Happy Christmas from Classroom

Well its finally Christmas week. The majority of schools have now closed and for many the celebrations have begun.

Classroom continues to operate through the Christmas period, albeit with a skeleton staff. For all of us at Classroom this is also our opportunity to take a well earned break!

The office will be open at the following times:

Monday December 21st - 10 - 4pm

Tuesday December 22nd - 10 - 4pm

Wednesday December 23rd - 10 - 4pm

Tuesday December 29th - 10 - 2pm

Wednesday December 30th - 10 - 2pm

We re open as normal at 7am on Monday January 4th and this blog will return during the first week of the new term.

In the meantime on behalf of everyone here at Classroom, thank you for all of your hard work and we look forward to working with you again in 2010.

HAPPY CHRISTMAS!

Guest Blog: An invitation to a Special Needs school's Christmas performance

Today's guest blogger is Eleanor Esson, a consultant in the Special Needs division of Classroom. At this time of year many of the consultants at Classroom are lucky enough to receive invitations to various schools' Christmas productions. Eleanor relates her experience at one such performance below:

On Wednesday, a colleague and I had the privilege to be invited to a lovely SLD (Severe Learning Difficulties) school in Croydon to watch their annual Christmas concert. As a relatively new consultant at Classroom I was not sure what to expect at an SEN concert.

Pupils at this school have a range of Needs, some more severe than others. The pupil’s disabilities in this school would include Severe Autism, Global Delay and Down Syndrome. This would mean that some students may be non-verbal and some may have physical and medical conditions.

Upon arrival at the school we were warmly greeted by very friendly staff, and had coffee with parents. The atmosphere was buzzing as the parents excitedly awaited their children’s performances. This was my first realisation how much more this play would mean to the parents of children with disabilities. Our own lives can seem so far removed from the difficulties that occur in day to day life for not only SEN pupil’s but also their families.

We took our seats behind post-16 pupils who all eagerly anticipated the arrival of their their fellow students. With a burst of music, lights and clapping; we were treated to spectacular performances from each class including music from the 70’s, high school musical and many Christmas songs.

The performance though that I was most struck by, was a wonderful rendition of Michael Jackson's Thriller. The pupils wore fabulous zombie costumes that each pupil had made by hand. Their movements and timing through-out were fantastic. The efforts of the students and their dance teacher had certainly paid off as we all sat captivated by what really was a stunning performance.

After the show I observed one boy proudly showing his older brother all the work he had done that term. This experience really showed me that with the support and guidance of dedicated family and school staff, so much can be achieved by pupils with SEN. The true spirit of Christmas had really shone - The staff and pupils in this school are true inspiration to us all.

Thank's Eleanor. Have any of our other readers been moved by a school Christmas production? Its definitely a highlight of the Consultant's year at Classroom!

Guest Blogger: Bryn the Brit on TA's Versus LSA's!

Our Guest blogger today is Bryn Morin who is currently working as a Learning Support Assistant with Classroom. She is an avid blogger herself and I cannot recommend her Bryn the Brit postings more highly.

Bryn hails from Canada like many of our wonderful teachers and support staff who are here teaching in London and she has kindly allowed me to repost her recent blog where she talks about the differences between Teaching Assistants and Learning Support Assistants. It's a superb post and well worth taking the time to read:

In the short time I've been here, my job title has shifted from Teaching Assistant to Learning Support Assistant. These terms can sometimes be used more or less interchangeably, but at my school, it's an important distinction.

Every classroom has a TA. TAs assist in teaching and controlling the whole class. LSAs, on the other hand, are assigned to specific pupils who have been identified as requiring one-to-one support. There is some overlap, of course... I do help out with other things, but my assigned student is usually my first priority.

The required qualifications (having experience working with children) are technically the same for both roles, but I think most people are probably better suited to one or the other. I, for example, am definitely better off working as an LSA. I just like it better. But during my interview, the Head Teacher told me that there's no way she'd be able to stand working with the same pupil day in and day out. Different personality types, I guess.

So what does it take to be a great Learning Support Assistant?

Patience

When you're working with a child who has Special Educational Needs (SEN), learning and progress are bound to be part of a gradual process. Patience, understanding, and the love of a good challenge in this regard are absolutely vital.

Adaptability

Often, children with SEN require information to be presented to them in a variety of ways, and you may find yourself having to think up many new tricks on the fly. A solid understanding of pedagogy, as well as knowledge the child's individual needs, will help with this. Depending on what their needs are, their behaviour may also be unpredictable and you must be equipped to deal with that.

