Teaching Assistant Braille Specialist

Harris Academy Greenwich is one of the most successful schools in London, a school that is providing our students with a first class education and amazing life experiences. This reflects our personal outlook on life and on education. We only get one life and we should all use it to make a real difference in the world, to put a ‘ding’ in the universe. Our role here is to help students and staff dream bigger than they ever thought possible, and to make that dream come true through our culture of success, moral courage and integrity which beats at the heart of the school.

We want our staff to receive regular, world-class training to achieve mastery of their craft, amazing support to flourish every day, to never burn out, and a sense of shared moral purpose about the best job in the world. We ensure this school provides that opportunity for staff year after year.

So if you are interested in working here, you can be assured that this is a brilliant school. We are rather proud of it!

Main Areas of Responsibility

The ideal candidate will have expertise in supporting visually impaired students, including proficiency in Braille transcription and instruction, as well as a passion for fostering an inclusive learning environment. This role involves working closely with students, teachers, and families to ensure access to the curriculum and promote independence.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Supervising and supporting identified students in 1:1, group or whole class situations, ensuring their safety and access to learning in a purposeful and supportive learning environment.
• Assisting in developing resources, schemes of work and teaching strategies, working with the teacher to ensure the provision supports learning needs.
• Assisting in evaluating identified students’ progress and providing feedback on their achievements, progress and needs.
• Leading small group sessions and interventions as appropriate.
• Attending to students’ personal needs where required.
• Supporting with behaviour management.
• Undertaking learning activities/teaching programmes, adjusting activities to ensure achievement of learning goals.
• Assisting with the supervision of students out of lesson times, including playtimes and undertaking lunchtime duty.
• Supporting students with their learning and development in respect of local and national learning strategies.
• Preparing the classroom for lessons, clearing afterwards and assisting with the display of students’ work.
• Preparing and maintaining resources and assisting students in their use.
• Undertaking record keeping as requested.
• Establishing and maintaining positive relationships with parents/carers, gathering and reporting information as directed.
• Providing administrative support as required.
• Accompanying teaching staff and students on visits, trips and off site activities as required.

Qualifications & Experience

We would like to hear from you if you have have:

• Qualifications to degree level or equivalent
• Basic knowledge of SEND and learning barriers
• Some knowledge of strategies in working with young people with challenging behaviours
• Knowledge of some of the social issues facing students from disadvantaged backgrounds
• Awareness of Health and Safety issues in the workplace
• Experience of working directly with young people in an education or training environment, supporting the learning of students
• Experience of establishing and maintaining positive working relationships with a range of stakeholders, at all levels
• Experience of managing and being responsible for own workload
• Good literacy and numeracy skills
• Good interpersonal and communication skills, with an excellent standard of written and spoken English
• Good administrative and organisational skills
• Ability to interest, encourage, motivate and engage children
• Ability to work effectively with team members across a wide range of levels and responsibilities
• Good ICT skills, including a working knowledge of Microsoft packages and the ability to update records and databases.
• Ability to work using own initiative, exercising good judgement where unsupervised
• Flexibility of approach to work
• Ability to maintain confidentiality, exercising tact and diplomacy

Professional Development & Benefits

Our people are at the heart of our success. We have developed a strong culture of collaboration and best practice, with professional development and career planning at its centre. We invest in our staff with support, coaching, mentoring, and a wide range of top-quality training programmes delivered at every level.

In addition to the opportunities for career development and progression, we also offer a competitive rewards and benefits package which includes our Harris Allowance for teachers on MPS/UPS, a Performance and Loyalty Bonus, Pension Scheme with generous employer contributions, a Wellbeing Cash Plan and many other benefits. Learn more about our benefits on our website.