Learning Support Assistant

The Role

Mary Astell Academy is an alternative provision academy established in September 2018. Based in the West End of Newcastle, the academy works with young people aged 11 to 16 who have been permanently excluded from mainstream education. We provide access to a full-time, broad and balanced education appropriate to pupils’ potential and educational needs and encourage their reintegration back into a mainstream school setting wherever possible.

Our young people are also able to access a wide range of therapeutic interventions to support them in recognising and understanding triggers for their behaviours and explore strategies that support them in dealing with these. We recognise that adverse childhood experiences and traumatic experiences have often impacted upon the lives of our young people and that for many of them not only have they survived but have shown great strength in doing so. At Mary Astell we seek to restore them and help individuals return to a path towards happy and fulfilling adult lives.

Do you have a passion for teaching and learning? Do you have experience or interest in working with pupils with social, emotional, and mental health challenges? Do you want to join a friendly and supportive team of staff?

If you answered yes to these questions, then you might be the ideal candidate for the Learning Support position at Mary Astell Academy. 

As a Learning Support Assistant , you will work closely with the class teacher and the SENCO to support the delivery of high quality teaching and learning for our pupils. You will help them to overcome barriers to learning, develop their social and emotional skills, and achieve their full potential. You will also contribute to the development of a positive and inclusive learning environment that meets the needs of all our pupils.

Prosper Learning Trust was established in January 2018 with Newcastle Bridges School and Mary Astell Academy. Thomas Bewick School joined in 2019, Harry Watts opened in September 2020 and Gilbert Ward Academy opened in 2023. We are striving to further build collaboration across the schools and grow as a Multi Academy Trust, whilst continuing to strengthen our relationships with schools outside the MAT for the benefit of our pupils.

The successful candidate will be deployed initially at Mary Astell Academy but will be expected to work at any Prosper Learning Trust site should the need arise.



The Trust is proud to say that we match the Real Living Wage and we also offer successful candidates:

·        A friendly and supportive team of staff who are willing to share expertise and learn from one another

·        Opportunities for career development and support with development through Trust wide CPD programmes

·        Access to an Employee Assistance Programme and support from the Trust's Wellbeing Network Group

·        Access to either Teacher's Pension or Local Government Pension Scheme

Full details can be found on our website. https://www.prosperlearningtrust.co.uk/121/why-work-for-us

To learn more about Mary Astell Academy and Prosper Learning Trust, please visit www.prosperlearningtrust.co.uk

If you would like to discuss the post before applying contact, Francesca Brown, Acting Deputy Headteacher at Mary Astell Academy on 0191 267 4447 to arrange an informal chat.

Please note that all successful candidates will be required to complete an online pre-employment medical questionnaire.

Benefits

Other
Pro Rata	£20,860 to £21,569

Qualifications

Qualification Title	Grade
GCSE Maths and English grade 4-9 (A-C) or equivalent		Essential
TA2 qualification or equivalent or relevant experience		Essential

Skills

Abilities, Skills and Knowledge
Experience of supporting students in a learning environment with learning difficulties	Essential
Prepared to undertake ongoing professional development.	Essential
Willingness to participate in out of school activities.	Essential
Ability to manage change and meet competing deadlines	Essential
High expectations of pupil achievement.	Essential
ICT skills to support students in lessons	Essential
Understanding of the curriculum guidance of the National Curriculum.	Desirable
Good verbal and written communication skills.	Essential
As understanding of assessment, recording and reporting processes	Essential
A Clear vision of how the role can be used to ensure student progression and effective delivery of their learning	Essential
A clear understanding of the LSA role	Essential
Relevant Skills
Clean current driving licence	Desirable
Personal Qualities
Calm, confident, and professional manner	Essential
Personal Attributes
Positive attitude to change	Essential
Ability to form and maintain appropriate relationships and personal boundaries with children and young people with learning difficulties.	Essential
Excited by opportunities presented by the post.	Essential
Ability to find creative answers to problems.	Desirable
Experience
Able to undertake an active role in co-ordinating reviews of student progress including liaison with other agencies as appropriate	Essential
Able to contribute effectively to the planning of the teaching programme	Essential
Able to undertake routine invigilation and marking	Essential
Able to work within and apply all relevant polices and schemes of work	Essential
Experience of assisting in the teaching of National Curriculum to pupils with learning difficulties.	Desirable
Special Requirements
Ability to provide care and welfare to students	Essential
Enhanced DBS checked to work with vulnerable children	Essential
Experience/Knowledge
Ability to demonstrate good contribution to assisting teaching in present school.	Essential
Qualifications
Good GCSE's including English and Maths	Essential
Further professional development in special educational needs.	Desirable
NVQ Level 2 or 3 Teaching Assistants or equivalent qualification	Essential
CPD / Training
First Aid Training	Desirable