Academic Support Assistant

We are looking for individuals with a great outlook, approach and personality to join our dynamic and friendly team.  Ideally experienced, although full training will be given.

Could you be our next Academic Support Assistant based on a Term Time basis with a range of hours per week? In return, you will receive a competitive salary of £20,705 Full Time Equivalent [pending 3.4% approx pay increase] (£7,286 – £15,938 pro rata including holiday uplift) and great benefits.

At Bournemouth & Poole College our staff are passionate and committed to achieve the very best outcomes for our students – we transform lives. We recognise and value our people as our most important asset in achieving each of the outcomes within our College’s Strategic Plan. We believe it is through our people that an excellent student experience will be delivered, and this will have a positive impact in our local community.

We value inclusion and we are committed to the promotion of equality, diversity, and inclusion, ensuring we have a diverse, skilled, and motivated workforce who are empowered and engaged. This makes our College a unique, vibrant and rewarding place to work.  You will be employed through Southern Educational Professional Services Ltd; a subsidiary of the College.

About the Academic Support Assistant role:

The primary purpose of this role is to make education inclusive to students with additional needs and ensure they are provided with a positive and supported learning experience. Academic Support Assistants enable students with additional needs to successfully complete their programme of study; helping students by working in conjunction with teaching staff to provide support on an individual or small group basis. The nature of this will vary considerably according to the unique needs of each individual student or student group.

The general job description below outlines the range of duties that may be required. Academic Support Assistants may be required to undertake any or all of these duties.

As our Academic Support Assistant you will:

• Work under the direction of teaching staff (class tutors and specialist practitioners) to provide high-quality specialist support. This will include English and maths support, support for learners with Autism and/or support for learners with specific learning disabilities
• Continually review and assess student needs and progress
• Encourage and support students to develop their skills in working independently
• Provide necessary support before teaching sessions, including the setting up of equipment/resources
• Provide necessary support during teaching sessions, including helping the student to interpret notes, checking understanding of vocabulary, recapping learning
• Provide necessary support after teaching sessions, including support for homework/completing assignments or finishing off activities set in class
• Provide tailored support outside of the classroom as required; this may take place as a support session in the Study Centre
• Develop strategies to support student organisational skills, for example – prioritising tasks in order to meet assignment deadlines
• Support access to learning for students with a diverse and wide range of needs
• Establish good relationships with students, acting as a role model and being aware of and responding appropriately to individual needs and goals
• Promote the inclusion and acceptance of all students
• Encourage students to interact with others and engage in learning activities
• Deliver small group activities within a larger class as required and in conjunction with specialist skills
• Use ICT effectively to engage students and promote interaction

As our Academic Support Assistant you’ll ideally have:

• Understanding of additional learning needs and disabilities
• Broad knowledge of both academic and vocational curriculum and delivery models
• Knowledge of basic Microsoft packages such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint
• Knowledge of safeguarding
• Experience in using online record keeping systems
• Experience in the effective use of email and online calendar systems
• Experience in engaging with a range of individuals at all ages and academic levels
• Level 2 Maths and English

Benefits:

You will receive excellent benefits and a competitive salary:

• 27.5 days annual leave plus bank holidays, increasing to 30.5 after 5 years’ service
• up to 4 days additional leave during the Christmas closure period
• Free parking at all of our college sites (where spaces are available)
• Cycle to Work scheme
• Enrolment into the NEST Pension Scheme

If you feel you are the right candidate for this Academic Support Assistant role then please click ‘apply’ now! We’d love to hear from you!

Closing date: 07 February 2024

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.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults, and expects all staff to share this commitment. The successful applicant will be required to undertake appropriate safeguarding checks which includes an enhanced DBS check as well as providing proof of right to work in the UK.