Learning Support Assistant

About the role: An incredibly successful secondary academy on the outskirts of Dartford have a great opportunity for a confident and empathetic Learning Support Assistants to join their support team. Our appointed candidates will join Longfield Academy, receiving fantastic training and development opportunities from the off-set with scope to positively influence our students’ learning.

The role of a Learning Support Assistant involves working with students across Years 7 to 13 in a variety of subject areas, either on a 1-1 basis or in small groups.  Some students may have Special Educational Needs that you can support them with (training is offered in this remit), whilst others may need extra assistance from someone with a passion for the subject to push them even further. The students you will be working with are by no means behind in the subject, but need extra encouragement and support to ensure they understand each topic and to enhance their confidence within the subject.

The working hours are term time only + 1 week inset, 8.30am - 3.30pm Monday - Friday with 1 hour lunch (total 30 hours weekly). We welcome applications from individuals with previous experience as an LSA and also those who are at the start of their career, who know they are keen to work with and support secondary-aged students and would like to gain a Level 3 nationally recognised qualification by completing an apprenticeship with LAT Apprenticeships. Click here to read more about LAT Apprenticeships. ​​​​​​​ 

Apprenticeship Summary

• Working weeks: Monday - Friday during Term Time + 1 week inset 
• Total hours per week (on average): 30 hours per week (including the 20% training element of the Apprenticeship Programme) 
• Apprenticeship duration: 18 months
• Programme delivery type: All modules are delivered as a combination of online learning which can be completed at your place of work, classroom sessions and contrasting work placements in schools
• Start date: September 2020
• Apprenticeship level: Advanced Level Apprenticeship (Level 3)
• Apprenticeship standard: Teaching Assistant
• Essential entry qualifications: GCSEs A* - C, Maths and English

Please state on your application if you would like to be considered for the apprenticeship or experienced position. 

Working with us:  Longfield Academy offers a friendly and supportive working environment with innovation and collaboration at the heart of everything we do.  Following our most recent inspection (2018), it has been confirmed that Longfield Academy continues to provide strong educational outcomes for students.  Leaders of the academy are highly ambitious for all of the students but also that we do not limit that ambition to the outcomes of public examinations - our students being prepared for life is equally as important to everyone at the academy. The relationships that students have with the staff has been identified as a key reason that our academy thrives. Our Post 16 provision continues to go from strength to strength, rated in the top 10% for Kent.

The school is heavily oversubscribed in Year 7 and Year 12. Longfield Academy benefits from modern, state-of-the-art facilities for learning across all subject areas. We have a thorough and robust approach to school improvement and is well on course to becoming a truly Outstanding school.

Being part of Leigh Academies Trust: As of 1st September 2020, our Trust will comprise 28 geographically organised academies (11 secondaries, 15 primaries and 2 special) educating over 16,000 students, and employing over 2,500 talented staff.  We also have one further secondary academy in development phase, due to open in September 2021.  The Trust is establishing four ‘clusters’ of academies: North West Kent; Central Kent; South East London; Medway. In addition, the Trust is responsible for one of the region’s biggest initial teaching training providers and a large teaching school. Click here to view our future plans in our Vision 2025 document.  

As part of Leigh Academies Trust you will have ample opportunity to collaborate with your peers both within the academy and across the whole Trust.  This is an important part of our vision as we know through experience that we perform better when we work together.  You are supported to undertake regular self-development to continue your professional development and hopefully progress further within the organisation.

We strive to offer a range of benefits that all employees can take advantage of which we regularly review and add to - click here to view what you’d receive as a member of staff with Leigh Academies Trust. 

The academy is committed to safeguarding children and successful candidates will be subject to an Enhanced DBS check. Our commitment to safeguarding is underpinned by robust processes and checks which are in place across the Trust.

Recruitment and hiring during COVID-19: Despite the challenges we face, recruitment and hiring will continue for all Leigh Academies Trust vacancies with as little disruption as possible over the coming weeks and months. This is for all senior, teaching and support staff appointments. Applications will still be reviewed and interviews conducted in a timely manner, although interview activities will vary. If you have any queries or concerns, please get in touch with the LAT Talent Team - talent@latrust.org.uk

Based on the quality and quantity of applications received, Leigh Academies Trust reserves the right to close this vacancy sooner than the specified closing date.  Applicants will be notified of this where possible.  Therefore, early applications are encouraged.