Learning Support Assistant - High School Mainstream

St Andrews International School Bangkok is one of 88 schools in the Nord Anglia Education (NAE) family. We offer a British educational curriculum with an international perspective that begins in Nursery and leads up to IGCSE examinations in Year 11, and culminates with the International Baccalaureate Diploma after completing Year 13. We are an inclusive school that invites children from all backgrounds and abilities to participate in the educational offerings on our diverse campus.
Founded in 1997 on an attractive, conveniently located site, with excellent facilities and access to local transportation. Today we have more than 2,400 students over a Primary School and High School campus, representing some 68 nationalities ranging from Foundation Stage to Year 13. Our state-of-the-art High School campus (next to Ekkamai BTS) opened in August 2017 giving our students the benefit of world-class teaching and facilities.
As part of the NAE family of schools, we are delighted to be able to offer some unique collaborations with world-class establishments, including the Juilliard School of Performing Arts, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), and UNICEF.
Duties & Responsibilities
Learning Support Assistants (LSAs) in the Learning Support Department are full-time members of the team. They work alongside specialist teachers, classroom teachers, subject teachers and therapists to ensure that students' learning needs are met and that they can access mainstream curriculum activities wherever possible.
LSAs collaborate closely with specialist teachers to ensure that student programmes are well coordinated and that strategies are applied consistently to maximise student success.
LSAs are also expected to engage in professional development opportunities and apply their learning to everyday classroom practice.
This is a demanding role that involves:

• Establishing caring and supportive relationships with students.
  
• Building effective working relationships with class and subject teachers.
  
• Developing professional communication with parents.
  
• Developing a broad understanding of different disabilities, learning difficulties and curriculum areas.
  
• Being aware of the needs of individual students, applying appropriate strategies and anticipating the implications of these needs across different learning environments.
  

Key Responsibilities
Learning Support Assistants support teachers in meeting students' needs by:

• Being punctual to all timetabled lessons and participating fully under the direction of the class teacher.
  
• Following strategies outlined in Individual Learning Plans to support students in achieving their individual goals.
  
• Adapting tasks and assisting in the preparation of learning materials and resources.
  
• Differentiating language and reinforcing activities where required.
  
• Clarifying and explaining content or instructions through visual, written or verbal support.
  
• Supporting students to use equipment and learning tools appropriately.
  
• Facilitating positive behaviour and encouraging constructive interactions between students.
  
• Encouraging students to develop independence and take responsibility for their own learning where appropriate.
  
• Communicating closely with parents and taking guidance from specialist staff on how best to support families.
  
• Accompanying and assisting students and staff during community experiences, school trips, work experience placements and whole-school activities such as cultural events, productions and inter-school activities.
  
• Participating in other school duties and activities as directed by the Head of Phase or Head of School.
  

Candidate Profile
In addition to the professional attributes expected of a Learning Support Assistant, this is a demanding and potentially physically and emotionally challenging role. Candidates should therefore be:

• Enthusiastic and committed to their professional and personal development.
  
• Sensitive and willing to support the personal care needs of students where required.
  
• Positive, encouraging and motivating when supporting student learning and development.
  

Safeguarding
St Andrews is committed to ensuring the safety and wellbeing of all our students and expects all staff to share this commitment (see our Child Protection Code of Conduct).
No applicant will be appointed without at least two references, including one from the most recent employer, a ten-year criminal record check, and relevant regional Prohibition Order/DBS checks.
At Nord Anglia Education we are committed to providing a world class, safe, happy environment in which children and young people can thrive and learn. We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all our pupils where we embrace all race, abilities, religions, genders, and cultures.
All post holders in regulated activity (having regular unsupervised contact with children) are subject to appropriate national and international vetting procedures including satisfactory criminal record checks from both your country of residence/birth and any country of residence within the last 10 years.
We welcome applications from suitable qualified persons from all diverse backgrounds
Please note, only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.