Learning Support Assistant
Term time only, 35 weeks per year, including staff training days
Hours: 35 hours per week: Monday to Friday 8.20 am-3.40 pm (one day per week 8:30 am-5:00pm)
Salary: £ 12.71 per hour, £ 18,335.41 per annum which is based on a full-time equivalent salary of £ 23,132.20 per annum
Location: Junior and Senior school, West Sussex, Worthing. 1.1 or within pairs or small groups, either within the classroom, the Learning Support room
The School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.
About us
Our Lady of Sion School is a small, caring community where students and staff thrive. We are committed to ensuring that every child is supported to reach their full potential and believe that high-quality learning support is central to this aim. We are seeking a dedicated Learning Support Assistant who is passionate about helping young people overcome barriers to learning, develop confidence, and achieve success within a nurturing and inclusive school environment.
The Role
We are primarily recruiting for a Learning Support Assistant with experience in the Secondary Phase. However, as a through-school, the successful candidate may be required to work across both the Junior and Senior Schools in order to provide support to pupils throughout the school. The role will involve supporting children and young people with a wide range of learning, communication, and additional needs, including pupils with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND), those with Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs), and pupils for whom English is an Additional Language (EAL).
We are seeking a committed and reliable Learning Support Assistant who understands the importance of providing consistent support for pupils. Excellent attendance, punctuality, and the ability to establish positive, dependable relationships with children are essential for this role.
The successful candidate will have excellent interpersonal and communication skills and be able to build positive, trusting relationships with pupils. They will demonstrate sensitivity, patience, and professional judgement, understanding when to provide support, when to encourage independence, and when to step back to enable pupils to develop confidence and self-reliance. The ability to adapt communication and support strategies to meet individual needs is essential.
You will be a positive and enthusiastic advocate for children and young people with SEN(D), with a genuine passion for supporting their development and progressing your career in learning support. The role involves working with pupils individually, in small groups, and within the classroom and Learning Support Room. Excellent communication skills and the ability to work collaboratively with colleagues, families, and senior leaders are essential.
Please see the job description for full details.
What we are looking for:
· Teaching Assistant Level 3 qualification or equivalent qualification or experience
· Recent experience of working with children with additional needs, the ability to supervise and support pupils of all ages with a wide range of physical/learning needs, including but not limited to dyslexia, autism, ADHD and pupils with Social, Emotional & Mental Health Needs (SEMH).
· Preference will be given to candidates with a proven track record of successfully supporting pupils in Maths and English to GCSE level.
· GCSE in English and Maths A*-C or equivalent grade
· Numerate and literate in order to carry out the written and numeric aspects of the role, in relation to the curriculum and other tasks as directed by the teacher
· The commitment to care for everyone in our school community
· To support the Sion ethos of our school.
What we can offer you:
· The opportunity to join our lovely school of around 300 students aged 3-18, supported by a hugely talented and hard-working staff team
· Polite, respectful, committed students who are positive and active learners
· Excellent professional development and guidance
· An ethos of kindness and consideration that is actively lived-out
Closing date: It would include having to specify that an appointment may be made before the closing date of applications, if indeed we are fortunate.
If you believe you have what it takes and are genuinely excited about the prospect of taking on this critical role, we look forward to hearing from you. Please complete our online application form https://form.jotform.com/230384617821355, ensuring that you provide evidence of your impact and how you would meet the requirements within the person specification.
CVs and non-standard application paperwork will not be accepted as part of the application process.
The School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Applicants will be required to undergo child protection screening appropriate to the post, including checks with past employers and the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS). The School may carry out online searches on shortlisted applicants and all applicants will be required to provide details of their online profile, including social media accounts, as part of their application.
The post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. The School is therefore permitted to ask job applicants to declare all convictions and cautions on a self-declaration form in advance of attending an interview (including those which are "spent" unless they are "protected" under the DBS filtering rules) in order to assess their suitability to work with children.
All job applicants are considered equally and consistently to ensure that no job applicant is treated unfairly on any grounds regardless of your sex, age, disability, race, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, pregnancy and maternity, marriage or civil partnership, religion or belief.
Job Type: Permanent
Pay: From £12.71 per hour
Benefits:
- Company pension
- Cycle to work scheme
- Employee discount
- Health & wellbeing programme
- Sick pay
Education:
- GCSE or equivalent (required)
Experience:
Work authorisation:
- United Kingdom (required)
Work Location: In person