Ability to multitask

Your official role may revolve around one particular child, but that child does not exist in a vacuum. You will find yourself having to get involved in classroom management, administrative tasks, and teaching or assisting other pupils. You may also have to work in small groups with children who all have wildly different needs. Rarely will you find a moment when you don't have 5 or 6 children all trying to get your attention at the same time. You must be able to manage all of this at once, while still ensuring that your assigned pupil's needs are being met.

All of those qualities could be applied to being a TA, as well. But there's one more magical ingredient that's difficult to put into words.

What I love best about being an LSA is forming a bond with my student and watching her grow. It is a very personal experience and, for me, a very rewarding one. There have been days when I've gone home absolutely glowing, all because she successfully spelled a word, remembering to put the letters in the correct order. She and I celebrate many small victories together. She's rewarded with praise and stickers; I'm rewarded with big toothy grins.

To be a really great LSA, I think, you need to believe there's nothing better in the world than that.

Thanks Bryn - a great blog and a great description of what is needed to be a superb Learning Support Assistant. What do other readers think? Are there any other important qualities a person may need to indeed be a truly effective LSA?

Classroom Job Alert

Its Friday, which means it's Classroom's job posting day. As ever - for all teaching positions you must hold a recognised teaching qualification and for Classroom Assistant vacancies experience of working with children in some form is also a requirement.

Please note that due to the volume of applications we receive we can only respond to those applicants who are successful.

Secondary Job Vacancies

English Teacher - Jan 2010

One of our better schools in Central London are recruiting an English teacher from January 2010 until the end of the academic year in the first instance. This is an all-girls school with an excellent reputation in the borough, with fabulous staff and fantastic facilities. You would need to have had at least one years experience teaching English in the UK up to GCSE level with excellent references.

• Maths NQT

January start, interviews to be conducted immediately

• The school is looking for a fully qualified Maths teacher and is very encouraging towards employing an NQT

• The staff at the school are highly committed to their students success• The school boasts outstanding facilities and a dedicated staff to help students shine in and out of the classroom

• You will be required to teach Maths to KS3 & 4 and the successful candidate will be fortunate enough to work alongside a very supportive Head of Maths – the perfect opportunity for an NQT that is looking to further their teaching career with the guidance of a very supportive and experienced department.

Please contact the Secondary team on 020 7636 0600 or email us: secondary@classroomteachers.co.uk

Classroom Assistant & Support Vacancies

• Higher Learning Support Assistant for EBD Centre

Classroom Ltd is looking to recruit a highly experienced Learning Support Assistant to work in an EBD Centre in Bromley. The students are secondary ages and are on the brink of being permanently excluded.

You will need to have experience working either as an unqualified teacher or use to working with small groups of students. This position will be a challenge but you will have a lot of support from the centre manager. The role will be to start in January 2010 and could be through till summer 2010.

Please only send your CV if you have the relevant experience and the following:

· Minimum of 3 months experience working in a school
· The right to work in the UK
· Recent CRB check
· You’re able to provide 2 written references or referee details that cover the last 2 years of your employment – one child related.

• Learning Support Assistant for PRU


• Classroom Ltd is looking to recruit a Learning Support Assistant to work in a primary PRU in South London. The position is to begin in January and will be through till Spring 2010.
  
  For this position you will need to have some experience working with children who have emotional and behaviour difficulties. It’s not essential that you’ve worked in a PRU before but it is essential that you have worked in a school environment. This position also requires you to go to other schools in the same area as the PRU to help prevent students from being permanently excluded from their school. The PRU is very well managed and everyone works as a team so you will need to be a team player as well as having a good sense of humor.
  
  Please only send your CV if you have the relevant experience and the following:
  
• Minimum of 3 months experience working in a school
  The right to work in the UK
  Recent CRB check
  You’re able to provide 2 written references or referee details – one needs to be child related

Please contact the Support team on 020 7636 0600 or email: classroomassistant@classroomteachers.co.uk

SEN TEACHING VACANCIES

• Various Posts

Are you caring? Sensitive? Dedicated to helping others, with a can do attitude?
Classroom are looking for qualified teachers to teach in Special needs schools in Greenwich and Bexley from January 2010. Special needs schools typically have small class sizes and are well supported by the teaching assistants in the class. The job itself can often yield great rewards as it gives the opportunity to work with the students on a close basis and form good relationships with them. If you think you have what it takes and are interested, speak to someone in the SEN division.

Please contact the SEN team on 020 7636 0600 or alternatively email us at sen@classroomteachers.co.uk

Primary Teaching Vacancies

• Reception Teacher

A successful school in the borough of Greenwich requires a Reception class teacher for the January term. The school requests that you MUST have 2 years experience of teaching in the foundation stage. This post is for two terms until July. If you have a good understanding of the Early Years foundation stage then please contact Classroom ASAP.

