Teaching Assistant

Recruitment
24/25

Teaching Assistant (Student Support Key Worker)

Minsthorpe Community College

Welcome
Dear Applicant

Thank you for your interest in Minsthorpe Community
College. We hope that the information contained within
this pack will help you decide if you have the right
qualities, skills, and experience to apply for our vacancy.

Minsthorpe Community College is a very special place.
Between us, we have more than 40 years’ experience
working here. When we became Joint Principals in
April 2019, we wanted to bring to life the vision and
values that we truly believe make this College and its
community the amazing place that it is. At Minsthorpe
Community College our core values of motivation,
commitment and care permeate through everything we
do. They are brought to life in all aspects of our College
life and not just put up on the walls as decoration. Our
vision for Minsthorpe will only ever happen when we
live through these values which we hold dear.

Minsthorpe’s core values are built on our response
to the following question. As a parent, looking for a
school, college, or university for our own children, what
is it that we actually look for in a place? Firstly, we want
a place where our children love to learn; somewhere
where they get up every morning and want to go to,
where they are motivated in all the subjects they study
and where there is a wide range of extra-curricular
activities for them to enjoy. Secondly, we want to find a
place where they will get a world-class education, where
teachers and students are committed to achieving
the very best to move them to the next phase of their
education. Finally, we want a place that will look after
our loved ones. A place where people care for each
other and put an arm around someone if they are in
need. We want to know that there is always an adult
available whenever needed and where children will
make friends that will last a lifetime.

Our vision for Minsthorpe is that every single person
has a part to play in strengthening our learning
community. Students, staff, parents, and governors
all have a crucial role to play each and every day. We
say to our students that we all have different talents
and whether you are an amazing mathematician or
can speak a foreign language, whether you are a great
footballer or a talented tennis player, whether you
love reading, are passionate about the environment
or have an incredible singing voice, everyone has a
part to play here. We are ambitious for our students
to be the best that they can be. We want them to be
motivated to come to College, committed to their
education and to care for each other.

We are seeking to appoint staff who will share
this vision and work with us to make it a reality.
At Minsthorpe, we invest in the recruitment,
development and retention of caring professionals
who are committed to constantly reviewing and
improving the quality of learning, teaching and
support. We expect that staff are motivated to work
collaboratively in setting high expectations for all
students with a relentless focus on student learning
and progress. In return, you will benefit from working
with caring colleagues who will support you in your
role and your personal and professional development.

If you would like to arrange a visit to the college, we
would be more than happy to show you around so
you can get a feel for who we are.

Email enquiries@minsthorpe.cc and we will
arrange a convenient time for you to come and visit
Minsthorpe Community College. We look forward to
hearing from you.

Mr Mark Gilmore/Mrs Rachael Merritt
Joint Principals

Mr Mark Gilmore & Mrs Rachael Merritt
Joint Principals

Vision

Vision & Mission

Staff
At Minsthorpe, we invest in the recruitment,
development and retention of caring professionals
who are committed to constantly reviewing and
improving the quality of learning, teaching and
support. We expect that staff are motivated to work
collaboratively in setting high expectations for all
students with a relentless focus on student learning
and progress.

XXXXXX

Mission

Students
At Minsthorpe, we motivate students through
an engaging curriculum which promotes lifelong
learning. We provide exciting educational
opportunities and an ethos of care, guidance and
support for all. We know that students learn best in a
safe, calm and orderly environment and our rewards
and sanctions support this. We expect that students
are committed to their own learning and progress
and to achieving their future aspirations.

Minsthorpe Community College:
A place where everyone plays a
part in strengthening our learning
community through motivation,
commitment, and care.

Parents and Carers
At Minsthorpe, we value the contribution our caring
parent body makes to their child’s education, as we
work together to motivate and support each student
in reaching their full potential. We want parents
and carers to work with us in ensuring their child is
safe and happy. We expect the full commitment of
parents and carers in ensuring their child attends
regularly and on time; completes home learning;
wears the correct uniform; is fully equipped and
ready to learn and behave the Minsthorpe Way.

