Learning Support Assistant- LSA

St John’s has long enjoyed a national reputation for the exceptional quality of education and care it provides, most recently evidenced by its excellent ISI inspection report. Further details of the school’s unique ethos and aims are included at the end of this document. St John’s is a special place that fully lives up to its billing in the Good School Guide: ‘This is a fine school where children are highly motivated and magically happy.’

We are currently advertising for a creative and collaborative Learning Support Assistant to support our KS2 and 3 children. This is a part time (27 hours per week) fixed term role to be reviewed annually. The Learning Support team aims to empower children to independently access our broad curriculum with confidence. The role is a varied and rewarding one. Learning Support Assistants provide 1:1 interventions, small group work and in class support as well as administrative work and adaptation of resources. 

Job Description

The role of a Learning Support Assistant at St John's includes the following:

·        To reinforce the teaching objectives, under the direction of the teacher, in order to provide support and adaptations within the classroom.

·        To assist teachers in the provision of a full range of stimulating activities adapted to the needs of the individual child.

·        To work with teachers, adapting work for the individual child

·        To carry out objectives from a child’s Assess Plan Do Review (APDR).

·        To assist in promoting the physical, intellectual, emotional and social development of children in their care.

·        To observe and support the child socially during play, reporting significant events to the Teacher.

·        To communicate and collaborate effectively with teachers and parents.

·        To attend Staff Meetings and Year Group meetings where appropriate, to share information about the child’s progress and the planning of activities.

·        To attend relevant courses and in-service for career enhancement.

·        To undertake any educational duties or activities, over and above those described, deemed appropriate by the Head of the Learning Support department.

·        To help to prepare resources before the start and at the end of each term.

·        If the child is absent, to cover Staff duties in the event of absences, as directed by Senior Management.

·        To help gather information and contribute to reviews for the child

·        To observe the child to gain an understanding of triggers and effective strategies

·        Under the guidance of the Sensory Needs Practitioner, to support the child by doing a range of sensory activities throughout each day

·        To support the child with emotional regulation, and use interventions such as ‘Zones of Regulation’

·        The duty of care towards the pupils applies to a member of staff throughout the school day, and it is expected that the successful candidate will take an interest in the pupil's areas of activity, within and beyond the formal curriculum, inside and outside of the classroom.

Staff must at all times promote and safeguard the welfare of children they are responsible for or come into contact with and to adhere to and ensure compliance with the school’s Child Protection procedures and staff guidance. If, in the course of carrying out the duties of the post, a member of staff becomes aware of any actual or potential risks to the safety and welfare of children in the school s/he must report any concerns to one of the school’s designated Child Protection officers or to the Head.

Person specification

Our key concern is to appoint candidates who share our commitment to caring for each child. While our Learning Support Assistants are, in general, highly qualified, evidence of a genuine interest in children is of equal significance.

The successful candidate is likely to offer:

·        a commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people.

·        enthusiasm for the outdoors and a willingness to take part in learning in all weathers.

·        evidence of an interest in further professional development.

·        an interest and a willingness to undertake training in the use of ICT (funded by the school) both in relation to the curriculum itself and as part of a broader development of ICT skills within the educational administration of e.g. record keeping, assessment and monitoring.

·        Experience of working with children with ADHD, Autism or other specific learning difficulties or the willingness to undertake training

·        An Early Years qualification, or willingness to undertake training

In addition to the above, it is essential that the successful candidate should evidence the following qualities:

·        a commitment to developing the individual talents and meeting the individual needs of each child within and beyond the curriculum.

·        a commitment to the pastoral care of, and respect for, children.

·        an ability to communicate with and co-operate with colleagues.

·        A resilient and proactive approach to their practice

·        A sense of humour

·        A warm personality and ability to form relationships quickly with children

·        A patient and empathetic approach to working with children who struggle or have experienced trauma

Overall, the successful candidates will wish to play a full part in a thriving and highly caring community.

 Terms of Employment

The school is committed to providing the best possible training for staff, through a programme of internal training days and through the funding of external training. A successful candidate’s training needs will be considered as part of the school’s induction programme.

Remuneration

This role is for a fixed term contract until 09th July 2025, working for 27 hours a week, 34 weeks a year (term time only). The current annual salary for this role is £15,615 per annum (67.5 % of FTE £23,133.60).