Teaching Assistant (Visual Impairment)

Are you passionate about helping young people with visual impairment access learning, build confidence and become increasingly independent?

Lift Clacton is seeking a caring, enthusiastic and committed Teaching Assistant (Visual Impairment) to join our team. You will work in partnership with teachers and specialist colleagues to support students with visual impairment to access the curriculum, participate fully in school life and achieve their potential.

About the role

As a Teaching Assistant (Visual Impairment), you will provide targeted support to students with visual impairment, helping them access lesson content and learning activities while promoting independence, confidence, self esteem and social inclusion.

You will work closely with teachers, the SENDCo and specialist professionals to understand individual students' needs and implement appropriate strategies. This will include supporting the adaptation of learning resources into accessible formats, helping students use assistive technology and accessibility tools, and following specialist advice and programmes where required.

You will also support students to develop strategies for accessing learning and navigating the school environment with increasing confidence, while ensuring that support encourages independence rather than over-reliance on adult assistance.

In this role, you will:

• Develop an understanding of students' learning needs, including visual impairment and other SEND needs, and support them to access lesson content and learning objectives.
• Adapt support and learning resources to meet the needs of students with visual impairment, including enlarged, tactile or digital materials where appropriate.
• Support students in using appropriate assistive technology and accessibility tools to access learning.
• Follow specialist advice and programmes provided by teachers, QTVIs and other appropriately qualified professionals.
• Help students develop independence, confidence, self-esteem and effective learning skills.
• Work in partnership with teachers to support high-quality lessons and contribute to assessment of students' learning.
• Deliver individual and small-group targeted interventions within agreed parameters.
• Support students to access the school environment, trips, enrichment and wider activities as independently as possible, following specialist guidance where appropriate.
• Build positive relationships with students and consistently support the academy's expectations for behaviour.
• Support students' social, emotional and mental health, wellbeing and personal care in line with academy procedures.
• Monitor students' responses and progress, record achievements and provide feedback to teaching staff and specialist colleagues.

What we're looking for

• GCSE Maths and English at Grade 4 or equivalent, or willingness to work towards the relevant functional skills qualifications.
• A Level 3 Teaching Assistant qualification or willingness to work towards one.
• A basic understanding of child learning and development, or willingness to learn.
• Good communication and interpersonal skills, with a calm, patient and empathetic approach.
• The ability to work collaboratively with teachers, SEND colleagues and specialist professionals.
• The ability to adapt support and learning resources to meet the needs of students with visual impairment.
• Confidence in learning and using accessibility tools and assistive technology.
• The ability to follow specialist advice and programmes provided by teachers, QTVIs or other professionals.
• An understanding of the importance of promoting independence and avoiding over-reliance on adult support.
• Previous experience supporting children or young people with visual impairment, knowledge of assistive technology, experience adapting accessible resources, awareness of Braille, tactile resources or enlarged print, or experience working with specialist sensory/VI services would be desirable.

About Lift Clacton

Lift Clacton is a rapidly improving school at the heart of the community and achieved 'Good' in its most recent Ofsted inspection in June 2024. The school has experienced significant growth, with more than 1,500 students now on roll.

We believe every child deserves an excellent education, every classroom, every day. Our staff are ambitious, supportive and committed to helping every student succeed, creating a culture where colleagues are valued and encouraged to develop professionally.

Joining Lift Clacton means becoming part of Lift Schools, one of the country's largest multi-academy trusts, offering excellent professional development, career progression opportunities and a comprehensive employee benefits package.

Visits to the school are warmly encouraged. For an informal discussion about the post or to arrange a visit, please contact Saran Vijay, School Operations Manager, at svijay@liftclacton.org.