Wheatfields Infants’ and Nursery

School

Recruitment Learning Assistant/MPL

Information for Candidates

Recruitment of Learning Assistant/Midday Play Leader from Sept

2016 to July 2017

Contents

Letter from the Headteacher

Application details.

Details about the post, Selection process and Timetable.

Job Description

Person Specification.

General School Information

Wheatfields Infants’ and Nursery School

Downes Road, St Albans, Hertfordshire AL4 9NT

Tel: 01727 859978

Email: Admin@wheatfieldsinfants.herts.sch.uk

Headteacher: Mrs J Whitehurst MA NPQH

Website:

Headteacher Mrs J Whitehurst

Dear Colleague,

Thank you for showing an interest in the vacancy at our school at such an exciting time. Wheatfields

Infants and Nursery is an oversubscribed three form entry school on the north east edge of St

Albans.

I am the acting Headteacher at the school, while Mrs Jane Whitehurst is taking a year’s sabbatical.

We have a strong and established Leadership team consisting of two Assistant Headteacher roles-

one for Teaching and Learning and the other for Inclusion and Behaviour, a School Business Manager,

two Key Stage Leader roles and an HLTA who represents the Support team.

The pupils at Wheatfields Infants and Nursery are absolutely delightful and are enthusiastic

learners. Parental support is very strong, and the Governing Body is effective. There is a strong focus

on working as a team across the school from Year Group teams to Key Stage teams. As a school we

are passionate about children making excellent progress within an environment that is stimulating and

exciting both inside and outside. All of our teaching team use Assessment for learning effectively to

plan and support children’s progress on a daily basis. Joining our staff at this exciting and pivotal

time will require hard work and enthusiasm as we continue to sustain our excellent outcomes for all

children while not losing sight of educating the “whole child”

Please find enclosed a pack containing information about our school, including a person specification,

and job description.

The closing date for applicants is 9.00am on Thursday 8th September 2016 and short listing will take

place on the next day. Successful applicants will be e-mailed after short listing has been completed

and will be invited to interview on 14th or 16th September 2016. Part of the interview process will

include playing a game with a small group of children.

Please read through the job description and person specification and if you feel you would enjoy the

challenge and rewards of working with us, we would be pleased to receive an application from you.

Visits are welcome and strongly encouraged; please telephone the school office to make an

appointment. Finally, may I wish you good luck with your application. Please do not hesitate to contact

me if I can be of further assistance.

I very much look forward to hearing from you.

Yours sincerely

Clare Cockburn

Headteacher

Application Details:

Applicants: Should be aware that there is an intention to observe all interview

candidates playing a game with a small group of children which is a part

of the interview process.

Application Procedure: Please complete and return the application form no later than 9.00am on

Thursday 8th September 2016 to:

Miss Clare Cockburn

Wheatfields Infants’ and Nursery School

Downes Road

St Albans

Hertfordshire

AL4 9NT

Alternatively, return an email copy to:

head@wheatfieldsinfants.herts.sch.uk

It is very important to refer to the Job Description and Person

Specification when making your application.

Wheatfields Infants’ and Nursery School

Details about the post, Selection process and Timetable.

Learning Assistant/Midday Play Leader

Grade: H3

Type of post: Temporary Fixed Term until July 21st 2017, in the first instance.

Safeguarding of pupils:

School statement: This School is committed to safeguarding children and promoting the

welfare of children and young people/vulnerable adults and expects all

staff and volunteers to share this commitment. We will ensure that all our

recruitment and selection practices reflect this commitment. All successful

candidates will be subject to DBS checks along with other relevant

employment checks.

Context for the vacancy:

Start date: As soon as possible

Equal opportunities:

Rationale

Wheatfields Infants’ and Nursery School is committed to equal

opportunities for all pupils and staff, regardless of race, gender, age,

physical disability, political or religious affiliations or marital status, and is

fundamental to the ethos of the school.

Purpose

To provide an environment in which all pupils feel equally valued and have

equivalent opportunities as others, regardless of race, gender, age or

physical disability, in all areas of the curriculum.

To ensure that there is an equal opportunity for employment development

and promotion for all staff and that they are not discriminated against on

grounds of race, gender, age, physical disability, marital status, religion or

politics.

