Vacancies
Brynllywarch Hall School - Teaching Assistant Apprentice
Job Description
Brynllywarch Hall School is a special school that supports pupils aged 7 to 19 years old with complex emotional, social and behavioural special educational needs alongside specific learning difficulties and other additional learning needs.
Our values:
Professional - Whatever role we play in the council, we act with professionalism and integrity
Positive - We take a positive attitude in all we do
Progressive - We take a proactive and responsible approach to planning for the future
Open - We keep each other informed, share knowledge and act with honesty and integrity
Collaborative - We work constructively and willingly on joint initiatives
Duties include:
This apprenticeship role provides an excellent opportunity to gain hands-on experience working within a school environment while undertaking a Level 2 or Level 3 Supporting Teaching and Learning qualification. The apprentice will work under the direction of teachers and school staff to support pupils’ learning, well-being, and development.
The role involves:
- Supporting teaching and learning activities in the classroom.
- Working with individual pupils or small groups, including those with additional learning needs (ALN).
- Assisting in the preparation of learning materials and maintaining an engaging classroom environment.
- Encouraging pupils’ literacy, numeracy, and communication skills.
- Providing support during break times, extra-curricular activities, and school trips.
- Helping pupils with personal care needs (e.g., toileting, feeding, mobility) under supervision.
- Learning about and applying key school policies, including safeguarding, confidentiality, and behaviour management.
- Developing professional relationships with teachers, staff, and pupils
Main Responsibilities & Duties:
Supporting Learning & Development
- Work under the direction of the class teacher to assist in lesson delivery and learning activities.
- Prepare and organise learning materials before and after lessons.
- Provide one-to-one and small group support to pupils, including those with additional learning needs (ALN).
- Assist with literacy, numeracy, and communication skill development.
- Support pupils in following Individual Education Plans (IEPs) and Behaviour Plans under teacher guidance.
Classroom & Pupil Support
- Help maintain a safe, tidy, and engaging learning environment.
- Support in managing pupil behaviour following school policies.
- Assist pupils during transitions between lessons and activities.
- Provide personal care support where required (e.g., toileting, feeding, mobility).
Supervision & Extra-Curricular Support
- Supervise and engage with pupils during break times, lunch, and outdoor activities.
- Accompany staff and pupils on educational visits and school trips, ensuring their safety and engagement.
- Promote positive social interactions and support pupils’ emotional and social development.
Professional Development & Training
- Fully engage with the apprenticeship programme, attending training and completing assignments.
- Learn from experienced staff and develop best practices in teaching support.
- Gain a comprehensive understanding of school policies, including safeguarding, equality, and confidentiality.
- Work towards achieving a Level 2 or Level 3 Supporting Teaching and Learning qualification.
Communication & Teamwork
- Build professional relationships with teachers, staff, and pupils.
- Provide feedback to teachers on pupils' progress and engagement.
- Communicate effectively with staff, parents, and carers, as appropriate.
- Participate in meetings and discussions regarding pupils' learning and well-being
Essential Criteria:
- Previous experience working with young people or educational setting
- Good organisational skills
- Strong communication skills
- Can plan own work when required
- Can transfer theory/training into practice
- Can solve problems
- Can exercise initiative and independent action
- Is pro-active in offering ideas
- Ability to work with groups of 8 to 10 students as well as one to one.
- Ability to work and support pupils with ASC.
- Understand school’s policies and how they relate to local and national frameworks/policies (E.g. child protection, health & safety, equal ops, SEN Code of Practice, Disability Discrimination Act)
- Have a good level of knowledge and understanding of SEN and areas of the curriculum.
- Can use ICT effectively to support learning and use other technology equipment related to pupils’ needs
- Able to deal with emotional demands placed on the role
Desirable Criteria:
The Successful candidate should have: -
- Experience of working with students with social, emotional and behavioural difficulties.
- Have at least GCSE (or equivalent) in English, Welsh if required and Maths (A*-C) and be able to present information verbally and in writing to others
- Have experience of TA/ SEN TA work.
- Have attended further training on aspects of the curriculum or areas of specific special need.
- Have additional communication skills – e.g. basic sign language / Makaton
- Welsh Language Requirement - I can, or am prepared to learn within a reasonable time period, how to pronounce Welsh personal and place-names correctly, and I can give and respond to basic greetings on the telephone or in person.
As part of this apprenticeship, the successful candidate will undertake a structured training programme that includes:
- On-the-job training – gaining practical experience within a school setting.
- Off-the-job training – attending sessions covering safeguarding, behaviour management, child development, and learning strategies.
- Regular assessments and feedback to track progress and improve skills.
- Additional learning support, particularly in literacy, numeracy, and communication.
This is an excellent opportunity to develop a career in education with progression opportunities available upon successful completion.
Entry Requirements & Expectations
- A strong interest in working in an educational setting.
- A willingness to learn and undertake professional training.
- A commitment to completing the apprenticeship and gaining the qualification.
- Good communication, teamwork, and interpersonal skills.
- A professional and responsible approach to working with children.
- Full adherence to school safeguarding and conduct policies.