Teaching Assistant

Join Our Team as a Teaching Assistant!

Are you ready to make a real difference in the lives of children and young people? At Polaris Children's Services - Barraclough School, we are looking for a passionate and dedicated Teaching Assistant to join our supportive community in Huddersfield. This is your chance to develop your career while helping our pupils achieve their very best!

About the School

Located in Huddersfield, our new school caters to pupils aged 7 to 18 years old. With significant investment and a wealth of new resources, you will have the opportunity to shape a nurturing environment that promotes self-discipline, engagement, and inspires learning. Our mission is to provide each pupil with a diverse and appropriate education that encourages aspiration and achievement.

As part of the Polaris Community, we have been improving the lives of young people for over 30 years. Our six SEN schools across the UK work collaboratively to ensure every pupil receives a tailored education in a safe and supportive environment. We are proud that 100% of our inspected services have been rated as Good or Outstanding by Ofsted!

Your Role and Responsibilities

As a Teaching Assistant, you will:

• Mentor and support one pupil or a small group of no more than six pupils.
• Assist the Classroom Teacher during lessons.
• Report on pupils' progress and concerns, collaborating with other staff to meet their needs.
• Supervise pupils during non-classroom time, including extracurricular activities and school trips.
• Help with lesson planning and classroom preparation.
• Set work where appropriate and mark assignments.
• Build positive relationships with pupils to drive interaction and positive learning outcomes.

What We’re Looking For

To thrive in this role, you should have:

• A strong basic education, ideally to A-level, with a minimum of GCSE Grade C or equivalent in English Language and Mathematics.
• Previous experience as a Teaching Assistant or in a similar role.
• Experience working with pupils with SEMH in an educational setting.
• Confidence to take on additional responsibilities in areas such as Food Hygiene, Forest School, Lunchtimes, or School Yoga.
• Experience in behavior management techniques.
• A commitment to professional development and a willingness to learn.
• A readiness to undergo an Enhanced Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) check prior to starting work.

What We Offer

At Polaris, we value the emotional health and wellbeing of our staff. Here’s what you can expect:

• A workplace that prioritizes your wellbeing.
• Support for your professional development through a variety of opportunities.
• The chance to make a significant impact on the lives of vulnerable children.
• A friendly and inclusive team dedicated to improving pupil outcomes.

Join us in our mission to provide high-quality teaching in a safe educational environment. We can’t wait to welcome you to our team!

Note: The successful candidate will be required to complete an enhanced DBS Check, the cost of which will be covered by Polaris Community. We are an equal opportunities employer and encourage applications from suitably qualified candidates. We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people, and vulnerable adults.