• Department: Primary
• Reports to: Head of Primary
• Office Location: Doha British School
• Working Days: Sunday – Thursday
• Hours of Work: 7:00am-3:00pm 

A Teaching Assistant at DBS is expected to be energetic, enthusiastic, flexible and innovative in their approach to their work.  He/she should be a forward-looking person committed to providing quality education and who should have the highest possible expectation of students. He/she must also be committed to the development of their Year Group and the school. He/she must also be committed to his/her own professional development.

Main purpose: 

• To undertake educational support duties and assist the class teacher in the day to day needs of the pupils in their care. 
• To enable the teacher to implement the curriculum and respond to the pupil’s needs. 
• To maintain complete confidentiality on all school matters. 
• To abide by and work towards policies within the school and carry out duties in accordance with the equal opportunities policy.

Main tasks: 

Provide pupils with support as specified by the teacher

Your main task as TA will be to support pupils in the class under the direction of the class teacher. You will provide support according to the needs of the pupils at whichever level they are working. You will be expected to work with children of all academic abilities. Supervision and support may include working with individuals or small groups.

Establish and encourage good relationships within the class

As a member of support staff you will establish good relationships by using language and communication skills that pupils can understand and relate to. You will encourage pupils to interact with each other in an appropriate and acceptable manner, promote positive pupil behavior in line with school policies by the use of praise and encouragement. You will be expected to undertake playground supervision and deal with behavior issues, where necessary reporting any difficulties to a member of teaching staff.

Planning and delivery of tasks

As a class TA you will liaise with class teachers about the planning and delivery of activities and tasks. This may require some attendance of staff meetings, inset days and training as required. When delivering tasks, you will need to provide feedback to the teacher about the progress of pupils you work with. This may be verbally or by recording observations, as directed by the class teacher.

Working one-to-one or with small groups of pupils

TA’s will often be assigned to individual pupils who are in need of additional help, this may be because English is not their first language or because they have learning difficulties. You may also be asked to help individual children where one to one support is necessary e.g. listen to reading and use appropriate questioning techniques to determine level of understanding.

Preparing the classroom for lessons

A key role is in preparing the classroom for lessons. This may involve a variety of activities such as setting up art equipment, weighing out ingredients, preparing computers, rearranging furniture etc. The TA should be responsible for organizing all of the peripheral items that are essential to the smooth running of the lesson in order to ensure that when the class arrives they can get on with learning as quickly as possible.

Creating displays of pupil’s work. 

In addition to keeping things in good to order, TAs are also responsible for creating displays of children’s work, to enhance the learning environment as well as boost children’s self-esteem. You will work with the class teacher to decide how best to use the class display areas.

Helping on school outings and at school events.

You may sometimes be asked to help children beyond the classroom. This may be during lessons outside the classroom, such as in PE and swimming or might be during official school trips and school events. In such circumstances your role is most likely to be a supervisory one and to ensure children are safe and accounted for.

Provide clerical/administrative support e.g. photocopying, filing, collation of money etc.

Teaching assistants in the EYFS

In addition to the above you will also be expected to:

• Help pupils with toileting and dressing, whilst encouraging independence and paying particular attention to hygiene.
• Supervise and observe the children’s play activities and interact with and direct their learning as appropriate.
• Use a range of questions to promote learning through play in the EYFS.
• Organize and maintain toys and resources within the classroom and shared areas.

Teaching assistants in KS2

TA’s in KS2 will also be expected to:

• Know how statutory and non-statutory frameworks for the school curriculum relate to the age and ability ranges of the learners they support. 
• Monitor and evaluate pupil responses to learning activities through a range of assessment and monitoring strategies against pre-determined learning objectives.
• Deliver the learning activities to pupils within agreed system of supervision, adjusting activities according to pupil responses/needs.
• Accurately record achievement/progress as required.
• Administer assessment activities on behalf of the teacher.
• Discuss the pupil’s progress towards IEP targets.

Pre-school Teachers and Higher Level Teaching Assistants

Teachers must demonstrate:

• High expectations of children and young people with a commitment to helping them fulfill their potential
• Establish fair, respectful, trusting, supporting and constructive relationships with children and young people
• Demonstrate the positive values, attitudes and behavior they expect from children and young people
• Communicate effectively and sensitively with children, young people, colleagues, parents and careers.
• Recognize and respect the contribution that parents and careers can make to the development and well-being of young people
• That they understand key factors that affect children and young people’s learning and progress
• Know how to use literacy, math’s and ICT to support their professional activities
• Know how statutory and non-statutory frameworks for the school curriculum relate to the age and ability ranges of the learners they support
• Understand the objectives, content and intended outcomes for the learning activities in which they are involved.
• Know how to support learners in accessing the curriculum, including children with additional needs
• Devise clearly structured activities that interest and motivate learners and advance their learning
• Plan how to support the inclusions of the children and young people in learning activities.
• Monitor learner’s responses to activities and modify approaches accordingly
• Monitor learners progress in order to provide focused support and feedback
• Support the evaluation of learners’ progress using a range of assessment techniques
• Contribute to maintaining and analyzing records of learner’s progress
• Use effective strategies to promote positive behavior
• Advance learning when working with individuals, small groups or with the whole class
• Organize and manage learning activities in ways which keep learner’s safe
• Direct the work of other adults in supporting learning.

• Effective written and spoken English skills
• Ability to motivate/work with pupils
• Ability to develop a culture of mutual respect with pupils
• Reliable and thorough
• Initiative and a mature attitude
• Excellent organisational skills
• Ability to communicate appropriately with all staff and visitors
• Self-motivated and dedicated
• Tactful and diplomatic
• A pleasant personality with a good sense of humour
• Helpful and polite at all times
• Discretion and confidentiality
• The ability to think and work quickly, calmly and politely whilst under pressure
• The ability to prioritise
• IT skills, to include Microsoft Office and Outlook

• A good general education with a qualification to A level or equivalent in a subject is required
• Certificates in relevant areas such as Health & Safety, First Aid etc. would be an advantage

• At least relevant experience (e.g. classroom teacher)
• Experience of working in an educational environment (e.g. school, college university etc.) is required
• Experience of living and working in the Middle East (and in Qatar in particular) would be an advantage