Learning Support Assistant (LSA)

Bishopswood is currently a local authority, maintained community special school in South Oxfordshire (Berkshire border) that provides specialist education for children aged 2 — 16 years with severe (SLD) or profound and multiple learning difficulties (PMLD) and complex needs, including those children with ASD.

Holding an inclusive ethos, Bishopswood endeavours to provide specialist provision alongside its co-located mainstream partners across two sites;

• Primary Provision - Sonning Common Primary School, Sonning Common
• Secondary Provision - Maiden Erlegh Chiltern Edge School, Sonning Common

Bishopswood was inspected in November 2021 and judged to be inadequate. As part of the rebuilding process, Propeller Academy Trust (PAT) has been identified as the sponsor by the Regional Schools Commissioner and the Trust are currently working in partnership with Oxfordshire Local Authority and the Interim Executive Board, who remain responsible for the education of all at Bishopswood in the meantime.

Bishopswood now benefits from strong leadership at both school and governance level with a clear strategic plan for improvement in place. At the Propeller Academy Trust, our guiding principle is to be a Trust providing quality educational offerings alongside excellent facilities, whilst maximising each school's potential. The vision is for every school in the Trust to be a centre of excellence for education, building a collaborative ethos and maximising opportunities for staff and young people.

Learning Support Assistants are required to join a team of hard-working friendly people within this Special School supporting pupils with learning difficulties.

Hours to be worked are 30 hours/week term time only to start January 2023 or sooner. Consideration will be given to applicants who wish to work for a minimum of 15 hours per week. We are also interested in anyone wishing to work on a Supply basis.

Experience of working with children is essential. Experience of working with SEN children, though not essential, would be an advantage. 

We have a generous holiday allowance which rises as you remain in employment with us. You will also have access to a Local Government Pension Scheme with employer contributions of up to 19.9% of your salary

We have a number of family friendly policies including carers leave and paid time off for volunteering and support external CPD. We are proud of our strong flexible working culture.

We are looking for someone with common sense, a willingness to learn and a sense of humour. The nature of the work is physically as well as mentally demanding but extremely rewarding.

Please download the application pack from the school website www.bishopswoodschool.co.uk or contact the school on 0118 972 4311. When applying please ensure any gaps in employment are accounted for. If shortlisted, written references will be taken up before interview. A minimum of two references are required and one reference must be your current or last employer. If working in a school a reference must be from your current Headteacher.

The successful candidate will be subject to an enhanced DBS check, occupational health check and 6 months probationary period.

This post may be suitable for a TA in a mainstream school keen to progress their career and salary options.

Full and on-going training is offered, and an induction programme will support you as you settle in.

Visits to the school are welcome. Applicants must be over 18 years old.

 Applications will be considered upon receipt and interviews arranged accordingly.

 The Propeller Academy Trust and its member schools are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all children and preventing extremism. We expect all staff and volunteers to share in this commitment. All post holders in regulated activity are subject to appropriate vetting procedures and a satisfactory “Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) Enhanced Check. Shortlisted candidates will be subject to online searches for publicly available information.

The Propeller Academy Trust is an equal opportunities employer, and we welcome applications from a range of backgrounds to represent diversity in line with our school’s community”