1. education
2. school

EA15/SER/TC15109
SPA PRIMARY SCHOOL
59 BALLYMAGLAVE ROAD
BALLYNAHINCH
BT24 8QB
CONTROLLED PRIMARY SCHOOL
Telephone: 028 9756 3842
E-Mail: afitzsimons870@c2kni.net
Principal: Mrs A Fitzsimons
Chairman of Board of Governors: Mr H Shields
Admissions No. 29
Enrolment No. 180
The school, occupying a pleasant situation on an attractive rural site, was opened in
1972. Most of its pupils come from the Spa, the rural areas between Magherhamlet
and Drumaness, and areas on the fringe of Ballynahinch.
It is a well-kept modern building, which had been extended in 1999 to include 7 wellequipped classrooms, a computer area, an assembly/dining hall, a meals kitchen, a
library area, office and staffroom. Then further extended in 2012 to include two offices,
a learning support room and new library area.
Currently, the staff consists of Principal, Vice-Principal and 7 assistant teachers, 1
learning support teacher and 6 classroom assistants. The clerical staff, caretaker,
cleaners, lunch-time supervisory assistants, and kitchen staff complete a team
dedicated to the welfare of the children at the school.
The school seeks to provide the curriculum and environment which will enable each
child to develop his/her full potential academically, socially, morally and physically. In
addition, the school aims to develop confidence, self-esteem and consideration for
others. The teaching methods are a blend of the best of traditional and modern
techniques. Use is made of the local area and school grounds to link topics.
Educational visits, both locally and further afield, are an important part of the school’s
work and a wide range of extra-curricular activities is undertaken. These include
netball, soccer, hockey, swimming, badminton, athletics and rugby. Other skills and
concepts are taught in club activities
which include First-Aid, chess/draughts, monkeynastix, computers, drama, music,
dance, cookery, craft, French and Spanish. Professional music tutors visit to give
specialist tuition in woodwind, guitar, piano and musical theatre. A music club to
promote early musical development is also available.
A warm friendly atmosphere exists in the school and parents are welcomed and
encouraged to take an active role in their children’s education. In addition to school
open days and other functions, both formal and informal consultation with parents
take place. There is an enthusiastic and hard working PTA which has contributed
greatly to the social and financial success of the school.
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Our Vision
Our vision is to provide quality learning where every child will reach their full potential
and take pride in their achievements. Children will feel happy and valued in a caring
family environment that is both safe and secure. In partnership with parents and the
local community we will promote Christian-based values encouraging children to
respect themselves and others. We endeavour to prepare the children to meet the
future challenges of education, life and work.
Our Aims are:
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To provide for the educational needs of all our pupils
To develop the whole child, physically, socially, emotionally, creatively and
spiritually
To enable pupils to fulfil their potential in Literacy and Numeracy and all other areas
of the curriculum
To foster a desire to learn and develop the necessary thinking skills to facilitate
their learning
To promote confidence and self-esteem
To develop self-discipline and promote positive behaviour
To develop personal moral values in pupils encouraging respect for themselves
and others
To develop a health promoting environment
To provide a safe and secure environment for everyone
To enable pupils to be caring contributors to their community and the wider world
To work in partnership with parents, the local community and outside agencies
Moral Values
We aim to develop in all children:
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Respect
Honesty
Perseverance
Compassion
Responsibility
The Governors are well-informed about all aspects of the school and are supportive of
the work of the staff.
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South Eastern Region
JOB DESCRIPTION – TEACHING POSTS
Main duties and Responsibilities
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Planning
1.1
1.2
Planning and preparing courses and lessons;
Teaching, according to their educational needs, the pupils assigned to him/her,
including the setting and marking of work to be carried out by the pupils in school
and elsewhere;
Assessing, recording and reporting on the development, progress and attainment
of pupils.
1.3
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General
2.1
2.6
Promoting the general progress and well-being of individual pupils and of any
class or group of pupils assigned to him/her;
Providing advice and guidance to pupils on educational and social matters and
on their further education and future careers including information about sources
of more expert advice on specific questions, making relevant records and
reports;
Making records of and reports on the personal and social needs of pupils except
in instances where to do so might be regarded as compromising a teacher’s own
position;
Communicating and consulting with the parents of pupils;
Communicating and co-operating with such persons or bodies outside the school
as may be approved by the employing authority and the Board of Governors;
Participating in meetings arranged for any of the purposes described above.
