Job Description

South Tawton Primary School are seeking an enthusiastic and committed teaching assistant to join our team to support learning across the school. We are a fully inclusive school which provides children with the skills, knowledge and understanding to flourish in the 21st Century working to provide the highest possible quality of education for all local children, to ensure pupils from all backgrounds are able to succeed.

Our Trust comprises of 19 schools, 3 Colleges, 15 Primaries, and one All Through SEMH Special school. Established in 2018. We are situated in beautiful Devon on the out the outskirts of the stunning Dartmoor National Park. The schools vary in size and are all unique. Our schools are a large part of their local communities, and we value those relationships with families and locals.

The Trust was created to enable schools and staff to work closely together in providing the best education possible for our children. We achieve this through meaningful collaboration both within our schools and beyond our Trust to ensure schools are able to secure and sustain improvement.

Our work is built on our shared values and an unwavering belief that education improves the life chances for the children in our care. We aim for everyone in our organisation, staff and children, to be the best they can be and are relentless in our ambition to achieve this. We want our children to look back on their school experience with a sense of achievement and joy and we provide a wealth of additional curriculum experiences to enrich their learning.

We care deeply about the children in our schools and work with kindness, compassion, manners and respect. By modelling and expecting these behaviours from our children, we aim to grow future citizens who will positively contribute to society, creating a brighter future for our world.

Our vision and values are what we build our schools upon, with Ambition, Co-operation & Transformation being at the heart.

As an established Trust, DMAT can offer a wide range of benefits for our employees:

Cycle to work scheme Tech Scheme Eyecare Vouchers Access to Discounts CPD opportunities Extensive Health & Wellbeing Package Long Service Days On site Parking - In some locations Excellent Training Package Employee Recognition Scheme

Why choose DMAT?

DMAT are an inclusive and forward-looking trust, who seek to nurture our children and employees to be the best they can be.

Purpose of Job

To work under the direct instruction of teaching/senior staff, usually in the classroom with the teacher, to support access to learning for pupils and provide general support to the teacher in the management of pupils and the classroom. Work might occasionally, but not regularly, take place outside the main teaching area.

Supervision Arrangements

The class teacher will take overall responsibility for the progress of pupils within the class.

Major Responsibilities

To work under direct supervision/instruction to support access to learning by:

Attending to the welfare and personal care of pupils including those with special educational needs. Working with small groups or one to one. Undertaking general clerical/organisational support for the teacher.
Duties

Support the teacher by:

Preparing the classroom as directed for lessons and clearing afterwards. Assisting with the display of pupils' work. Being aware of pupil problems/progress/achievements and reporting these to the teacher as agreed. Undertaking pupil record keeping as requested. Being aware of/working within planned learning activities. Occasional contribution to planning e.g. for individual pupils, general literacy/numeracy. Working with the teacher in managing pupil behaviour and reporting difficulties as appropriate. Gathering/reporting information from/to parents/carers as directed. Providing clerical/administrative support e.g. photocopying, typing, filing, collecting money etc.
Supporting pupils by:

Supervising and providing support for pupils, including those with special needs, ensuring their safety and access to learning. Attending to the pupils' personal needs, and implementing related personal programmes, including social, health, physical, hygiene, first aid and welfare matters. Establishing good relationships with pupils, acting as a role model and being aware of and responding appropriately to individual needs. Promoting the inclusion and acceptance of all pupils. Encouraging pupils to interact with others and to engage in activities led by the teacher. Encouraging pupils to act independently as appropriate.
Support the curriculum by:

Supporting pupils to understand instructions. Supporting pupils in respect of local and national learning strategies e.g. literacy, numeracy, early years etc. as directed by the teacher. Supporting pupils using ICT as directed. Preparing and maintaining equipment/resources as directed by the teacher and assisting pupils in their use.
Support the school by:

