Teaching Assistant/Mentor (Prep School) at St Andrew’s School

The Role

St Andrew’s, Prep School is seeking to appoint a Teaching Assistant cum Teaching Mentor who will perform two chief roles.   They will assist the House parents in providing pastoral care within the Boarding House teams and act as model in all areas to pupils within the Boarding House.  They will also assist in providing the very best academic support, through helping with the teaching and learning opportunities for the classes to which they are assigned.   This year, St Andrew's Prep School are looking for Teaching Assistants/Mentors who have some expertise in the following areas.

• English
• Mathematics
• EYFS/Key Stage 1
• Physical and/or Outdoor Education

Key areas of responsibility will be to:-

Boarding and Pastoral

• Promote the welfare of children and to support the School in safeguarding children through relevant policies and procedures
• Maintain good order and discipline among the pupils, safeguarding their health and safety
• Be a Tutor: responsible for the academic and pastoral welfare of a small group of pupils.  This will involve communicating with other staff and parents.
• Provide support and assistance to House Parents
• Be part of the Boarding House team, involved in decision making on the activities, initiatives, routines and pastoral arrangements.
• Perform pastoral duties in the evening and weekends.

Academic

• Provide support and assistance to teachers
• Assist in developing lesson plans based on the School Curriculum planning and the specific needs of each child
• Collaborate with teachers to monitor the development of each child
• Understand the teacher’s routine when it comes to delivering a lesson plan and running the class in the event that the teacher is absent on a particular day
• Work with children in the classroom to promote their learning and development.
• Provide cover for lessons when required. 

St Andrew’s Prep School is committed to providing a vibrant co-curricular and boarding program to which all staff contribute. The applicant will be expected to contribute strongly to the co-curricular life of the School AND be a Scout/Girl Guide Leader.

Person Specification

Working at St Andrew’s Prep School is an exciting and dynamic experience. We look to recruit committed and resourceful staff, who are looking to not only develop their skills and leadership capacities, but also embrace new experiences and challenges.

There are some things that are essential to working with us:

• The successful candidate will need to be able to support the School’s aims and Christian ethos. They will have to have a degree in Education or related field and/or hold a teaching qualification coupled with being a registered teacher with the Teacher's Service Commission.  
• Beyond that we want to have staff who love working as part of a team; who are first class communicators and who are passionate about the subjects and the pupils they teach; who are creative and diligent in their planning; who are adaptable, energetic and resilient.
• Experience of working in a Prep School, or in boarding would be desirable, but not essential. Above all, what matters is a commitment to help us provide a world-class education for our pupils.

Knowledge and Experience

Qualifications

Essential

• A good degree
• Recognized teaching qualification e.g. PGCE
• Registered with TSC (Teacher's Service Commission)

Desirable

• A demonstrable commitment to professional self-improvement

Experience

Essential

• Experience of working with children
• Teaching or supporting children of Prep School age or in a Prep School context in English, Mathematics, EYFS/Key Stage 1, Physical and/or Outdoor Education
• A proven track record of excellent teaching and/or pupil support

Desirable

• Experience of teaching in a Prep School Context 

Skills

Essential

• Excellent communication and inter-personal skills
• Well developed ICT Skills
• Ability to use a range of teaching strategies to support the full range of educational needs

Desirable

• Evidence of being able to lead, manage and be responsible for initiatives/developments
• Knowledge of current generic developments in Key Stage 2 needs

Safeguarding

Essential

• Commitment to the safeguarding and protection of children and to the personal development of our pupils.
• Understanding of the issues surrounding the safeguarding of children and commitment to child welfare and safety

Desirable

• Knowledge of child protection procedures