Languages Intervention Assistant

Job Description

ROLE SPECIFICATION – Languages Intervention Assistant

Job Title: Languages Intervention Assistant
Salary: Grade 5 SCP 7 - SCP 8 Starting Salary £7,450.74 to £7,569.57 (incremental progression)
Contract: Permanent, Term Time Only. 24 hours a fortnight – Timetable to be discussed at Interview
Reporting to: Head of Modern Languages
Start Date: ASAP

Join Our Team at Downlands Community School
Downlands Community School is a thriving, inclusive, and ambitious school committed to providing transformative opportunities that take all pupils beyond their lived experience. We are seeking an enthusiastic and committed Languages Intervention Assistant to join our Languages Department.

Purpose of the Role:
The Languages Intervention Assistant will provide in class support and Intervention for students. Lead small group support and Intervention. They will also assist with administrative and planning tasks as required.

Main Responsibilities

Support and promote the learning of pupils within the Department
• Implementing planned interventions with individuals or small groups
• To provide one to one support in class for pupils when needed
• To provide cultural insight into French/German/Spanish Cultures
• To assist with administration tasks set by Head of Languages
• To assist with extra-curricular activities, such as trips and clubs.
• Attend department meetings, where needed
• Encourage the school code of conduct for behaviour of pupils and to be familiar with both the rewards systems and with the internal procedures for communication with staff regarding pupils’ behaviour.
• To be aware of issues such as confidentiality and the guidelines relating to safeguarding young persons.

Additional Information
This role specification contains an outline of the jobholder's principal accountabilities and is not intended to be exhaustive. It will be reviewed with the jobholder annually in Performance Review as necessary

Person Specification – Languages Intervention Assistant
Qualifications, Knowledge and Experience
• The ability to speak at least one of three languages on offer at Downlands, ideally more than one
• A level of education that enables support to be given to pupils aged 11 to 16 including those preparing for GCSE
• Experience of working with teenagers, ideally in a secondary school setting is desirable
• A clear philosophy of how successful learning is promoted and why the subject should be taught
• Awareness of the strategies available for improving the learning and achievement of pupils of all abilities
• A commitment to the safety and welfare of young people and a knowledge and understanding of the responsibilities that adults working with them have

Skills and Abilities
• Good communication skills
• Good interpersonal skills that enable good relationships with young people and adults
• Sensitivity to pupil’s needs
• An ability to deal with pupils so that they feel they have been dealt with consistency and fairness
• An ability to earn pupils respect and to treat them with respect
• The ability to work as member of a team but also show initiative whilst knowing when to take advice
• Good judgement over matters of confidentiality and integrity in dealing with sensitive information about pupils
• Some IT skills with the ability to positively respond to training in the use of school IT packages

Personal Qualities
• Enjoyment of the company of young people
• Patience
• Resilience
• Flexibility
• A non-judgemental disposition
• Interest in developing one’s own skills and knowledge
• Committed to the teaching of languages in a comprehensive school
• Willingness to contribute to the wider life of the school and extra-curricular activities
• Good personal organisation and time management

Safeguarding Statement
Downlands Community School and West Sussex County Council are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. We will ensure that all our recruitment and selection practices reflect this commitment. All successful candidates will be subject to an appropriate Disclosure and Barring Service check along with other relevant employment checks, including satisfactory references.

Shortlisted applicants will also be subject to an online search. This is not part of the shortlisting process, and candidates will have the opportunity to discuss any concerns identified during the search at interview.

How to Apply
Applications should be made using the West Sussex application form, available to download from the school website under the "Vacancies" section.
Completed applications should be addressed to: Mr M Ashdown, Headteacher and emailed to recruitment@downlands.org

Closing Date 9:00am on Friday 6th November 2026
Interviews to be held week commencing 16th November 2026

Please note that references may be requested prior to interview unless applicants indicate on their application form that they do not wish referees to be contacted at that stage.

Application Attachments:

https://www.downlands.w-sussex.sch.uk/join-us/vacancies/

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