Classroom Support Assistant (Term-time only)

We are looking to appoint enthusiastic, creative and dedicated Classroom Support Assistants to be part of the Inclusion and Support Faculty. Crestwood Community School is one school with two separate campuses serving central Eastleigh with a large Inclusion and Support Faculty which is overseen by the Achievement Leader for Inclusion and Support. The successful applicant will be joining Crestwood at an exciting time as the faculty is developing and continuing to grow in not only size but also expertise. We are currently oversubscribed, this is due to our reputation in the local community for our culture of care, pastoral systems and SEN support. We are looking for somebody who can continue to contribute to this culture and support the provision of pupils in order to meet their needs.

A HLTA in the Inclusion and Support Faculty stated: "The Inclusion and Support Faculty is a rewarding place to work, where I am able to work with a friendly and supportive team. Everyday we deal with pupils who have complex and demanding needs, we support them to achieve their full potential."

The role of a Classroom Support Assistant is vital in supporting the academic, personal, emotional and social development of pupils in their lessons and during the school day. Primarily this role will entail working in partnership with class teachers, Provision Leads and the SENCO to ensure that pupils are able to access the curriculum, provide in-class support and emotional support to pupils in and out of lessons. The successful candidate must also be willing to deliver high quality interventions and education packages during tutor and lesson time, contribute to pupil's annual reviews and provide support during exams. The school runs two resourced provisions: one for Specific Learning Difficulties (SpLD), the other for Social, Emotional and Mental Health Needs (SEMH). We are therefore a unique place to gain deep experience across a broad range of learning needs.

These positions require someone who can empathise with students whilst holding them to high expectations. Good communication skills and an ability to clarify and explain instructions clearly are essential. You must be professionally discreet, have well developed interpersonal skills and a good sense of humour. The ability to build appropriate and effective relationships with staff, students and parents is essential. All applicants must have good literacy and numeracy skills and the physical stamina to effectively support a range of students.

All staff in the Inclusion Support Faculty are required to have a specialism in an area of need, the successful candidate will either be required to have a specialism or undertake CPD to develop an understanding of an area of need.

Crestwood Community School had an Ofsted inspection in February 2024, which confirmed that we continue to be a 'good' school. The report stated that at Crestwood "there is a welcoming, friendly atmosphere". They also said that "teachers and support staff, including those in the early stages of their career, are proud to work at the school. They particularly value school leader's careful consideration of their workload and well-being so that they can focus their efforts fully on pupils' education." In addition Ofsted report that "many pupils, staff and parents describe the school as a 'big family'. This is a happy school, where staff and students want to be. The #Crestwoodfamily pervades through everything we do.

As a school we take staff well being seriously. We offer staff the following:

• wellbeing weeks, with no commitments scheduled after school


• free lunch every day


• free tea and coffee


• half termly cooked breakfasts


• accrued inset days, taken as twilights, giving staff an additional 4 days off a year


• One well being day per year (during term-time), to be taken at their chosen time (after a qualifying period)


• weekly thank you bulletin


• birthday cards


• heads discretionary leaves of absence for family events


• acts of random kindness


• access to mental health first aiders
  
  Essential Qualifications: Level 2 (i.e. A-C) in Maths and English


Professional Skills: Knowledge of different types of special education needs, experience of working with children

Knowledge Required: Professionally discreet and able to respect confidentiality, Understanding of principles of learning processes and in particular barriers to learning, Well developed interpersonal skills, Team worker, Trustworthy, Empathy with pupils and sympathetic to their needs, Ability to build positive relationships with staff and students, Ability to stay calm under pressure, Good listening skills and good judgement, Firm but fair, Flexible and a good sense of humour

31.25 hours per week: Monday-Friday 8.15am-3pm. Term time only.

Actual Salary: Grade C £16,744 - £17,487 (FTE £23,114 - £24,140) Depending on experience.