Employment Opportunities at Brackenhill Primary School

Employment Opportunities at
Brackenhill Primary School
Dear applicant,
Thank you for requesting an application pack for a vacancy at Brackenhill Primary School.
We are looking for enthusiastic and committed staff with high expectations to join our team.
If you feel you are an excellent practitioner, who is keen to work hard in an exciting and successful
environment, then we look forward to receiving your application.
This booklet will give you a brief insight to our school but we would encourage you to come and visit us
to see for yourself our wonderful school environment. Contact details are available on the job advert.
How to apply
Please read the job description and personnel specification carefully to ensure you meet the required
criteria before applying for this position.
You should complete the enclosed application form outlining how you meet the criteria in the job
description. Alternatively you can submit an online application through Prospects on line.
Your application should be accompanied by a supporting letter, no longer than two sides of A4. Within
your letter of application you may wish to outline you reasons for applying for the post and give an
indication of what you can offer the school.
We would request that you provide details of daytime and evening contact numbers and email
addresses for use should you be called for interview.
Completed Applications should be returned to:
FAO Helen Metcalf
Headteacher
Brackenhill Primary School
Dracup Road
Bradford
BE7 4HA
Alternatively you may wish to email your application to [email protected]
You may also apply by uploading your application via the prospects online website.
You are advised to call the school to confirm that we have received your email before the close of
applications.
We look forward to hearing from you.
Kind regards
Helen Metcalf
Headteacher
Our Building and Grounds
The current school was built in 1975 when Great Horton Infant School became Brackenhill First
School. The school became a Primary school in 2001 with the reorganisation of Bradford
schools. Major refurbishment followed this changed use with the creation of classrooms to
replace the original open plan layout. We also created an ICT suite, a library and an art room to
meet the changing needs. Over recent years the school has been updated with a pitched roof
placed over the flat roof, new boilers, security fencing and the replacement of all doors and
windows.
In 2009 Brackenhill Primary began the exciting process of moving from a one to a two form
entry school. The work has seen the completion of new modern classrooms and a sports hall
along with refurbishment of existing classrooms and a new nurture room.
The school has extensive grounds including the large sports field, a wildlife area with copses,
orchard, geology area, seating etc. There is also a growing garden and a cycle track and skills
area within the grounds.
Our Community and extended schools provision
We are near the centre of Great Horton and while this former village is now very much a part of
the city, the school is bordered by a large park and green spaces. We serve a mixed community
reflecting the ethnic mix within Bradford. We are part of ‘Great Heights’, which is a vibrant
partnership of schools in the area. Sports, cultural and community events are on offer, widening
opportunities for community collaboration and learning.
Within school our learning mentor provides a low cost breakfast club and a range of after school
clubs which vary over the year. Currently there are clubs for film and animation, music, cooking,
drama and a variety of sports including cycling. Our pupils typically move to up to twelve
different secondary schools.
For our parents we have long established ESOL classes in school, organised by the WEA, as
well as a variety of other classes including sewing and ICT. The development of these classes
over the years has resulted in increasing parent involvement in school life. Brackenhill
Friendship Group supports the school through events and fundraising.
Teaching and Learning at Brackenhill
The school takes in children with a wide range of ability on entry, however increasing numbers
join us with attainment and development well below national average. The challenge for the
school is to meet the needs of such a wide range of ability and to ensure that those with low
attainment on entry make sustained, accelerated progress to meet new national standards.
While raising attainment is a key priority, at the heart of the school is the aim to develop future
citizens with high aspirations, who show respect for others and their environment, develop a
range of talents and gain satisfaction from learning and making a contribution to our society. We
have an active school council as well as a playground buddy scheme and sports leaders.
Out of school visits are essential to widen our children’s experiences and we have a long
established programme of visits to a range of venues. A range of visitors also come to school to
share their expertise and widen learning. Children take part in the Schools Linking Project to
develop cohesion across the city.
.
To meet the needs of pupils from different faiths we provide separate faith worship weekly for
Christian, Muslim, Hindu and Sikh groups. Leaders are provided by the LA Interfaith Centre. We
also aim to provide a balanced celebration of the main festivals of these groups through the
school year.
New staff are joining a highly committed enthusiastic team. There is a balance of experienced
teachers and recently qualified teachers who are keen to implement educational changes and
raise attainment.
Throughout Foundation stage a skilled and welcoming team of teachers, nursery nurses and
teaching assistants ensure good practice from the start. In Key Stage One and Key Stage Two
