Learning Support Assistant

Job Introduction 

We seek an outstanding and innovative Learning Support Assistant, who is committed to securing high standards to join a dynamic and supportive team. The Learning Support Assistant supports students in and out of the classroom, removing barriers to success and enabling progress to happen.  

Our Learning Support Assistants enjoy working closely with the students and seeing their progress, and often move onto teacher training within our group of academies. 

This role involves supporting pupils in different classes who are struggling academically and require interventions and support. Therefore it is expected that you will be able to help pupils in all subjects effectively. You will work in a team led by the school SENCO and receive specialist training to develop your practice. 

Why this role? 

• This is a fantastic opportunity for you to grow, inspire and shape young minds. 
• You will be working with enthusiastic and supportive staff and encouraging students wherever you go, seeing them grow throughout their academic journey which is one of the most rewarding experiences you can have. 

This is a potential stepping-stone in your career progression, with the possibility of moving up to Cover Supervisor or teacher training. 

You will relate to the Academy’s ethos of “the best in everyone” and enjoy working with a rich, diverse group of young people in a dynamic and vibrant learning environment. Walthamstow Academy is sponsored by United Learning. As part of the largest group of Academies and independent schools, we offer outstanding professional development and career progression across both the maintained and independent sector.

To conclude, we need someone who is passionate about making a difference. 

Main Responsibilities 

• Assisting classroom teachers with daily duties 
• Taking individuals or small groups of students during lessons and assisting with their learning 
• Attending to the educational, personal, and social needs of students and any other requirements depending on the student’s special needs 
• Supporting students with an Education, Health and Care Plan and, provide support to other students identified as having SEN, individually or in small groups 
• Supporting students with physiotherapy exercises 
• Acting as a scribe or reader in exams 

Working for us 

Walthamstow Academy opened its impressive new building in 2006 and since then we have achieved excellent results both at GCSE and at A Level. In 2022, Walthamstow Academy students achieved a Progress 8 score of 0.5. At A-Level, our students achieve excellently with between 25% and 50% typically progressing to Russell Group institutions. Because we are so successful, the school is now full and oversubscribed on first choices alone. We do not achieve these results by accident. At Walthamstow Academy, we believe in the best in everyone. We have a relentless focus on high expectations and aim to identify barriers to success and provide necessary support as quickly as possible to ensure our students achieve. We do not accept excuses and always strive for the best.

 The Academy is proud of its multi-cultural character, and we celebrate the diversity of heritage in our community. 89% of our students are from minority ethnic groups, many coming from African, Caribbean, Eastern European, Turkish and Pakistani communities.

Within the community served by the academy there is social and economic disadvantage with 37% of students being eligible for Pupil Premium. Almost 60% have a first language other than English and a significant number have low levels of literacy on entry. Many students enter the Academy with low levels of attainment and the staff work hard to add value to their performance. Standards across the Academy are above national averages in most subjects.

 The Academy is located close to the North Circular Road, M11 and both Blackhorse Road and Walthamstow Central underground stations from where it takes about half an hour to get into central London. The Academy is situated in a part of London where property prices are still relatively inexpensive and within easy access of Epping Forest, the Lee Valley and rural Hertfordshire and Essex.

 Walthamstow Academy has achieved the CPLD Gold Award in recognition of our investment in professional development, because we know that without our wonderful staff, what we have achieved would not be possible, so thank you for your interest in coming to work with us. It starts with someone like you believing you can contribute further to our community.

What we Offer

Here at Walthamstow Academy, we are committed to ensuring our employees feel valued and appreciated and this includes your employee benefits. 

We work with Perkbox to offer you over 250 exclusive benefits, all through their easy-to-access platform and app. Featuring a huge range of perks, from discounted cinema tickets and holidays, to money off meals out at restaurants nationwide, and savings on food, technology and clothes shopping.

Discounted Gym Memberships through Perkbox, you can access a range of gym membership discounts at over 3000 sites across the country. We also provide free use of our school gym 24/7 with weekly participation of sporting tournaments on offer.

Cycle2Work Scheme provides you with a bicycle and equipment such as lights, locks and panniers so that you can cycle to work and in your spare time! As this is a salary sacrifice scheme, you can save money through income tax and NI deductions.

Car Lease Scheme, as a Group, we have partnered with SG Fleet to launch the Novalease scheme for all staff, providing you with access to great discounts on car leasing through a direct debit scheme. You can also exchange a portion of your gross salary in return for any lower CO2 emission car of your choice.

Support and Continuous Professional Development is available for staff at all stages of their career. Our Learning Support Assistants often go on and train to teach through our own teacher training programme, United Teaching.  

About United Learning

United Learning is a unique group of independent and state schools working together to achieve the best in everyone. Our vision is to provide excellent education so that all young people are able to make a success of their lives and, if we are to realise this vision, we need to make sure we attract, develop and reward the key ingredient – you.