Learning Support Assistant Repton School – DubaiUnited Arab Emirates Dubai

We are looking for a Learning Support Assistant for our Repton Dubai School.

We are looking to appoint a caring, compassionate, and excellent practitioner who has a passion for working with and supporting young pupils and families. The 1:1 Learning Support Assistant position is an exciting opportunity and will suit an experienced educator who has a passion for working with and supporting young pupils and families. The successful candidate will possess excellent communication, organisation and collaboration skills; and demonstrate a genuine resonance with the Repton values.

Responsibilities:

• Contribute to the education of the pupil in inclusive schools and classrooms by implementing, monitoring, and personalising adaptations.
• Prepare learning materials for use by the pupil under the direction of the Teacher.
• Collect formative assessment data/evidence on pupil performance and progress, based on systems designed by Teachers or the Inclusion Support Team.
• Facilitate peer interactions based on guidance from the Teacher and Inclusion Support Team.
• Apply current best practices and strategies learned through professional development courses, in-service training, or workshops.
• Help pupil with personal organisation and provide pastoral support, to help them settle in as quickly and successfully as possible into their new school.
• Translate, clarify and explain instructions to pupil, support if additional time is required to complete tasks.
• Liaise regularly with the Inclusion team and teachers to monitor pupil progress and review language learning intentions.
• Reinforce positive attitudes and behaviour, helping pupil to integrate socially and promoting self-esteem.
• Communicate with parents as required in a professional and competent manner.
• Refer parents to teacher regarding specific enquiries regarding education, health, development, pupils, families, parents, and complaints.
• Work co-operatively with class teacher and other Assistants, maintaining open communication.
• Understand and work in accordance with the school policies and procedures as outlined in the school policies.
• Engage in professional learning and attend workshops as required.

Requirements:

• Bachlors Degree
• Education/pupil development qualifications would be an advantage.
• Possession of excellent written and spoken English skills
• Excellent presentation and communication skills
• A minimum of 2 years’ experience in working with primary age pupils in a school or day care environment would be ideal.

Repton Dubai was founded in 2007 and is a ‘world class’ international school in the heart of Dubai. One of the few genuinely international schools in the Gulf Region, Repton Dubai combines the reputation and academic rigour of the UK curriculum, from infants and junior school up to IGCSE level in Year 11, and then embraces the challenges and opportunities of the International Diploma or IB in the Sixth Form, whilst also offering A levels.

Our mission is ‘the rigorous pursuit of excellence, inside and outside the classroom, combined with a passionate concern for the wellbeing of each individual’

Cognita and the Repton Family of Schools is committed to safeguarding the welfare of children and young people and expects the same from its employees. All new staff will be subject to detailed and enhanced pre-employment clearance, including identity checks, criminal background checks for all countries lived in, qualification checks, employment checks to include an exploration of any gaps in employment, and satisfactory reference checks for all employment in the last 5 years.

Repton School in Dubai opened its Junior School in 2007 with just over 300 pupils on roll. The Senior School followed in 2009 and the school now has 2160 on roll ranging in age from three to eighteen. The school has both day and boarding pupils.
Repton Dubai is a truly international school firmly based in the UAE with a very distinctive British flavour in which, because of its boarding provision, a vibrant multi-national learning community is developing. There are some sixty three nationalities in the school.

Our 21st century international nature is central to our ethos as are the traditions and core values which have been derived from strong links with the culture of the Emirates and our partnership with our sister school, Repton in Derbyshire. We are fortunate to have been able to draw on the educational knowledge and expertise from our sister school and thus combine the very best of the new with the very best of the British educational system. Our links with Repton UK are strong and will continue to grow in the years to come.

Our clear aim and purpose is to provide the best teaching and learning environment in which all our pupils will achieve their very best academically, physically and socially. Our pupils benefit from an English independent school curriculum that incorporates elements of the English National Curriculum but which allows teachers to develop an appropriate curriculum for an independent school in an international environment. We never lose sight, however, of our geographical location and we also offer a comprehensive Arabic and Islamic Studies programme. Pupils study IGCEs and the International Baccalaureate.
We believe in a curriculum that has its foundations in intellectual content rather than assessment; a curriculum which equips our pupils to think and appreciate, and is flexible enough to give all an opportunity to excel.

Boarding is at the heart of Repton and our aim is to provide for all our pupils the sort of caring, stimulating and happy environment which will enable them to grow into self-confident, active and highly successful young citizens of the future. The ethos and culture of the whole school as it grows and matures is linked to the importance we place on boarding. We are proud to be very distinctively different as the only boarding school found in this region. We are keen for as many staff as possible to be involved in the boarding side of the school through involvement with duties during the week and activities with the boarders at the weekends.

The school is located in Nad Al Sheba, about 15 minutes drive from the downtown area of the city and very close to main arterial routes. The airport is 20 minutes drive from the school. The campus is large with state of the art facilities to support all aspects of the curriculum. Teaching staff are housed close to the school in apartment blocks leased by the school. Those not housed in school accommodation are given a housing allowance to enable them to rent elsewhere in the city.

Remuneration packages are generous and are tax free. Round trip air tickets and medical insurance are included.

Dubai is one of seven emirates or states, each with its own unique character, which together make up the UAE, or United Arab Emirates. Though Dubai is the largest city in the UAE, the capital is Abu Dhabi. The country has an estimated population of just over 2.6 million, nearly half of whom live in Dubai. The official language of the UAE is Arabic. Other languages spoken are English, Hindi and Farsi. A large number of the expatriate population are from the sub-continent, the Philippines and Iran, amongst other countries, so expect to hear a huge range of other languages.

Dubai is a multi- cultural, vibrant and exciting place to live and work. The location provides a great opportunity to explore the Arabian Peninsula and beyond. The mountains of Oman are within easy reach whilst the nearby ocean provides diving and sailing.

All teaching staff have the opportunity to grow professionally during their time with us. There are opportunities through regular in-house INSET and attendance at professional development courses in the region and beyond.