we have a skilled and enthusiastic team of teachers and teaching assistants, as well as higher
level teaching assistants, who also provide PPA cover. Our Learning Mentors and Behaviour
Champion provide a wide range of additional support for vulnerable children. Our School
Business Manager leads the administrative team who are supported by a peripatetic bursar.
Our Site Manager takes a pride in the school and is very much a part of the whole team. We
have the Sainsbury’s School Games Award, our Nurture Team has been awarded the Marjorie
Boxall Award and we are working towards our Eco School Green Flag Award.
Brackenhill Primary School
Job Description
Teaching Assistant Level 2
Job Purpose
To undertake work/care/support programmes, to enable access to learning for pupils and to assist
the teacher in the management of pupils and the classroom. Work may be carried out in the
classroom or outside the main teaching area.
Areas of responsibility and key tasks
Assisting as a member of the classroom team in the supervision of students on work experience,
trainees and voluntary helpers with whom the postholder is working
To work under the instruction/guidance of teaching/senior staff.
To make decisions using initiative within established working practices and procedures.
The postholder will be expected to use good common sense and initiative in all matters relating to:
- the conduct and behaviour of individuals, groups of pupils and whole classes
- the correct use and care of materials by individual and small groups of pupils
- the safety, mobility (if required) and hygiene and wellbeing of the pupils.
To maintain the confidential nature of information relating to the school, it’s pupils, parents and
carers.
The provision, use and storage of equipment and materials used by pupils with whom the postholder
is working. General responsibility for the care of all equipment and materials within the
classroom/designated area of the school.
Contacts
Internal at all levels, Parents / Carers, Governors, Community Groups, Health, Social Services,
Police, Local Education Authority, Education Bradford, Contractors, External Agencies.
Support for pupils
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Supervise and provide particular support for pupils, including those with special needs,
ensuring their safety and access to learning activities.
Establish constructive relationships with pupils and interact with them according to individual
needs.
Promote the inclusion and acceptance of all pupils.
Encourage pupils to interact with others and engage in activities led by the teacher.
Set challenging and demanding expectations and promote self-esteem and independence.
Provide feedback to pupils in relation to progress and achievement under guidance of the
teacher.
Assist with the development and implementation of Individual Education/Behaviour Plans and
Personal Care programmes.
Support for the teacher
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Create and maintain a purposeful, orderly and supportive environment, in accordance with
lesson plans and assist with the display of pupils’ work.
Provide detailed and regular feedback to teachers on pupils achievement, progress, problems
etc.
Monitor pupils’ responses to learning activities and accurately record achievement/progress
as directed.
Promote good pupil behaviour, dealing promptly with conflict and incidents in line with
established policy and encourage pupils to take responsibility for their own behaviour
Establish constructive relationships with parents/carers.
Provide clerical/admin. support e.g. photocopying, typing, filing, money, administer
coursework etc.
Use strategies, in liaison with the teacher, to support pupils to achieve
learning goals.
Assist with the planning of learning activities.
Administer routine tests and invigilate exams and undertake routine
marking of pupils’ work.
Support for the curriculum
•
•
•
•
Undertake structured and agreed learning activities/teaching programmes, adjusting activities
according to pupil responses.
Undertake programmes linked to local and national learning strategies e.g. literacy,
numeracy, KS3, early years recording achievement and progress and feeding back to the
teacher.
Support the use of ICT in learning activities and develop pupils’ competence and
independence in its use.
Prepare, maintain and use equipment/resources required to meet the lesson plans/relevant
learning activity and assist pupils in their use.
Support for the school
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Be aware of and comply with policies and procedures relating to child protection, health,
safety and security, confidentiality and data protection, reporting all concerns to an
appropriate person.
Be aware of and support difference and ensure all pupils have equal access to opportunities
to learn and develop.
Contribute to the overall ethos/work/aims of the school.
Appreciate and support the role of other professionals.
Attend and participate in relevant meetings as required
Participate in training and other learning activities and performance development as required.
Assist with the supervision of pupils out of lesson times, including before and after school and
at lunchtime.
Accompany teaching staff and pupils on visits, trips and out of school activities as required
and take responsibility for a group under the supervision of the teacher.
To support, uphold and contribute to the development of the Council’s Equal Rights policies
and practices in respect of both employment issues and the delivery of services to the
community.
This job description may be amended at any time following discussion between the Headteacher and
member of staff, and will be reviewed annually.
Signed…………………………………………
Dated……………………………………..
Bracken
nhill Primary
y School
Personnel Specification
Teachin
ng Assistantt Level 2
Attrib
butes
Essential
Desirable
Means
s of
Asses
ssment
EXPER
RIENCE

