Learning Support, and provide additional support for pupils in danger of not fulfilling their potential, in a manner that complements the existing academic and pastoral support structures in place. We welcome applications from candidates who can offer relevant qualifications as follows:

Essential

A good standard of education with GCSE English and Mathematics at Grade C/Grade 4 or above

Desirable

NVQ Level 4 Higher Level Teaching Assistant or relevant Foundation Degree or Degree qualifications

HLTA status, PGCE or QTS

In addition, the successful candidate will be able to demonstrate and evidence a willingness to work towards accreditation as an HLTA and will be able to show evidence of their ability to work within the competencies as set out in the HLTA Standards framework in the HLTA National Assessment Partnership.

Learning Support is a well-established and integral part of the school, based in a newly refurbished and well-appointed suite of offices and flexible teaching spaces. Teaching and HLTA support within the department aims to build upon all pupils’ neurodiverse strengths and develop their independent learning skills. Pupils may be seen one-to-one or in small groups for variable lengths of time or numbers of sessions, and these are usually arranged on a half-termly rotational basis. The focus of the support for individual pupils is dependent on their needs but could encompass: literacy; numeracy; study skills; revision techniques; and curriculum support. Particular assistance is provided for those pupils with a specific additional educational need or difficulty (including, but not limited to, dyslexia, dyspraxia, attention difficulties and hearing or visual impairments in some form) but, beyond that, a range of support can be offered for any pupil in the school who is identified as benefitting from working with the department. Underpinning effective support is the early identification of pupils’ strengths and weaknesses through a comprehensive group screening procedure for all new entrants to the school, followed by further individual testing, where necessary.

PGS is an all-through school from ages 2½ to 18 and this role will involve opportunities for work, and personal and professional career development, across all key stages and sectors of the school. The Learning Support Department is line managed by the Deputy Head (Teaching and Learning).

This post is a permanent, full-time, term time only role, to include attendance at all Professional Development (INSET) days in the school calendar. The hours of work will be 37.5 per week, Monday – Friday 8.30am to 4.30pm, or Monday – Friday 8.00am to 4.00pm (to suit the successful candidate) with an unpaid 30 minutes for lunch.

How to apply:

Candidates are asked to apply using the online form linked to our advert on www.tes.com

Any enquires about the role or how to apply are welcome at recruitment@pgs.org.uk

The closing date is midday on Monday 20th May 2024 and interviews will be scheduled to take place on the school site in the week commencing Monday 3rd June, with interviews likely to be held on Thursday 6th June.

The School 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). The School may carry out online searches on shortlisted applicants and applicants may be required to provide details of their online profile, including social media account names/handles, as part of their application.

The post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. The School is therefore permitted to ask job applicants to declare all convictions and cautions on a self-declaration form in advance of attending an interview (including those which are ‘spent’ unless they are ‘protected’ under the DBS filtering rules) in order to assess their suitability to work with children.

Documents

• PGS Job Description - Higher Level Teaching Assistant

Further Information

https://www.tes.com/jobs/vacancy/higher-level-teaching-assistant-learning-support-portsmouth-2054194