Guidelines

Recruitment, development and promotion of staff will be based solely on

the criteria of merit and ability and suitability for the job no job

application or employee will receive less favourable treatment on the

grounds of gender, race, ethnic or national original, marital status, domestic

circumstances, age, sexuality, disability, political or trade union activity or

religious beliefs

Information about the recruitment and selection process:

Visits to the school warmly welcomed by appointment.

Closing date for applications: 8th September 2016

Short listing: 9th September 2016

Interview date: 14th or 16th September 2016

Wheatfields Infants’ and Nursery School

Job Description for Temporary Learning Assistant/MPL

Post Title: Temporary Teaching Assistant and MPL

Responsible to Headteacher and Assistant Head - Pastoral

Pay range H3 30 hours per week term time only.

Purpose of Post – To provide high level support to teachers in the management of pupil’s learning. The post

holder is one of a team of teachers and assistants who support the learning of the pupils. Flexibility by all staff

is important to meet the needs of pupils. The job holder is managed by a Key Stage Leader but may work with

different teachers. The jobholder works under the day to day supervision of the teacher to whom he/she is

assigned. The job holder is required to contribute to and support the overall Vision, Aims and Ethos of the

school.

Duties

The jobholder is expected to fulfil the duties listed below with at least 50% of his/her time on some or all of

the duties in bold script each week.

Attend to pupils personal needs, including social, health, hygiene, first aid and welfare matters

To act as a role model setting high expectations

Prepare all learning spaces including classrooms and outside spaces and clear afterwards

Assist with the display of pupils’ work

Provide clerical/admin support, eg photocopying, typing, filing, collecting money, record keeping

Assist with the planning and delivery of learning activities suitable to the age range of the children,

observe, record and support the development and progress of pupils including feeding back regarding

progress and achievement

Accompany teachers and pupils on out of schools activities and take responsibility for a group, under

the direction of a teacher

Liaise with parents and carers, under the direction of the teacher –participate in feedback

sessions/meeting with parents, discuss issues sensitively, promote home school partnerships

Undertake daily Midday Play Leader duties

Ensure the safety and welfare of all children during the lunchtime period.

Assist with the development and implementation of provision maps, IEP’s and personal care

programmes

From time to time supervise whole classes during the short term absence of a teacher (meetings,

training, short term illness)

Within an agreed system on supervision, plan, deliver and evaluate programmes of work that meet

teaching and learning objectives

Equalities

Be aware of and support difference and ensure that all pupils have equality of access to opportunities to learn

and develop. Support and implement the schools Equality Scheme.

Health and Safety

Be aware of and comply with policies and procedures relating to Child Protection, Health, Safety and Security,

Confidentiality and Data Protection; and report all concerns to an appropriate person.

DBS

This post is classed as having a high degree of contact with children or vulnerable adults and is exempt from

the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. An enhanced disclosure will be sought through the safe staffing

team as part of Hertfordshire County Council’s pre-employment checks.

Additional Information

All staff are required to participate in training and other learning activities, and in performance management

and development, as required by the school's policies and practice.

** The duties and responsibilities listed above describe the post as it is at present. The post holder is

expected to accept any reasonable alterations that may from time to time be necessary **.

Supervision

A Key Stage leader manages the jobholder. The school’s performance management policies and practice

determine the frequency of meetings.

No supervision of staff.

Contacts

The jobholder works with teachers and pupils and is likely to have planned contact with parents or carers.

Knowledge, Experience and Training

Experience of working with children of the relevant age.

Numeracy and literacy skills equivalent to NVQ level 2 or GCSE grade C in English and Maths.

Achieved Higher Level Teaching Assistant status (as accredited by the Teacher Training Agency) or be

expected to achieve this status.

Recognised child care qualification equivalent to NVQ level 3

Understanding of the curricular requirements of the school, these to include statutory requirements.

Ability to make effective use of modern technology to support teaching and learning.

Ability to work with a minimum of supervision and within a team.

Ability to manage pupils in a classroom setting.

Physical Effort

To what extent does the job involve physical effort/strain over and above what would normally be incurred in a day-to-day office environment?

The job may involve lifting children after falls or accidents or in order to protect themselves or others.

Appropriate training will be provided if necessary

Working Environment

To what extent is the job exposed to objectionable, uncomfortable or noxious conditions over and above what would normally be experienced in a day-to-day office environment. The job may include clearing up blood or other bodily fluids of children after accident or sudden illness.