Working w
with or caring for pupils
p
of relevant age or relevant
experiencce e.g. voluntary organisation,
o
pare
ental caring
experiencce.
General te
echnical / resourc
ce experience eg. science, art, ICT..


Application form
& Selec
ction
process
s
GCSE En
nglish and Maths level C or above or
o equivalent eg.
Adult Literacy/Numeracy att level 2


QUALIFICATIONS



TRAIN
NING
SPECIIAL
KNOW
WLEDGE


Willingnesss to participate in
n development an
nd training
opportunities.
onal development.
Evidence of previous perso

Knowledg
ge of particular subject / technical area.
a








Experiience of working in a team situation
n.
Experiience of working in a school supporting
pupils with additional ed
ducational needs,
specia
al educational nee
eds or other releva
ant
experience.
Qualifiications relating to
o post eg health,
childre
en, practical skills,, first aid.
NVQ 2 for Teaching Ass
sistants or equiva
alent
qualific
cations or experie
ence.
NVQ 2 in relevant discip
pline or equivalent
qualific
cation or experien
nce.
Completion of DfES tea
aching assistant
induction programme.
ng or willingness to
t undertake training in
Trainin
the relevant learning strrategies e.g. litera
acy
and/orr in particular curriculum or learning
g area
eg. bi--lingual, sign langu
uage, dyslexia, IC
CT,
maths, English, CACHE
E etc.
h & Safety training
g as appropriate.
Health
An und
derstanding of the
e needs of a multicultural
society
y.
An und
derstanding of the
e issues relating to
o
pupils who have additio
onal learning need
ds,
more able
a
and special educational
e
needss.
Underrstanding of child development
d
and
learnin
ng.
Underrstanding of releva
ant polices/codes of
practic
ce and awareness
s of relevant legisllation.
Generral understanding of national/founda
ation
stage curriculum and otther basic learning
g
Application form
& Selec
ction
process
s.
Certifica
ates.
Application form
& Selec
ction
process
s
Application form
& Selec
ction
process
s