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Assessment/Reporting
2.2
2.3
2.4
2.5
Providing or contributing to oral and written assessments, reports and
references relating to individual pupils and groups of pupils except in instances
where to do so might be regarded as compromising a teacher’s own position.
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Staff Development/Professional Development
4.1
Participating, if required, in any scheme of staff development and performance
review;
4.2
a)
Reviewing from time to time his/her methods of teaching and
programmes of work;
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b)
Participating in arrangements for his/her further training and
professional development as a teacher.
4.3
Advising and co-operating with the Principal and other teachers (or any one or
more of them) on the preparation and development of courses of study, teaching
materials, teaching programmes, methods of teaching and assessment and
pastoral arrangements.
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Discipline/Health and Safety
5.1
Maintaining good order and discipline among pupils in accordance with the
policies of the employing authority and safeguarding their health and safety both
when they are authorised to be on the school premises and when they are
engaged in authorised school activities elsewhere.
Participating in meetings at the school which relate to the curriculum for the
school or the administration or organisation of the school, including pastoral
arrangements.
5.2
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Public Examinations
Participating in arrangements for preparing pupils for public examinations and in
assessing pupils for the purposes of such examinations; recording and reporting
such assessments; and participating in arrangements for pupils’ presentation for
and supervision during such examination.
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Review and Development of Management Activities/Administration
7.1
a)
Contributing to the selection for appointment and professional
development of other teachers, including the induction and
assessment of probationary teachers;
b)
Co-ordinating or managing the work of other teachers;
c)
Taking such part as may be required of him/her in the review,
development and management of activities relating to the curriculum,
organisation and pastoral functions of the school.
a)
Participating in administrative and organisational tasks related to such
duties as described above, including the management or supervision of
persons providing support for the teachers in the school and the ordering
and allocation of equipment and materials.
b)
Subject to the provisions of Article 22 of the Order, attending
assemblies;
c)
Registering the attendance of pupils and supervising pupils, whether these
duties are to be performed before, during or after school sessions.
7.2
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Number of days/Hours of work
8.1
a)
A full-time teacher, other than a teacher employed in a residential
establishment, shall be available for work on 195 days in any year of
which not more than 190 days should involve teaching children in a
classroom situation;
b)
A teacher, other than a teacher employed in a residential establishment,
shall be available to perform such duties at such times and such places as
may reasonably be specified by the Principal, or where he/she is employed
by a Board on terms under which he/she is not assigned to any one school
by the Board or the Principal of any school in which he/she may for the time
being be required to work as a teacher, for 1,265 hours in any year
exclusive of time spent off school premises in preparing and marking
lessons and time spent travelling to and from the place of work;
c)
A teacher may not be required to teach as distinct from supervise children
in a classroom situation for more than 25 hours in any week in a primary or
special school and 23.5 hours in any week in a secondary school;
d)
Unless employed under a separate contract as a mid-day supervisor, a
teacher shall not be required to undertake mid-day supervision.
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Staff cover
9.1
Supervising and teaching any pupils whose teacher is not available provided
that:
a)
In schools with an average daily enrolment greater than 222 pupils a
teacher other than a supply teacher shall not be required to provide such
cover after the second day on which a teacher is absent or otherwise not
available or from the first day if the fact that the teacher would be absent or
otherwise not available for a period exceeding 2 days was known to and
agreed by the employing authority in advance;
b)
In schools with an average daily enrolment of 222 pupils or less a teacher
other than a supply teacher shall not be required to provide such cover
after the first day on which a teacher is absent or otherwise not available
for more than 1 day was known to and agreed by the employing authority
in advance;
c)
In schools with a complement of 1, 2 or 3 teachers and in nursery units in
primary schools, a teacher other than a supply teacher shall,
notwithstanding heads (a) and (b), not be required to provide such cover.
Conditions of Service
The conditions of service for this post will be in accordance with the Regulations
of the Department of Education for Northern Ireland.
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EDUCATION AUTHORITY – SOUTH EASTERN REGION
PERSON SPECIFICATION
POST:
Permanent full-time Teacher – Key Stage 1
(Post available from 31 August 2015)
ESSENTIAL
QUALIFICATIONS
1)
2)
EXPERIENCE
3)
4)
DESIRABLE
Hold a teaching qualification
which meets the requirements
for recognition to teach in
grant-aided schools in
Northern Ireland and be
registered with GTCNI by the
agreed date of taking up duty;
and
Hold a teaching qualification
which has prepared the
candidate to teach in a primary
school; and
Have a minimum of 2 years’
experience in a paid capacity
of teaching in a primary school
within the last 5 years as the
closing date for receipt of
completed applications;
Have a minimum of 3 full
terms’ experience in a paid
capacity of teaching a Key
Stage 1 class within the last 5
years as at the closing date for
receipt of completed
applications.