Governors
At Minsthorpe, the Governing Body is committed
to challenging the College Leadership to secure
the highest standards of education for the
students of our community. It oversees the
financial performance of the College, ensuring that
budgets are well spent. Governors expect that all
stakeholders work together in the best interests of
the students to motivate and care for each other.

10

Minsthorpe Community College is a large, vibrant, and
inclusive community college with a student body of over 1500
students ranging from 11 to 19 years. We have six primary
schools in our pyramid and are pleased to welcome children
from neighbouring areas.

We have a highly skilled team of teachers and associate
staff that always act in the best interest of the students.
We offer excellent facilities for learning and teaching with
dedicated blocks for each subject area as well as community
dimensions including a sports & fitness centre and a
children’s centre.

Students enjoy a range of extra-curricular and enrichment
opportunities which complement their learning. Minsthorpe
Community College secures great GCSE and Post 16 results
year on year allowing students to progress into higher
education and employment.

Minsthorpe Community College places at the heart of its
development a commitment to high quality professional
development for all staff who join the college. We
understand that by investing in our staff we will create an
organisation with a shared vision and mission.

"There is a focused,
purposeful atmosphere
around the school, which is
underpinned by the school’s
vision of motivation,
commitment and care.“

Ofsted, 2023

Why work at
Minsthorpe?

• The opportunity to work in a well-resourced,

forward thinking, and rewarding environment.

• Excellent facilities for learning and teaching with

dedicated blocks for each subject area.

• Free membership of our state-of-the-art on-site

Sports & Fitness Centre for full-time, permanent
employees, as well as the facility of an on-site
Children’s Centre.

• Comprehensive induction and on-going

opportunities for Professional Development.

• Excellent care and support for all staff, including

access to an Employee Assistance Programme for
employees and their immediate family.

• Access to the Local Government Pension Scheme

(associate staff) or Teachers’ Pension Scheme
(teachers).

• Nationally agreed terms and conditions in

relation to pay and conditions for teaching
and associate staff.

As a college we are
committed to provide
the following benefits
for employees:

"Pupils are confident, well-
mannered and eager to
share their opinions. They
work hard in lessons and
are keen to succeed.“

Ofsted, 2023

Learning and
Teaching the
Minsthorpe
Way

Teachers and Student Support colleagues at
Minsthorpe Community College strive to plan and
deliver lessons to a consistently high standard
rooted in fundamental Core Principles of effective
pedagogy. We insist on excellent standards of
behaviour for learning from all students and it is
our daily goal to inspire students to learn & think
critically, challenge & support them to achieve and
make progress and equip them with the necessary
skills to be lifelong learners and effective members
of society.

We have high expectations of all our students
at Minsthorpe Community College and BE FAIR
EVERYWHERE supports students to understand
how we expect them to behave in lessons and
around the College site. Parents are asked to
watch the relevant BE FAIR EVERYWHERE video
with their child to ensure they are clear about our
expectations.

Be Fair Everywhere

Staff address
any misbehaviour, inclu
ding low-
level disruption to
learning, appropriately.
Pupils behave well.

Ofsted, 2023

At Minsthorpe Community College our core
values of Motivation, Commitment and Care are
at the heart of everything we do. Our curriculum
intent is to raise the achievements and
aspirations of all learners through the delivery
of a highly personalised, broad, ambitious, and
inclusive curriculum that:

• Deepens students’ understanding and

develops their knowledge and skills in
all subject areas

• Ensures students are literate and numerate

• Enriches students’ learning experiences

• Builds students’ character

• Empowers students to realise their

education and employment potential
beyond Minsthorpe Community College

Curriculum
"Teachers and pupils are
clear about expectations
and procedures through
the ‘Minsthorpe way’ ... As
a result, the school is
calm and orderly.”
Ofsted, 2023

We are an inclusive Post 16 provider and cater for learners at
all levels and have an established reputation for very strong
exam performance, a passion for teaching and learning and
an unwavering focus on helping every student achieve their
best possible goals.

Minsthorpe Post 16 is committed to delivering high quality
teaching which provides challenges and opportunities for
individual learners. Students have the opportunity to be
creative, innovative and enterprising, whilst benefiting
from strong care, support and guidance. The Post 16
team continues to provide our students with support and
motivation to raise their aspirations, succeed in learning and
position themselves for a better future.