EQUALITY

DISPOSITION –
ADJUSTMENT/
ATTITUDE










PRACTICAL &
INTELLECTUAL
SKILLS
CIRCUMSTANCES /
PERSONAL










PHYSICAL /
SENSORY



Candidates should indicate an acceptance of and commitment to
the principles underlying the Council’s Equal Rights policies and
practices.
Ability to relate well to pupils and adults.
Ability to work constructively as part of a team.
Ability to remain calm under pressure.
Demonstrate good co-operative, interpersonal and listening skills.
Demonstrate a commitment to working with children of the
relevant age.
Good sense of humour.
Flexibility and willingness to accept change.
Willingness to share expertise, knowledge and experience.
Approachable, courteous and able to present a positive image of
the school to callers and visitors.
Maintain confidentiality in matters relating to the school, its pupils,
parents and carers.
Ability to prioritise conflicting demands and pressures.
Good literacy / numeracy skills.
Ability to use relevant technology.
Ability to use ICT effectively.
Ability to use relevant equipment / resources.
Good keyboard / computer skills.
Will not require holiday leave during term time.
Must be legally entitled to work in the UK (Asylum and
Immigration Act 1996).
No contra-indications in personal background or criminal record
indicating unsuitability to work with children/young
people/vulnerable clients/finance (CRB check required).
If driving is a feature of this post – must be licensed and
appropriately insured (e.g. business use)
Must be able to perform all duties and tasks with reasonable
adjustment, where appropriate, in accordance with the Disability
Discrimination Act 1995.
Ability to cope with requirements of the post, which may include
working with pupils who have emotional and behavioural
difficulties or physical difficulties.
For posts working with pupils who have physical difficulties, it
may be an unavoidable core component of the job for the
postholder to be capable of lifting and carrying pupils, within
school policies and practices.
programmes/Strategies.
Effective use of ICT packages.
Selection
process