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 Have experience of
using Maths Recovery
Techniques;
 Have experience of
addressing early literacy
difficulties;
 Have a minimum of 1 full
term’s experience of
developing Art and
Design throughout a
primary school within the
last 5 years as at the
closing date for receipt of
completed applications;
 Have experience of
teaching using ipad/tablet technologies
in a classroom setting.
KNOWLEDGE /
SKILLS
PERSONAL
QUALITIES
 Knowledge of the Revised
Curriculum;
 Knowledge of Child Protection
issues;
 ICT skills;
 Communication skills;
 Interpersonal skills;
 Organisational and planning
skills;
 Ability to develop positive
relationships with children,
colleagues and parents;
 Display an understanding of
primary school pupils.
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Ability to work as a member of
a team;
Ability to relate to children;
Committed to raising pupils
achievement;
Have initiative and direction;
Ability to motivate self and
others;
Flexible;
Positive;
Enthusiastic;
Confidentiality.
 Willingness to participate
with the schools extracurricular activities.
OTHER
REQUIREMENTS
The criteria may be enhanced
Application forms and associated documents may be downloaded from the
Education Authority’s website www.eani.org.uk.
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TEMPORARY TEACHER POSTS
Please note that the post availability indicates how long a post will be vacant at
the time of going to press and does not necessarily indicate the commencement
date of any contract. Temporary contracts may subject to extension or may be
reduced for any valid reason unless otherwise indicated. Certain circumstances
may arise where the successful candidate will not be employed for the full period
of availability eg. Due to incomplete pre-employment checks at the commencing
availability date.
Where a post is available for a full 12 month period and due to unforeseen
circumstances it is not possible for the successful candidate to commence their
contract at the availability date stated, the period of employment will be reduced
and the teacher will be paid on the hourly rate for teachers.
Temporary teachers employed for less than a 12 month period will be paid on the
hourly rate for teachers.
DISCLOSURE OF CRIMINAL BACKGROUND
If you have been appointed for a post that involves ‘regulated activity’ under the
Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups (NI) Order 2007, the Education Authority will be
required to undertake an Enhanced Disclosure of Criminal Background. Please
note that you WILL be expected to meet the cost of an Enhanced
Disclosure Certificate, which is currently £33. Details of how to make
payment will be sent to you at the pre-employment stage.
Further details in relation to legislative requirements can be accessed on
www.nidirect.gov.uk/vetting or www.dojni.gov.uk/accessni
REFERENCES
This appointment will be subject to satisfactory references being received. One
reference should be from a person who is able to comment on your suitability to
work with children/young people in an educational setting. The Education
Authority (EA) will seek references from present/previous employers for posts
involving ‘regulated activity’.
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EDUCATION AUTHORITY
From 1 April 2015 the Education Authority (EA) has taken over the functions of
the South Eastern Education and Library Board.
All appointment processes completed before 1 April 2015 will be unaffected by
the transfer of functions to EA. All staff who were employed by South Eastern
Education and Library Board on 31 March 2015 transferred to EA on 1 April 2015
and are protected on their existing terms and conditions of employment, including
pension, in accordance with the Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of
Employment) (TUPE) Regulations 2006.
All ongoing appointment processes completed after 1 April 2015 will be offered
by EA as the employing authority.
All posts will continue to be offered on the basis of current terms and conditions
of employment, as advertised.
It is essential that you fully describe in the application form how you meet
the criteria sought. Please provide detailed information against each
requirement, providing dates and ensuring that where requirements are
time bounded (e.g. 1 year within the last 5 years) you provide detail and
dates that fully satisfy the requirement. It is not appropriate to simply list
the various posts that you have held. Assumptions will not be made from
the title of your post.
Posts involving work in educational institutions are subject to the provisions of
the Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups (NI) Order 2007
Canvassing will disqualify
THE EDUCATION AUTHORITY HAS ADOPTED A ‘POLICY ON SMOKING’
LATE OR FAXED APPLICATION FORMS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED
Please complete and return your application form and Equal Opportunities
Questionnaire by post/hand delivering to the Equal Opportunities Unit,
Education Authority – South Eastern Region, Grahamsbridge Road,
Dundonald, BT16 2HS no later than 2.00 pm on the closing date for
completed applications.
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