We have a well-established ethos of care and support.
Our students and staff enjoy working together as ‘Team
Minsthorpe’ and everyone is committed to ‘Learning and
Behaving the Minsthorpe Way’, because we know this
will deliver the best education for the young people. We
cannot achieve this alone, and we firmly believe in a strong
partnership between the college and everyone within our
community.

‘The school has ensured that the
sixth-form curriculum meets
students’ needs and interests ...
This helps sixth-form students to
progress on to higher education,
apprenticeships and
employment.“

Ofsted, 2023

Student
Support

We provide Motivation, Commitment
and Care for students requiring additional
support with the aim of ensuring that they
achieve their best possible outcomes,
transition to Post 16, and have ambitions for
jobs, further education, and careers and that
they can thrive as independently as possible,
depending on their needs.

We are parent and child centred, work in
partnership with stakeholders, and have
open, robust but respectful conversations
with colleagues as we all strive for those best
outcomes. We are a skilled, experienced,
and knowledgeable team and have good
knowledge of the complex education
system and can advise and support families
about appropriate provisions, support and
managing the bureaucratic and legislative
challenges for students with SEND.

Post 16

At Minsthorpe Community College we are
committed to the Continuing Professional
Development (CPD) and learning of all members of
staff at every career stage and level of experience.
We recognise the value of evidence-informed
training with an overall to impact positively on
students’ outcomes and experiences. We are
active partners in many local networks, including
the Wakefield and Selby Teaching School Hub.

Associate
Teams

Our core Associate staff teams consist of
Administration, Finance, IT Services, and Data
& Exams. These teams are based in The Hub,
which is a large open-plan office in the centre of
college, where they are easily accessible to offer
support, advice, and guidance to staff, students
and each other.

Our ongoing Professional Development &
Learning programme is planned and structured
to develop the knowledge and skills of teachers
and student support staff around the Core
Principles of Learning & Teaching whilst giving
them a growing awareness of key elements.
Our Early Career Teachers have full access to
the UCL Early Career Framework and leaders
engage with NPQ programmes to support their
development.

Professional
Development

Our Core Principles of Quality Learning &
Teaching are formed based on a wide range of
experience and expertise within Minsthorpe
Community College but equally through
accessing well-regarded and researched
pedagogical texts. Resultant CPD will draw on
these texts to form the basis of their content
and delivery.

CPD: The
Minsthorpe
Way

Thank you for taking the time to read
this overview of Minsthorpe Community
College. We recommend that you explore
our website to discover more about us:
www.minsthorpe.cc

Catherine Green
Director of HR & Associate Teams
September 2024

Professional
Learning and
Development
Associate Staff

Associate staff engage in whole College
statutory training e.g., Safeguarding but equally
have access to other training pertinent to their
respective roles. The list below is not exhaustive
but gives a flavour of the range of training
opportunities available:

• Access Arrangements training;

• HLTA status

• Apprenticeships

• Team Teach

• Invigilator training

• First Aid

"The curriculum is
ambitious for all pupils ...
Pupils with special
educational needs and/or
disabilities (SEND) are
involved in all aspects of
school life.".

Ofsted, 2023

Teaching
Assistant

Salary Grade G4
Actual Salary £16,807 - £17,073

Term-time only
30 hours per week
8.15am to 2.45pm

Student Support
We are looking to appoint an enthusiastic, and
talented Teaching Assistant to work within the
College’s Student Support team.

Under the direction and supervision of Student
Support staff, you will support students’ learning,
attend to students’ personal SEMH needs, and
provide general support in managing students and
the classroom.

Minsthorpe Community College is a place where
everyone plays a part in strengthening our learning
community through Motivation, Commitment and
Care. Our most recent Ofsted report (2023) described
us as a “Good college” who “invests in staff’s
development. This means that staff feel valued and
are proud to work at the school ... Leader's support
staff well and consider their workload and well-
being.“

The successful candidate will:

• Be committed to enhancing young people’s

learning.