• Reception Teacher

A very popular school in Southwark requires a Reception class teacher for a new January intake. This is a two form entry school in a modern building with excellent facilities. You must be an energetic and enthusiastic teacher with an understanding of the foundation stage. This post is for one term initially but could be extended.

Please contact the Primary team on 020 7636 0600 or email us: primary@classroomteachers.co.uk

Thats all for this week. Remember to keep us up to date with your current availability! We look forward to hearing from you.

Classroom Job Alert

Its Friday, which means it's Classroom's job posting day. As ever - for all teaching positions you must hold a recognised teaching qualification and for Classroom Assistant vacancies experience of working with children in some form is also a requirement.

Please note that due to the volume of applications we receive we can only respond to those applicants who are successful.

PRIMARY SCHOOL VACANCIES

• Reception Class Teacher

A school in South East London requires a Reception class teacher for its January intake for two terms. This is a very supportive school looking for someone with good Foundation stage experience. You must have good curriculum knowledge.

• KS2 PPA Teacher

Two schools in the Eastern boroughs of London are looking for a KS2 PPA teacher to cover classes across 2 primary schools which are linked. This is a full time post. You should be an experienced teacher who has knowledge of the UK curriculum (KS2 in particular) and can hit the ground running. You MUST have taught in the UK and be prepared for the flexibility necessary to work alongside two different Primary schools which may have different approaches. The schools have indicated that you should have a bright, outgoing and above all hard working approach. A PPA role is very much a team orientated role and you must be able to work well alngside a variety of personalities.

Please contact the Primary team on 020 7636 0600 or email us: primary@classroomteachers.co.uk

SEN TEACHING VACANCIES

• Intervention Centre Manager

Classroom has a fantastic opportunity to work as a Centre Manager in an intervention Centre from January 2010 onwards. This is a full time, long term position which would suit someone with a passion for working with EBD students and prior management experience.The centre supports students who are at risk of permanent exclusion from mainstream secondary schools due to their emotional behaviour difficulties. The ideal candidate will be experienced with EBD students and have a background working with challenging students in EBD Schools or PRUs. Prior Head or Deputy Head experience is not essential to this role however experience working in a management/Senior role within a School or Education Centre is. The candidate must be able to relate to both students and staff in order to create a successful learning environment.

Please contact the SEN team on 020 7636 0600 or alternatively email us at sen@classroomteachers.co.uk

CLASSROOM ASSISTANT & SUPPORT VACANCIES

• Support Assistants

The support division are currently looking for teaching assistants with a high amount of experience working with children who have Special Educational Needs or Emotional Behavioural Difficulties. This will be for positions working 1-2-1 or with small groups of children in Mainstream Schools. The main area of special needs you will be supporting will be Autism. The position will be to assist the children throughout the day in all classroom activities. Please only apply if you have a current CRB and at least one child related reference from within the last two years.

• Nursery Nurses

Classroom Teachers have positions in South-East London to work in mainstream primary schools working as a qualified Nursery Nurse. You will be working in between the nursery and reception class helping children with their play, learning, educational and social development. If you have experience working with early years children but don’t have the qualification, please do still send through your CV.
Nursery Nurses need to hold a relevant child care qualifications such as:

* CACHE Level 3 Diploma in Child Care and Education
* BTEC National Diploma in Children’s Care, Learning and Development
* NVQ Level 3 in Children’s Care, Learning and Development

Please contact the Support team on 020 7636 0600 or email: classroomassistant@classroomteachers.co.uk

SECONDARY SCHOOL VACANCIES

• English/Drama Teacher - KS3 (South London)

A fantastic mixed school, with a brand new building, are looking for a teacher of English who would be happy to teach some Drama classes as well. You would only be required to teach KS3 classes. The school is based in South London (Zone 2 ) with easy links into Central London. The post starts in January 2010 and the duration of the post is one term in the first instance.

• Maths Teacher - KS3 & 4 (NE London)

One of our biggest clients are looking for a Newly Qualified teacher of Mathematics to start in January 2010. This post will run for one term on a trial basis with the possibility of it leading into a permanent contract for the right candidate. You would be required to teach KS3 and 4 Maths with the chance of A Level teaching for suitable candidates. This is a fantastic opportunity for young teachers, UK trained and Overseas trained, to work in a modern, forward thinking educational environment.

Please contact the Secondary team on 020 7636 0600 or email us: secondary@classroomteachers.co.uk

Thats all for this week. Remember to keep us up to date with your current availability! We look forward to hearing from you.