Learning Support Assistant (Independent School)

Wetherby Kensington provides an environment that promotes educational excellence and tradition through a forward-thinking, holistic curriculum within which the needs of individual pupils are fostered.

Wetherby Kensington is a school for boys from Reception to Year 3 and is two form entry per year group. The boys receive high levels of academic education and pastoral care. The Wetherby Kensington boys begin their learning journey in Reception and can stay at Wetherby Kensington until they are eight years old. Wetherby Kensington can be found in Wetherby Gardens and is in a conservation area. The school overlooks the beautiful Wetherby Gardens.

With the opening of the Preparatory School in 2004, Wetherby boys have the opportunity to proceed through, or sit a competitive exam for, a London Day School. The adopted motto of Wetherby Kensington is ‘Care, share and be fair’. These are the underlying principles of all that we stand for at Wetherby Kensington. Every boy is encouraged to be the best that he can be and every member of staff is committed to enabling each individual to fulfil his potential and achieve his goal. The school is a happy and vibrant one, an energetic and forward learning environment, whilst retaining the best of educational traditions.

We are looking to appoint Learning Support Assistant for the term time only for September 2024. The role has potential to extend and the working hours are Monday to Friday 8:00 am - 5:00 pm.

MAIN AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY

 1.   Support for the child

•  Provide support for a named student with an Educational Health Care Plan. The LSA will ensure that this student is fully integrated into all aspects of school life and is making strong progress.
•  To support the student in transitioning safely around school during the day.
•  To work with the class teacher to foster a warm, caring and friendly environment for the child within the classroom.
•  To run specific programmes and activities to assist the student’s individual learning and social communication needs supported by therapists.
•  To work with the class teacher in preparing work for the boy using assisted technology and current apps to enhance his learning.
•  To have an awareness of Key Stage 2 curriculum outcomes and support the student in achieving success in the outcomes
•  To carry out delegated tasks set by the class teacher.
•  To support social interaction and transitions during lunch times.
•  To aid access to the full range of learning experiences both inside and outside the classroom and provide modified resources as suggested and advised by the Head of Learning Support, Educational Psychologist, Physical Therapist, Occupational Therapist or any other outside agencies.
•  To provide support for the child, ensuring their safety at all times as well as the ability to access learning activities.
•  To establish a positive and constructive relationship with the boy and interact with them according to individual needs.
•  Assist with the development and implementation of the Individual Learning Plan (ILP)
•  Set challenging and demanding expectations and promote self-esteem and independence
•  Provide feedback to the boy in relation to progress and achievement under the guidance of the teacher
•  To help ensure that the child makes the maximum amount of progress possible in each lesson
•  Use specialist skills to undertake activities necessary to meet the physical and emotional needs of the boy
•  To support the allocated student’s preparation and revision for internal and external tests and examinations including the successful use of access arrangements
•  To provide support for the child in a broad range of situations both on and off-site
•  To encourage positive practise in relation to general behaviour and approach to school life
•  To support transport to and from school from the boy’s home using either public transport or private taxi

2.   Support for the teacher

•  Monitor the boy’s responses to learning activities and accurately record achievement/progress as directed by the teacher
•  Provide detailed and regular feedback to the teacher
•  Provide detailed and regular feedback to the parents in conjunction with the class teacher
•  Promote good pupil behaviour, dealing promptly with incidents inline with established policy and encourage the boy to take responsibility for his own conduct

3.   Support for the curriculum

•  Undertake structured and agreed learning activities/teaching programmes adjusting activities according to the boy’s response
• Support the use of ICT in learning activities and develop the boy’s competence and independence in its use
• Prepare, maintain and use equipment/resources required to meet the lesson plans/relevant learning activity and assist the boy in its use

4.   Support for the school

•  Be aware of and comply with policies and procedures in relation to child protection, health, safety and security, confidentiality and data protection, reporting all concerns to the appropriate person
•  To comply with all legal requirements such as register of attendance and Health and Safety regulations
•  Be aware of and support differences ensuring all pupils have equal access to opportunities to learn and develop academically and pastorally
•  Contribute to the overall ethos, aims and values of the school
•  Attend and participate in relevant meetings as required
•  Participate in training  and other learning activities to further knowledge and expertise as required
•  Accompany teaching staff and pupils on of out of school activities and educational visits
•  To keep abreast of all policies of the school
•  Responsibility for promoting and safeguarding the welfare of children and young people for whom you are responsible, or with whom you come into contact in the school. It is your responsibility to adhere to and ensure compliance with the school’s Safeguarding Policy at all times.

Note: This job description is indicative of the duties and responsibilities of the post but does not form part of any contract of employment.

The Ideal Candidate will have:

Experience in a Learning Support Assistant or Teaching Assistant role and in supporting young client with physical disabilities.

Preferable: A degree or teaching qualification, key stage 1 and/or key stage 2 curriculum experience.

• A genuine interest in, and enthusiasm for, working with children.
• A hands on approach.
• A commitment to participating in the extra-curricular life of the school.
• A sympathy for the Catholic ethos of the school.
• An interest in developing professional competence through INSET.
• A capacity for working as a member of a team. Initiative and flexibility
• Good organisational and communication skills.