Person Specification – Learning Assistant. Wheatfields Infants and Nursery School

Selection decisions will be based on the criteria outlined below. At each stage of the process, an assessment will be made by the appointment panel to determine the

extent to which the criteria have been met. When completing your application form and supporting statement, you should ensure that you address each of the selection

criteria and provide supporting evidence of how you meet the criteria through reference to work or other relevant experience.

Educational qualifications and training

Application form Interview

Academic and Professional qualification NVQ Level 3 (minimum)

Completion of DBS forms and a satisfactory clearance being received

Experience

Experience of planning and delivering learning with children in Foundation Stage/ Key Stage 1

Experience of supervising whole classes

Experience of administering first aid

Experience of working with children with a wide variety of learning needs.

Knowledge,

Knowledge of the importance of effective learning environments

Knowledge and awareness of the effective use of new technologies in the classroom

Knowledge of Equal Opportunities, Health and Safety, Child Protection, SEN Code of Practice and the

implications for classroom practice

Knowledge of child development

Skills and Abilities

Has high expectations of all children and an understanding of how young children learn

Ability to make observations and complete records as required

Recognise the value of involvement in school life

A positive attitude to behaviour management

Able to manage time and resources successfully

Ability to communicate effectively at all levels

Ability to work as a member of a team implementing the visions and aims of the school

Ability to liaise with parents

An enthusiastic, energetic and caring attitude towards adults and children

Ability to construct application illustrating clear thinking about the post and presenting ideas and experience

relevant to the requirements of the job description

General School Information

Our Vision for the Children of Wheatfields Infants’ and Nursery School

On their learning journey within our school, our children will grow into confident, happy, independent

individuals who can communicate effectively, achieve well and respect the diverse communities that

make up our world. In an ever changing world we believe our children should develop a strong set of

values that underpin their learning and enable them to become lifelong learners. Each child will learn a

range of skills and knowledge that will enable them to recognise the contribution and responsibility

they have to developing a sustainable world.

We will achieve this by:

Creating a safe sustainable learning environment

Providing an enjoyable, challenging and creative, skills based curriculum

Developing a high quality school team who have high expectations for all children and act as

positive role models listening and taking account of their opinions

Teaching the children to respect each other and all adults, and to value the ideas, beliefs and

diversity of our inclusive school community ensuring equality for all.

Developing positive partnerships with parents, the local and wider community.

Locality and Catchment

Wheatfields Infants’ & Nursery School

opened in 1964 and is located in a residential

area in the North East of St Albans. It is a

Community School administered by

Hertfordshire County Council. We share an

open and attractive site with Wheatfields

Junior School and Sandringham Secondary

School, close to residential housing and

amenities, approximately 1.5 miles NE of St

Albans City centre in the Marshalswick ward.

Our main entrance is in Downes Road, which

is on the north side of the Ridgeway, leading

from Marshalswick Lane. The school can also

be accessed from an entrance in

Sandringham Crescent.

Children

Currently there are 319 children on role made up as follows

Nursery Year R Year 1 Year 2

51 88 90 90

The Curriculum

The learning is based on a theme and skills development approach. Each term there is an overarching

theme recent ones have been Wild Weather and Explorers and Innovators. The children are

encouraged to have ownership and be involved in planning learning. The teaching team then track the

expectations from either the Early Years Foundation Stage Curriculum for Nursery and Reception or

National Curriculum for year 1 and 2 to ensure the children have the appropriate coverage of all

subjects.

Building Learning Power

To support the development of the children’s learning skills, we have our Learning Power Heroes. This

is based on the work of Professor Guy Claxton:

Rufus Rabbit is reciprocal and has the ability to work on his own and or with others

Krishna Cat is very reflective and is able to think about what has been learned

Talluhah Ted is very resilient and has the ability to keep persevering

Doris Dog is resourceful; ready, willing and able to learn in different ways

Community Liaison

There is an active Parent Teacher Association which organises various social and fund-raising events.

There are a number of parent and governor helpers who give their time in school or accompany school

visits to places of interest linked to the curriculum. Parents are actively encouraged to participate in

the work of the school and help in many ways.

The Governing Body

The Headteacher, Senior Leadership Team and Governing Body have developed a partnership

approach to the strategic leadership and management of the school towards continuous school

improvement. The Governing Body comprises 14 persons and has two Committees; Resources, Impact

on Learning.