• Have excellent oral and written communication

skills.

• Have good organisational and IT skills.
• Enjoy working as part of a team.
• Have high expectations of young people’s

values of Motivation, Commitment and Care.

We provide:

• A well-resourced, forward thinking, and

supportive College team.

• Excellent care and support for all staff.
• Comprehensive induction and on-going

The successful candidate will have to meet the
requirements of our Person Specification and be
subject to an enhanced DBS check. A prohibition
from teaching check and an online search will
also be completed for all applicants.

Minsthorpe Community College is committed to
equality of opportunity and upholding the
principles of the Equality Act 2010. We positively
welcome applications from all sections of the
community. Only applications submitted with a
completed Minsthorpe Academy Trust
Application Form will be considered.

Full-time permanent employees are provided
with free membership of our state-of-the-art on-
site Sports & Fitness Centre, as well as the facility
of a Children’s Centre.

Further particulars for this post can be obtained
by visiting our Web Site at www.minsthorpe.cc

If you would like to arrange a visit to the college,
we would be more than happy to show you
around so you can get a feel for who we are.
Email enquiries@minsthorpe.cc and we will
arrange a convenient time for you to come and
visit Minsthorpe Community College.

Please send completed application forms to Cath
Green, Director of HR & Associate Teams: -
cgreen@minsthorpe.cc by midday Monday 9th
December 2024

Job Description
Overall Purpose
of the Post

Under the direction and supervision of Student
Support or line manager (eg Higher Level
Teaching Assistant), to support students’
learning, to attend to students’ personal SEMH
needs and to provide general support in
managing students and the classroom.

Both the size of the student body and the college
site, will require staff to be physically able to
manage this demanding role.

All adults working in, or on behalf of the college
have a responsibility to safeguard and promote
the welfare of children. This includes:

A responsibility to provide a safe environment in
which children can learn and develop.

Identifying children who may be in need of extra
help or who are suffering, or are likely to suffer
significant harm. All staff then have a
responsibility to take appropriate action to
prevent concerns from escalating, working with
services as needed.

Employment
checks required

Proof of eligibility to work in the UK

Proof of relevant qualifications (original certificates)

Two satisfactory references

DBS Enhanced Disclosure check

A Prohibition Order check and online search

A medical assessment prior to commencement of
employment.

Key
Accountabilities

To assist with the supervision of students
outside of lesson times, including before and
after college and at snack breaks. These duties
shall be undertaken within the post-holder’s
contractual hours.

To prepare the classroom as directed for
lessons and to clear afterwards.

To assist with the display of work.

To assist with the maintenance of equipment
and resources.

To assist students in using resources, eg ICT.

To participate in college visits, assisting with
activities as required.

To undertake routine clerical duties including
bulk photocopying.

To participate in appropriate meetings with
colleagues, and other outside
agencies/persons, relative to the above duties
and responsibilities.

Other duties commensurate with the grade of
the post as directed by the Principal/Line
Manager.

To support students with their social and
emotional wellbeing.

Escort students with additional needs to ensure
their safety when moving between lessons and
around college site.

Establish good relationships with students,
acting as a role model and being aware of and
responding appropriately to individual needs.

To assist with the personal needs of students
including social, health, physical, hygiene, first
aid and welfare matters.

To report to the teacher or line manager on
student emotional welfare, progress and
achievements in accordance with college policy.

To assist the teacher or line manager by
contributing as directed to a students’ individual
support and provision.

To provide or gather routine information to or
from parents/carers under the direction of the
teacher or line manager.

To report to the teacher or line manager any
student problems or behavioural difficulties in
accordance with college policy.

Person
Specification

Education, Training and
Qualifications

Level 2 Numeracy / Literacy or willingness to
work towards this

Support Work in Schools (S.W.I.S.) Level 2

Supporting students with S.E.N. Level 2 or 3
qualification

Or

Relevant experience.

Experience

Experience of working or caring for children

Experience of establishing and maintaining
positive working relationships with a range of
stakeholders, at all levels

Experience using and updating records and
databases

Experience of working in a fast-paced
environment.

