1-1 Learning Support Assistant

Heathside Preparatory School is an independent, happy, friendly and academic school, set in historic buildings in Hampstead, a few minutes' walk from Hampstead Heath, where the children play at lunchtimes and in the afternoons. The school maintains an informal atmosphere while fostering a high level of individual responsibility and self-motivation. The development of the whole person is encouraged and as a result, Heathside is a relaxed and happy place and academic standards are high. There is also a thriving sports, musical, dramatic and extra-curricular club program and pupils are well catered for in every interest they have.  

This is a full time or part time role supporting a 10 year old autistic boy in Year 6, access learning in a mainstream independent school. The pupil is intelligent and very personable, but has fine motor skill delays, some sensory processing difficulties (audio and tactile) and can sometimes become overwhelmed or unregulated in the school environment.  

The child has had a 1-1 LSA for the past 5 years and has been making excellent progress in all areas with the right support and strategies to help him manage his learning environment. Additionally he has weekly Speech and Language Therapy (aimed at social interaction) and weekly Occupational Therapy, both on-site.

The focus of the role is to support the child in staying regulated and be his safe person to help navigate the sensory inputs from the environment. This role would suit candidate with a sense of fun and preferably some experience of gaming to help form and maintain a buddy style relationship.  

The school and parent are extremely supportive and in addition to the class teacher and class teaching assistant, there is a SENCO permanently on-site at the school.  

Heathside School has the highest ambitions for its pupils’ intellectual and academic experience at all age levels and abilities. We are not just looking for an outstanding 1-1 Classroom/Learning Support Assistant to be a part of the team, but also someone who has the vision and energy to help the School in achieving its vision. 

If you are an outstanding professional who can build trust, has a sense of fun and will not settle for less than excellence, we would be delighted to hear from you.

Supporting learning

·      Supporting the pupil individually or in small groups, assisting in implementing individual education plans designed in consultation with parents, teaching staff and SENCO. Attending SLT and OT sessions and implementing recommendations developed from those sessions.

·      Preparing and developing reading, word and number games, art and craft activities, science activities.

·      Providing unobtrusive guidance and support to enable the pupil to find answers to questions and tasks set, using knowledge of the pupil’s differentiated levels of development and ability to ensure progression and continuity.

·      Keeping/contributing to records of the pupil support in line with school policy.

·      Liaising with other professionals e.g. social workers, psychologists, health visitors, family resource workers, OT, SLT etc.

·      Helping to sort out games and equipment etc., preparing and clearing up activities with the pupil. Assisting with getting changed, where necessary.

·      Assisting in the management of the pupil if he shows socially unacceptable or challenging behaviour under the direction of guidelines in operation at the school.

·      Liaise regularly with the parents with regard to giving feedback on the pupil's daily school life and progress and taking onboard and acting on relevant information from the home environment.

·      Assisting pupils with mobility difficulties.

·      Occasional classroom supervision to cover an emergency.

·      Preparation and maintenance of learning materials

·      Mounting pupils’ work and preparing displays.

·      Repairing books and apparatus, ensuring any equipment is properly assembled and safe for use.

·      Maintaining classroom resource areas, plants, animals, fish etc.

·      Assisting in the preparation of teaching materials including occasional photocopying.

·      Checking that AVA equipment is available and ready for use, recording tapes and videos.

·      Keeping cupboards tidy, throwing out old stock and advising when new stock is required

Supervision and monitoring

·      Encouraging the pupil to play games, initiating and joining in as necessary.

·      Encouraging pupils to include other the 1-1 pupil in their games and vice versa.

·      Ensuring pupils are always supervised and safe, discouraging any potentially hazardous activities.

·      Helping to avoid arguments and fights, assisting pupils to sort out their disagreements by talking and listening to one another.

·      Listening to pupils’ worries and concerns, comforting/referring to appropriate person if necessary.

·      May be required to care for sick or injured pupils, administering first aid for minor injuries or sickness, taking home or to hospital if necessary, and generally giving comfort and care to such pupils, liaising with parent(s)/guardian.