Learning Support Practitioner – Acorn Wood
Start Date: September 2026
Salary: £13,750 - £15,939
Full Time: 25 hours per week
12 weeks annual leave per year.
Hours: 9:00am - 14:00hrs Monday - Friday.
Due to the steady and continued growth of our school, we are looking to recruit enthusiastic Learning Support Practitioners to join our independent special school in North Shropshire.
This is an exciting opportunity for individuals who are passionate about making a meaningful difference in a specialist, relational and child-centred environment.
About Us
A Warm Welcome
Acorn Wood is a small independent day school located within the rural hamlet of Coton in North Shropshire. We provide education under Section 98 of the Education and Skills Act 2008 for children aged 5–16.
We are intentionally creating something different.
A school that is psychologically aware and relationally led, rooted in a deep belief that children flourish when they feel safe, seen, and understood. At Acorn Wood, education is not just about outcomes; it is about healing, connection, curiosity, and growth.
We are seeking practitioners whose values align with our approach and who want to be part of a school where they can build meaningful relationships with the children they support, with the time and space to truly understand and respond to each individual child.
Our approach is grounded in neuroscience and evidence-based practice, recognising how early experiences, trauma, attachment, and neurodevelopment shape the way children learn, regulate, and relate. We work with the brain, not against it. We understand that behaviour is communication, and that regulation precedes learning.
Nature and nurture sit at the heart of everything we do. Our environment is calm, thoughtful, and intentionally designed to support nervous system regulation, emotional safety, and exploration. We value rhythm over reaction, presence over pressure, and relationships over rewards.
We believe that meaningful teaching happens when academic learning is integrated with emotional wellbeing. Our team is passionate, skilled, and committed to high standards, innovation, and continuous reflection. We are building a culture where colleagues feel trusted, supported, and able to focus on what matters most.
As an employer, Acorn Wood is equally committed to doing things differently for colleagues. We prioritise professional growth, reflective supervision, and a supportive, collaborative culture.
What We Offer
At Acorn Wood, we recognise the importance of supporting and valuing our colleagues as much as we do our pupils. We are committed to creating a working environment where colleagues feel supported, developed, and able to thrive.
- A genuinely supportive, relational and psychologically informed working environment
- The opportunity to shape and influence a growing, values-driven school
- Ongoing professional development, including access to training in trauma-informed and therapeutic practice
- Opportunities to contribute to whole-school development
- A strong emphasis on staff wellbeing, with a culture that prioritises reflection, support, and manageable workloads
- A thoughtfully structured school day (9:30am – 1:30pm), designed to meet the needs of our children while also supporting staff with a healthy work–life balance, including dedicated time for planning, preparation, and reflection
- The chance to work in a unique, nature-rich setting that promotes wellbeing for both pupils and staff
- Close, collaborative working with a small, committed team where every role makes a meaningful difference
About the Position
We are looking for creative, compassionate and adaptable practitioners to support our children and teachers in our small independent specialist school.
What We’re Looking For
We welcome applications from candidates who are:
- Passionate about trauma-informed practice and therapeutic education
- Emotionally intelligent, reflective, and committed to an inclusive education
- Able to inspire, support, and develop within a psychologically safe culture
Pay: £13,750.00-£15,939.00 per year
Work Location: In person
