Learning Support Assistant

 Make a difference every day – join our fantastic team at Orchard Head! 

Salary: £25,582– £25,989 FTE (actual salary £11,115.68 – £11,292.09) per annum pending pay increment for 2026/2027  

Start date: As soon as possible

Application deadline: 10:00, Monday 2 November 2026  

Interview date: Week commencing Monday 2 November 2026 

A rewarding role at the heart of our school community 

Join our friendly team at Orchard Head! We’re looking for a caring and enthusiastic Learning Support Assistant to support pupils in the classroom and help create a positive learning environment.   Whether you’re new to working in education or looking for a fresh start, we’ll support you every step of the way with full training and support - no school experience required. 

What you’ll do: 

• Support pupils individually or in small groups 

• Assist teachers with learning activities, interventions and classroom tasks 

• Encourage positive pupil behaviour and active engagement in lessons 

• Support pupil’s wellbeing and promote inclusion across the school 

This role is perfect for someone who enjoys working with children, is patient and supportive, and wants to contribute to an inspiring and nurturing school environment. 

A role where you can truly make a difference 

This is a fantastic opportunity to become part of a compassionate and dedicated team who work together to ensure that learning is engaging and rewarding for all pupils.  If you are enthusiastic, reliable and committed to helping pupils achieve their best, we would love to hear from you.   

Contract details: 

• Permanent    

• 18 hours per week 

• Working pattern of: 08:30 – 15:30, over 3 days to be agreed upon appointment 

• Term time plus 2 days only (197 working days per year) 

Ready to apply? 

To apply, complete an application form via our website. 

About Orchard Primary School 

Orchard Head is a caring and friendly school where children are polite, enthusiastic and lovely to work with. We’re proud of our strong academic results, but just as proud of the warm, supportive atmosphere that helps every child grow in confidence and enjoy their time at school. 

Our staff often talk about how valued and supported they feel, and how positive and welcoming the school community is. Orchard Head is a place where teamwork really matters and where everyone plays a part in helping children have the best school experience. 

If you enjoy working with children and want to join a kind, supportive team, Orchard Head is a fantastic place to be. 

For further information about our school, please visit our website. 

School visits and further information   

Potential candidates are encouraged and very welcome to visit our school. This is a great opportunity to explore our facilities, meet our dedicated staff, and get a feel for the vibrant community we have built here. We look forward to welcoming you and answering any questions you may have. Please contact us at recruitment@arkorchardhead.org.uk or call 01977 723495 to arrange this. 

What can we offer you? 
Be part of a team that values your wellbeing, development and work–life balance. As a member of our school community, you’ll benefit from: 

• Exciting career and leadership pathways supported by outstanding CPD opportunities 

• Everyday Development (EDD) Framework: A simple, personal and flexible goal-based approach to continuous learning, career growth and wellbeing 

• For the 2026/27 academic year, we have provided staff with three Everyday Development (EDD) days, the next is on Friday 11th December 2026. These development days will offer you self-directed time away from the workplace to recharge and reflect on your personal and career goals 

• Generous employer pension (West Yorkshire Pension Fund – LGPS) 

• Fantastic family friendly policies with a focus on employee work/life balance,  

• Access to Ark Rewards scheme offering savings from over 3,000 major retailers, interest- free loans available for travel seasons tickets or a bike, gym discounts and free eye tests  

• Blue Light Card    

• Employee wellbeing programme (including physiotherapy, personal or professional concerns on legal, health, finance, wellbeing, and other matters) 

• Free flu vaccinations. 

Click here to find out more about the benefits of working for Ark 

About Ark 

There are 34,000 students learning in our network of 48 schools across Birmingham, Hastings, London, Pontefract and Portsmouth. We’ve always believed that, with the right approach, every child has the potential to succeed. We work in the communities where we can make the biggest difference to children’s lives, and all our schools are non-selective.   

It works: our schools achieve great results – significantly outperforming national averages, especially when it comes to driving progress – the best measure for ‘closing the gap’.  

We take what we learn in our schools to develop new solutions and approaches that we can share. Over the last two decades, we have developed and incubated more than 20 projects and programmes, supporting them to scale and achieve systemic impact on the life chances of all children. Over 300,000 children currently learn using an Ark curriculum and our Ark Start nurseries are demonstrating a new model for early years education that we hope will become the norm. 

Diversity and inclusion 

We aim to build a diverse and inclusive organisation where everyone – staff and students – can do their best work and achieve their full potential. We want to reflect and represent diverse perspectives across our organisation because we know that doing so will make us stronger and more effective. To know more about Ark’s diversity and inclusion commitments, please click on this link. 

Safeguarding statement 

Ark is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people in its academies. In order to meet this responsibility, its academies follow a rigorous selection process to discourage and screen out unsuitable applicants.  

Ark requires all employees to undertake an enhanced DBS check. You are required, before appointment, to disclose any unspent conviction, cautions, reprimands or warnings under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975. Non-disclosure may lead to termination of employment. However, disclosure of a criminal background will not necessarily debar you from employment - this will depend upon the nature of the offence(s) and when they occurred. To read more about Ark’s safer recruitment process, please click this link. 

Please note we will be reviewing applications on an on-going basis and this role may close earlier than advertised depending on the level of response. We strongly encourage to submit your application at your earliest convenience. 

Further information 

Contact us on 01977 723495 or email recruitment@arkorchardhead.org.uk