Learning Support Assistant

Salary: Grade 4 (£11,778 – £12,254 actual salary) AAAE5051

Hours of work:  27.5 hours per week, 38 weeks (term-time plus Inset Days as required)

Contract:  A temporary contract for 1 year in the first instance will be offered as the funding is linked individual pupil funding.

We require two enthusiastic individuals to join our Learning Support Team to support the progress of SEND students.  Our students have varying needs including Autism, Asperger’s Syndrome and Dyslexia.  Previous experience of supporting students with special educational needs and/or literacy or numeracy programmes will be advantageous.  The successful candidates will be ambitious for the students, the department and actively support the culture and values of the school.  Malbank School and Sixth Form College is proud of its mix of traditional values and innovation.  

This post would suit someone who is:

• Knowledgeable about and has at least a GCSE qualification relevant to English and Maths.  An A level would be desirable.

• Calm and confident.

• Tactful and diplomatic.

• Honest and trustworthy.

• Able to communicate effectively and empathise with students aged 11 - 18 years.

• Self-motivated, energetic and solution focussed.

• Able to plan ahead with initiative.

• An excellent communicator.

• Able to understand how students learn.

• Able to be flexible with an enthusiasm for learning.

• Familiar with a secondary school environment.

The SEN/Connect Department

Our SEN/IRC department consists of the SENCo, Connect Manager, a specialist teacher and 14 Learning Support Assistants. Our English department is well-organised and well-resourced; we currently have a wide variety of resources to support literacy, numeracy, motor skills, handwriting speed and typing tuition.

In the most recent OFSTED report (November 2018) the department was specifically commented on and the report stated ‘Pupils who have an education, health and care plan (EHCP) are well supported … The management of the support provided for pupils who have an education, health and care plans is effective. When inspectors checked these plans, they found that school leaders monitor them closely. Their actions ensure that these pupils are typically taught and supported effectively and make good academic progress. Similarly, the pastoral and health aspects of these plans are set and reviewed effectively. Other pupils with special education needs and/or disabilities (SEND) attend school regularly and staff support their pastoral needs effectively’.

We are a friendly, forward-looking, and co-operative department where we share good practice, support each other and where every member of the department’s experience and input is valued. Continual professional development of colleagues is very important to us and staff are encouraged to attend relevant training courses throughout the year. There are also many opportunities for staff to take on extra responsibilities both within the department and across the school. 

Include with your application form no more than 2 sides of A4, font 12, evidencing how you meet the Person Specification, the skills that equip you to be a successful LSA and how you will contribute to the team.