Learning Support Assistant

Term time only

34 hours per week x 45.6 weeks per year

Start Date:    As soon as a Disclosure and Barring Service check has been received

Salary: Scale point 1 £17,063pa, rising to scale point 3 after appropriate experience and successful completion of training £17,682pa with the possibility of eventual promotion through our career progression scheme to a scale point 12 £20,762pa.

The Role

This is an exciting opportunity to make a real difference to the lives of children with a vision impairment, some of whom have additional needs.

Learning Support Assistants (LSA) work alongside teachers. You will be someone who likes children and young people and is willing to be responsible both for helping them learn, but also for their safety and wellbeing.

You will be part of a supportive team and we will offer you training to enhance your development. There are opportunities to progress as a Teaching Assistant, Supervisory Teaching Assistant and Higher-Level Teaching Assistant through our internal progression scheme.

About Us:

Joseph Clarke School caters for pupils with a vision impairment some of whom may have additional learning needs.  The school is part of the Whitefield Academy Trust, located in Walthamstow and Highams Park. Working across the Trust, we harness the specialist expertise of all our teams in order to deliver an outstanding school experience which combines high standards of teaching and learning with excellent pastoral care.

About Whitefield Academy Trust

With an ethos based on enjoyment, achievement and wellbeing for all, Whitefield Academy Trust seeks to open up the world for children and young people with SEND.  Located in Waltham Forest, the Trust comprises Joseph Clarke School (for children with vision impairment and /or additional needs), Whitefield School (for pupils with complex needs including autism, learning difficulties and sensory and physical impairments), Professional Development Services and the highly successful Project SEARCH East London.

We are expert in serving children and young people with SEND and giving them the tools, skills and confidence to move on to the next stages of their education and lives.

About you:

We are looking for candidates have had experience of working with children and young people in either a voluntary or paid capacity. Experience of working with children with Special Educational Needs would be an advantage but is not essential as training will be provided. An interest in working with children with vision impairment is key and you will be supported to learn techniques to guide severely vision impaired pupils and also to read and write in Braille.

Why join Whitefield Academy Trust?

Just as we seek to give our pupils an outstanding school experience, we want every member of our team to find being part of Whitefield Academy Trust a fulfilling and enjoyable experience.  Whatever their role, we are committed to supporting each team member and giving them every opportunity to progress their careers across our schools and services.

We are proud to offer:

• A wide-ranging and high-quality CPD programme which can be tailored around each team member’s unique skills and career aspirations;

• A welcoming and inspiring working environment in which colleagues look out for and support one another; 

• Opportunities to share best practice and ideas with colleagues across the Trust;

• Wellbeing support mechanisms including practical and emotional support and a Staff Wellbeing Group;

• A strong mentoring scheme;

• A competitive local government or teachers’ pension scheme, with defined benefits;

• Very generous annual leave allowances;

• Recognition of continuous service with Local Authorities and other academy trusts for various employment entitlements;

• Interest free loans for bicycle purchase;

• Childcare voucher scheme.

But, above all, working at Whitefield Academy Trust is a highly rewarding and satisfying experience.  Thanks to the commitment, energy and determination of our staff, all of our children and young people make fantastic progress during their time with us.  Watching their progress and working alongside families is immensely satisfying and, as a Trust, we take every opportunity to recognise and celebrate the important role our staff play in transforming the lives of our children and young people.

Find out more

For an informal conversation about the role please make an appointment with Angela Norris on 020 8523 4833.   

To download an application form, visit www.josephclarkeschool.org.uk or contact the Human Resources Department: personnel@josephclarke.waltham.sch.uk

Closing date:   31st January 2022

Interview Date: w/c 7th February 2022

Whitefield Academy Trust is uncompromising in its commitment to safeguarding children and young people.

The Trust is committed to promoting a diverse and inclusive community - a place where we can all be ourselves and succeed on merit, ensuring best practice in our recruitment process is essential to our commitment.