Ability to identify own training and development
needs.
Understanding of classroom roles and
responsibilities and your own position within
these.
Selection
process
Application form
& Selection
process / test
Selection
process.
Sight of
appropriate
documentation
as specified in
interview letter
Selection
process.
Brackenhill Primary School
Child Protection and Safeguarding Policy
“Because of their day to day contact with individual children during the school terms, teachers and other
school staff are particularly well placed to observe the outward signs of abuse, changes in behaviour or
failure to develop.”
(Working Together 2006)
Brackenhill Primary fully recognises its responsibilities for child protection.
Please refer to:• Appendix 1 Keeping Children Safe in education – Strategy guidance for schools and colleges
April 2014
•
Appendix 2 – Working Together to Safeguard Children March 2013
The Purpose of the Child Protection and Safeguarding Policy
The purpose of our whole school child protection and safeguarding children policy is to provide clear
direction to staff and others about expected codes of behaviour in dealing with child protection and
safeguarding children issues. The policy makes explicit the school’s commitment to the development of
good practice and sound procedures. This ensures that child protection and safeguarding children
concerns and referrals may be handled sensitively, professionally and in ways which support the needs
of the child.
Our policy applies to all staff, governors and volunteers working in the school.
There are five main elements to our policy:
•
•
•
•
•
Ensuring we practice safe recruitment in checking the suitability of staff and volunteers to work
with children.
Raising awareness of child protection issues and equipping children with the skills needed to
keep them safe.
Developing and then implementing procedures for identifying and reporting cases, or
suspected cases, of abuse.
Supporting pupils who have been abused in accordance with his/her agreed child protection
plan.
Establishing a safe environment in which children can learn and develop
Child protection is the responsibility of all school staff. Brackenhill Primary will therefore:
•
•
•
1
Establish and maintain an environment where children feel secure, are encouraged to talk,
and are listened to.
Ensure children know that there are adults in the school whom they can approach if they are
worried.
Include opportunities in the PSHE curriculum for children to develop the skills they need to
recognise and stay safe from abuse.
Reviewed 2014 09
Roles and Responsibilities
All adults working with or on behalf of children have a responsibility to protect them. There are, however,
key people within schools and Bradford Council who have specific responsibilities under child protection
procedures. It is the role of the Governing Body and the school leadership team to ensure that the
Named Persons for Child Protection are properly supported to carry out this task and that they are given
time to fulfil the duties that their role demands.
The school leadership team will ensure that Named Persons for Child Protection attend the required
training and that they refresh their training as required.
All other staff and the nominated governor must be offered an appropriate level of training and must
undergo refresher training as required.
It is the role of the Named Persons for Child Protection to ensure that the child protection procedures are
followed within the school, and to make appropriate, timely referrals to Children’s Social Care in
accordance with the locally agreed procedures. Additionally, it is the role of the Named Persons for
Child Protection to ensure all staff employed including temporary staff and volunteers within the school
are aware of the school’s internal procedures, to advise staff and to offer support to those requiring this.
The role of the Nominated Governor for Child Protection is to ensure that the school has an effective
policy, locally agreed procedures are in place, and that the policy and structures supporting safeguarding
children are reviewed annually. Governors must not be given details relating to individual child protection
cases or situations to ensure confidentiality is not breached.
The child protection and safeguarding policy is available on the school website or a paper copy can be
obtained from the school on request.
All staff receive a booklet containing part 1 of ‘Keeping Children Safe in Education’. All staff sign to
confirm receipt of the booklet.
Any new staff joining the school are given a booklet containing part 1 of ‘Keeping Children Safe in
Education as part of their induction training.
Safer Recruitment
The Governing Body and school leadership team are responsible for ensuring that the school follows
safe recruitment processes, including:
•
Ensuring the headteacher, other staff responsible for recruitment and at least one member
of the Governing Body completes safer recruitment training.
•
Ensuring the upkeep of a Single Central Record of all staff and regular volunteers in
accordance with government guidance.
Safe Working Practice
Brackenhill Primary School has developed a clear code of practice that staff understand and agree to.
The code of practice offers guidance to staff on the way they should behave when working with children.
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Reviewed 2014 09
Child Protection Procedures
Brackenhill Primary adheres to child protection procedures that have been agreed locally through
Bradford Safeguarding Children Board, (BSCB)
The full version of Child Protection Procedures can be accessed from the BSCB web- site
at: http://bradford-scb.org.uk/ and take account of the latest guidance issued by the Department of
Education – currently ‘Keeping Children Safe in Education 2014’.
Confidentiality
All staff are aware that they must not promise to keep, ‘secrets’ with children and that if children disclose
abuse this must be passed on to the Named Persons for Child Protection as soon as possible and the
child should be told who their disclosure will be shared with.
Staff will be informed of relevant information in respect of individual cases regarding child protection on a
”need to know basis” only.
Record Keeping
Child Protection records are kept centrally and securely by the Named Persons for Child Protection.
Staff are aware that they must make a record of child protection issues and events as soon as possible
and that these records must be signed and dated. Child protection records must not be made in the
child’s curriculum file.
Training
Our school will ensure that the Head Teacher, Deputy Headteacher and the nominated governor for
Safeguarding Children attend training relevant to their role.
• All teaching and non-teaching staff will receive basic training on Safeguarding Children.
• Staff will be kept informed on current safeguarding children issues through staff meetings and
information on the staff notice boards
• If a member of staff has any concerns or queries about safeguarding children they should
verbalise these to either the Headteacher, Deputy Headteacher or the Safeguarding Children
school governor.
Working with other agencies
Schools are not investigating agencies and it essential that child protection issues are addressed
through agreed procedures however schools continue to play a role after referral and need to develop
strong links with partner agencies particularly social care.
Brackenhill Primary School recognises the importance of multi-agency working and will ensure that staff
are able to attend all relevant meetings including case conferences, core groups and strategy meetings.
Allegations against members of staff
Brackenhill Primary recognises that it is possible for staff and volunteers to behave in a manner that
causes harm to children and takes any allegation made against members of staff or volunteers seriously.
The local arrangements for managing allegations are understood and followed. All staff know who to talk
to if they are concerned about the behaviour of an adult.
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Reviewed 2014 09
The use of school premises by other organisations
Where services or activities are provided separately by another body, using the
school premises, the Governing Body expects that organisation will adher to this policy.
Brackenhill Primary recognises that a number of other policies and procedures developed and operated
by school form part of the wider agenda of Safeguarding and Promoting Children’s Welfare and this
policy should be read in conjunction with the policies listed below:
• Anti-bullying policy
• Health and safety policy
• Procedures for accessing risk ie school trips
• Recruitment and Selection policy
• Induction and Code of conduct for staff
• Policies that recognise specific vulnerable groups
Policy Review
The Governing Body is responsible for ensuring the annual review of this policy.
Approved by
Chair of Governors
______________________ Date________________
Headteacher
______________________ Date________________
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Reviewed 2014 09