Commitment to safeguarding and promoting
the welfare of students.

Skills and Knowledge

Good numeracy/literacy skills

The ability to relate well with children and adults

The ability to work as a member of a team.

The ability to adapt to change.

Appropriate knowledge of First Aid

Use of Technology e.g., ICT

Child Protection issues, Health, Safety & Security
issues

Data Protection issues

Work constructively as part of a team,
understanding classroom roles and
responsibilities and your own position within
these

The ability to work in a physically demanding
role, across a large campus, providing support
to groups of students with varying needs

Personal Attributes

Confidence, flexibility, and adaptability

Good communication skills

Energy and commitment

High expectations of students and their
behaviour

A commitment to equal opportunities

Maintains high professional standards

Enjoy working alongside young people and
adults

Be supportive of the aims and ethos of
Minsthorpe Community College

Overview of
Curriculum Area
Accommodation
The Student Support area is split into three sections. The
main hub is based in the main block of the college and is
comprised of 6 classrooms, meeting rooms and offices, and a
curriculum area. There are also two additional Student
Support classrooms. There are two additional areas
strategically placed for students who are onsite but away
from the main cohort.

Staffing
The Student Support department consists of 26 members of
staff and includes teachers, Higher Level Teaching Assistants,
Higher Level Student Support (Senior Teaching Assistant) and
Student Support Key Workers (Teaching Assistants). Staff
have experience of teaching and delivering primary
curriculums, subject specialisms, learning difficulties, social
inclusion, and emotionally based interventions.

Curriculum
The College operates a two-week timetable with three 100-
minute lessons each day.

At KS3 we offer a Resource Provision, and a primary based
curriculum is delivered. We also have a Nurture curriculum
that supports learning and attachment difficulties and offers
a thematic and Social Emotional Aspects of Learning (SEAL)
approach. Additionally, for students whose behaviour is
acting as a barrier to learning, there is an onsite, away from
main site opportunity for supporting students to have time
away from lessons to have intensive intervention for their
emotional needs, complimented by a broad and balanced
curriculum. Additionally, targeted interventions for learning,
social and emotional needs are delivered, and a personalised
provision for students out of lessons due to specific
circumstances is managed, and support offered to ensure
that students access their learning.

At KS4 we offer a Resource Provision and students have the
opportunity to achieve appropriate qualifications at Entry
Level and Level typically due to their learning needs. We have
an Alternative Provision curriculum, currently delivering a
range of subjects to identified students. Additionally,
targeted interventions for learning, social and emotional
needs are delivered, and a personalised provision for
students out of lessons due to specific circumstances is
managed and support offered to ensure that students access
their learning.

Support In and At the Classroom

There are a range of supports for students. Although we do not have
classroom support attached to students routinely, staff do support
learning in lessons where planned, and support emotional and
behavioural difficulties with request from students and teachers.
Additional physical resources such as ear defenders and laptops are also
issued. Some students can leave the class without permission due to
identified needs.

Intervention
A small number of students may not be attending certain lessons for
periods of time, and they have a supervised classroom where they
access learning with support. We also do specified interventions to
support students social emotional, communication, language and
learning needs.

Enrichment

Our KS3 Resource Provision students have been to the Yorkshire Wildlife
Park, we have talks to support students’ development for example on
sexual health and knife crime. We offer an after-school homework club
and a staffed safe classroom at snack breaks that encourages positive
social development. We work closely with a range of agencies to
support students holistic and academic years and have received national
recognition for our deployment of support services.

Culture and Ethos
We provide Motivation, Commitment and Care for students requiring
support with the aim of ensuring that they achieve their best possible
outcomes, they transition to Post 16, and have ambitions for jobs,
further education, and careers, and that they can thrive as
independently as possible, depending on their needs.

We believe that we are parent and child centred, work in partnership
with stakeholders and have open, robust but respectful conversations
with colleagues as we all strive for those best outcomes. We are a skilled,
experienced, and knowledgeable team and have good knowledge of the
complex education system and can advise and support families about
appropriate provisions, support and managing the bureaucratic and
legislative challenges for students with SEND.

Matthew Orr
Director of Student Support