Job Description

Who we are.

Activate Learning is a pioneering education group with a global reach, committed to transforming lives through our approach to learning.

We see our employees as individuals, empowering them to make the right choices for their ambitions and careers. We value our people as vital to our continued success and aspire to a diverse, open and inclusive environment that provides the motivation for everyone to pursue their career goals and flourish.

When you work for Activate Learning, you\'re working for an organisation that provides you with the advantages of a large employer, a trusted partner in your career development, and a transformational way of working whilst also investing in building a community environment for everyone.

Together, we will bring out the best version of yourself.

Activate Learning promotes independence to enable learners to leave the college ready for the world of work or further study. The learners at our Merrist Wood College are mainly undertaking courses at levels 1-3 in areas such as agriculture, horticulture, animal care, countryside and environment, horse management, forestry and arboriculture, landscaping, public services, and football coaching.

As a teaching assistant at Merrist Wood, you will be open to supporting students in a variety of settings, from classrooms, to stables, to animal enclosures, to the tractor driving area, to ditches in the woods, including the possibility of being outside in all weathers. You should be prepared for a day that could include English or maths lessons, assisting with lambing, and learning about plant species. Patience, flexibility, teamwork, and a good sense of humour are key attributes for our teaching assistants.

About the role

As a Teaching Assistant, you\'ll be supporting learners across a range of courses and be responsible for their wellbeing. No two days will be the same!

You\'ll be participating in timetabled activities and providing support to our learners to ensure they are reaching their full academic potential. With your strong communication skills, you\'ll establish good working relationships with learners to enable the learner to build and develop their confidence and motivation.

As part of the college team, you\'ll be assisting the tutor and learner to ensure that the learning is appropriate to meet their needs. You\'ll be joining a committed team who are student-focused and provide high-quality learner support across the college.

Please note - The department is open between the hours of 9am - 5pm and you will need to be able to work within these times The hourly rate offered for these positions is from \xc2\xa310.66ph. (Term time only salary calculator - your pay will be based on your working hours per week, multiplied by the number of weeks worked, plus 6 weeks holiday and will be spread equally over 12 months).

What do you need to be a successful Teaching Assistant at Activate Learning?

As a teaching assistant you will:

• E Literate and competent in IT packages e.g., Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Publisher.
• You will have a creative approach to motivating learners and an innovative approach to delivering support
• Experience of working in an FE environment would be advantageous but it is not essential
• A level 3 Support Assistant qualification or equivalent but this is not essential

Alongside excellent interpersonal and communication skills, you will also have a proactive attitude to problem solving and be able to identify learner support needs. The successful candidate will be able to develop independence in learners and to encourage them to take more responsibility for their own learning.

Why work with the Activate Learning Group?

Here are some of our benefits:

• Enrolment into generous pensions schemes
• Generous annual leave entitlement
• Excellent on-site facilities including free onsite parking, refectory facilities and a dedicated LSA Staffroom.
• An extensive Learning and Development programme with a range of CPD opportunities
• Specialised support and development for teaching staff
• Access to qualified coaches for all staff
• Leadership and Management development programmes
• Flexible working opportunities, where appropriate
• A comprehensive wellbeing programme including access to the Fika and Everymind app
• Mental Health support including access to Mental Health First Aiders
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Employee resource groups
• Cycle to work scheme
• Refer a friend vacancy incentive
• Access to student discount programmes

Applications are reviewed and shortlisted on a rolling basis, and we reserve the right to interview, appoint and close adverts early due to the volume of applications we receive. We therefore encourage you to apply at the earliest opportunity to avoid disappointment as once we have closed a vacancy you will be unable to submit your application form.

Activate Learning is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all its staff to share this commitment. Successful applicants will be required to undergo a DBS check at the appropriate level. Applicants must be eligible to work in the UK as we do not sponsor work permits and work permits from other organisations are unacceptable as proof of right to work in the UK. Applications are encouraged from all candidates meeting or exceeding the minimum criteria for the role regardless of age, disability, gender, orientation, race, religion or ethnicity.

Activate Learning are committed to employing people with disabilities and will ensure our recruitment process is inclusive and accessible. If you require any reasonable adjustments either at application or interview stage please contact the talent team directly.

If an agency submits an unsolicited CV to any partner or employee of our company, you should be aware that they have no authority to enter into an arrangement with you. Should we require recruitment agency involvement, we will contact the agencies on our preferred suppliers list, and we would ask that you respect the relationships we have already built with these suppliers.

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