Learning Support Assistant - Junior School

Repton Dubai is seeking Learning Support Assistant for January 2024.

Responsibilities of the post:

The Learning Support Assistant’s (LSA) main role is to provide support for students with special educational needs. The LSA will ensure that the students can integrate as fully as possible in the activities generally undertaken by the other children in the class and make progress.

Duties will include running specific programmes and activities to assist the students’ individual learning and social needs. The LSA will be responsible for implementing the targets on the students’ Individual Education Plan (IEP) in liaison with the class teachers and the SENCo.

This is a full-time role, Monday to Thursday 7.15am to 3pm, Friday 7.15am to 1pm.

You should already be within the UAE, on dependents sponsorship

Supporting students 

• Provide learning support for students in class or 1:1 situations 
• Develop knowledge of the particular needs of the children and seek advice from the SENCo, class teacher and outside agencies as required 
• Aid access to the full range of learning experiences both inside and outside the classroom 
• Make or modify resources as suggested and advised by the SENCo, Educational Psychologist or other outside agencies 
• Provide positive reinforcements, praise and rewards to students 
• Facilitate inclusion in small group activities with peers and support interaction between them

Supporting the SENCO 

• Work as part of the team to ensure that the well being and personal development of the student enhances their learning opportunities and life skills 
• Attend planning meetings with the SENCo to develop learning programmes and assist in the delivery of individual learning programmes on a daily basis to promote learning behaviour and communication skills 
• Provide regular feedback to the SENCo and, where necessary, relevant outside agencies about any student’s difficulties and progress 
• Contribute to the students’ annual review by writing a brief report and attending the meeting

Supporting the School 

• Foster links between home and school 
• Participate in relevant professional development as deemed appropriate 
• Understand and apply school policies on learning and behaviour, and the statutory guidelines relating to disability discrimination and special educational needs 
• Maintain confidentiality and sensitivity to the students’ needs but have regard to the safeguarding procedures of the school 
• Carry out duties as directed by the SENCo or Head Teacher

You will need to: 

• Have experience working with children with special educational needs in a school setting 
• Have GCSE, ‘O’ Level or equivalent qualifications in Maths and English 
• Have knowledge and understanding of the different social, cultural and physical needs of students, and how they learn and behave 
• Provide appropriate role models of behaviour both in the classroom and around school 
• Really care about children, particularly those who find learning and managing their behaviour difficult 
• Have training in aspects of SEN, i.e. ELSA, dyslexia

You must be able to: 

• Carry out tasks and responsibilities under the direction of the SENCo, Class Teacher, Deputy Head Teacher or Head Teacher 
• Plan and prioritise tasks and work under the pressure of a busy inclusive school 
• Be productive and show initiative 
• Communicate effectively and appropriately to students with different abilities and ethnic backgrounds 
• Motivate students to learn and be sociable 
• Assist with the organisation of the learning environment 
• Maintain accurate student records 
• Be a responsible and trustworthy role model 
• Have patience with children who find conforming to rules and expectations difficult
• Have patience and be flexible and innovative with a clear understanding of how children might behave who find learning new concepts and remembering taught concepts difficult
• Respect and maintain confidentiality but have regard to the safe guarding protocols of information sharing where necessary
• Be computer literate
• Attend training courses considered appropriate for the post

Repton Schools in the UAE

Excella leads the Repton Family of Schools in the UAE, and provides outstanding British curriculum education in the UAE. The Excella school portfolio comprises Repton Dubai, Repton Al Barsha, also in Dubai, and Repton Abu Dhabi, alongside Dovecote nurseries with branches across UAE.

Repton School Dubai

Repton Dubai was founded in 2007 and is a ‘world class’ international school in the heart of Dubai. One of the few genuinely international schools in the Gulf Region, Repton Dubai combines the reputation and academic rigour of the UK curriculum, from infants and junior school up to IGCSE level in Year 11, and then embraces the challenges and opportunities of the International Diploma or IB in the Sixth Form, whilst also offering A levels.

Set in a stunning campus in Nad Al Sheba, and almost uniquely in Dubai, also offering a dynamic boarding experience, Repton pupils from ages 3-18 benefit from facilities, resources and a classroom and sporting experience, that is the envy of their peers.

Our mission is ‘the rigorous pursuit of excellence, inside and outside the classroom, combined with a passionate concern for the wellbeing of each individual’

Cognita and the Repton Family of Schools is totally committed to safeguarding the welfare of children and young people and expects the same from its employees. All new staff will be subject to detailed and enhanced pre-employment clearance, including identity checks, criminal background checks for all countries lived in, qualification checks, employment checks to include an exploration of any gaps in employment, and satisfactory reference checks for all employment in the last 5 years.