Being aware of and complying with policies and procedures relating to child protection, health, safety and security, confidentiality and data protection, and reporting all concerns to an appropriate person. Being aware of and supporting difference and ensuring all pupils have equal access to opportunities to learn and develop. Contributing to the overall ethos/work/aims of the school. Appreciating and supporting the role of other professionals. Attending and participating in relevant meetings as required. Participating in training and other learning activities and performance development as required. Assisting with the supervision of pupils out of lesson times, including before and after school and at lunchtimes as required. Accompanying teaching staff and pupils on visits, trips and out of school activities as required and take responsibility for a group under the supervision of a teacher. Support at lunch times and break times, maintaining a flexible working pattern.
Data Protection /?General Data Protection Regulations?Compliance

The Privacy Notice sets our general principles in relation to Data Protection and the General Data Protection Regulations. You should also abide all Trust policies relating to the use of data including but not limited to:

Acceptable Use Policy

Records Retention Policy Personal Data Breach Procedure Employee Code of Conduct E-safety Policy Social Media Policy Use of Personal Devices Policy
Our Privacy Notice for Employees explains how we use your personal data.

You?should note that a duty of confidentiality applies to all personal data?seen?prior to the first day of employment (for example, pupil lists for the purposes of lesson planning or other activities to support teaching and learning). This reflects the custom and practice?of those?contracts of employment starting on the first day of term while recognising the need to be aware of and plan to support pupil needs.

Person Specification:

Education/ Training

Experience of a range of intervention programmes in literacy and numeracy. -

Essential

Good numeracy/literacy skills (GCSE A to C grade or equivalent) -

Essential

Experience of working with and supporting SEND students -

Desirable

Requirement to participate in training/development as/when identified by line manager as essential for performance of the post -

Essential

Willingness to participate in other development and training opportunities -

Essential

Experience

Working with or caring for students of relevant age -

Essential

Knowledge

Basic understanding of child development and learning -

Essential

Understanding of relevant policies/codes of practice and awareness of relevant legislation -

Desirable

Display an awareness, understanding and commitment to the safeguarding and protection of student -

Desirable

General understanding of national/foundation stage curriculum and other basic learning programmes -

Desirable

Skills/Abilities

Ability to effectively use ICT to support learning, or to undertake training to do so. -

Essential

Ability to self-evaluate learning needs and actively seek learning opportunities. -

Essential

Ability to relate well to students and adults -

Essential

Patient, positive, enthusiastic and friendly approach -

Desirable

Ability to work constructively as part of a team, to understand classroom roles and responsibilities and own position within those -

Essential

Ability to use other technology to support learning - e.g. video, iPad, iPod, PC -

Essential

Dartmoor Multi Academy Trust is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes applicants from all backgrounds to apply.

We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications for the role. Therefore, if you are interested, please submit your application as early as possible.

All schools in The Dartmoor Multi Academy Trust are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

The successful candidate will be required to undertake an Enhanced Disclosure via the Disclosure Barring Service (DBS).

'This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (2013 and 2020). This means that certain convictions and cautions are considered 'protected' and do not need to be disclosed to employers, and if they are disclosed, employers cannot take them into account. Guidance about whether a conviction or caution should be disclosed can be found on the Ministry of Justice website: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/new-guidance-on-the-rehabilitation-of-offenders-act-1974.'

Visit our website: - www.dartmoormat.org.uk to apply for this position.

Your application form will be processed by My New Term who act for DMAT as a data processor- please see our Privacy Notice for more information about how we process job applicant personal data.

The successful candidate will be required to come to DMAT HQ to complete mandatory training.

Training Details:

Location:

Central Head Office (Wardhayes) 8 Simmons Way, Okehampton, EX20 1PY

Purpose:

To provide comprehensive training on company policies, procedures, and systems necessary for successful integration into the role.

Training Schedule:

Daily sessions from 9am to 4pm, with breaks provided.

Benefits of Training Week:

To gain valuable insights into our company culture and values.

Interact with key stakeholders and team members.

Acquire essential knowledge and skills to excel in your role.

Establish a strong foundation for your career growth within Dartmoor Multi Academy Trust.

Job Types: Part-time, Temporary

Pay: 12.85 per hour

Expected hours: 32.5 per week

Benefits:

Company pension Cycle to work scheme Employee discount Health & wellbeing programme On-site parking
Schedule:

Day shift Monday to Friday
Education:

GCSE or equivalent (preferred)
Work Location: In person

Application deadline: 24/08/2025