Learning Support Assistant
Ref: SCH-PLT-0114 25 day(s) remainingAdditional Information
Contract Type: Permanent Contract Term: TTO Plus - Term time only plus weeks Hours per Week: 33.50 Weeks per Year: 39.000 Pay Grade: Support Staff | SCP7 - SCP9The Role
Learning Support Assistant
Pay/ Salary Range: N4 point 7-9 FTE: £25,584- £26,409
(£19,890- £20,531) actual salary pro-rata (£13.26- £13.69 per hour)
Working Pattern: 33.50 hours per week, term time + 5 additional training days
Start date: June and September 2025
Looking for an exciting new role to support teaching pupils with autism and a learning disability?
This role is perfect for a positive and professional individual with:
- A Level 2 Qualification related to education (e.g. Teaching Assistant or Nursery Nurse qualifications) or a Level 3 qualification
- A clear understanding of the Special Needs Assistant’s role
- Preferably some experience working in a classroom
Sounds like the role for you? Read on!
Harry Watts Academy is a specialist free school in Sunderland which opened in September 2020 for autistic pupils aged between 5-16 years with a learning disability. We pride ourselves on having a shared belief that all children have a right to the best education that can be provided and a learning and working environment where all are respected, valued and achievements celebrated.
Harry Watts Academy is a split site school, with locations in both Sunderland (Redhouse) and Washington (Harraton). Currently, our Engage and Explore pathways are based at Redhouse and our Discover pathway is based at Harraton. You will therefore be willing to support the teaching and learning of pupils on any of our three pathways on either of our sites.
As a valued member of our team, you will:
- Assist the class teacher in supporting the teaching and learning of our pupils
- Help children to overcome barriers to learning and develop their social and emotional skills, to encourage them to achieve their full potential
- Work alongside internal and external staff contributing to the development of a positive and inclusive setting that meets the needs of all our pupils
Ready to make a significant impact in the lives of our pupils?
If you are ready to make a significant impact in the lives of our pupils and be part of a vibrant, forward-thinking community, we would love to hear from you. This is a chance to be at the heart of something truly special and work alongside the wonderful pupils at our school.
To learn more about Harry Watts Academy and Prosper Learning Trust, please visit our websites.
Benefits of working for Prosper Learning Trust
Prosper Learning Trust was established in January 2018 to help vulnerable young people succeed against the odds. Four core values underpin everything we do as a Trust, these are Aspiration, Integrity, Resilience and Kindness. We are looking for staff who share those values and want to support our young people.
The Trust currently have 5 schools in the region:
- Newcastle Bridges School – Alternative Provision academy offering education to pupils unable to access mainstream school due to medical needs including hospitalised children and young people (3-19 years)
- Mary Astell Academy – Alternative Provision academy offering education to permanently excluded pupils and pupils who are struggling in mainstream school (11-16 years)
- Thomas Bewick Special School – Special School academy for pupils with a diagnosis of autism (3-19 years)
- Harry Watts Academy – Special School academy for pupils with a diagnosis of autism (5-16 years)
- Gilbert Ward Academy – Special School academy for pupils with SEMH or a diagnosis of autism (11-16 years)
Prosper Learning Trust was also recently named as the lead partner in the opening of a new Free School in Jarrow, South Tyneside. This school will be a Special School academy for pupils with SEMH (4-11 years).
The successful candidate will be deployed initially at Harry Watts 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 Continuing Professional Development (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, each with favourable employer contribution rates.
- Employee centred policies that support you in and beyond the workplace
- Funded eye tests for DSE users (subject to T/Cs)
- Cycle to work scheme
For more information on why we think you should work for us see our Trust website, where you will also find videos of what our current staff think.
Please note that all successful candidates will be required to complete an online pre-employment medical questionnaire.
Qualifications
| Qualification Title | Grade | |
|---|---|---|
| Further professional development in special educational needs |
Desirable
|
|
| Level 2 DfE recognised Teaching Assistant, Special Needs Assistant, EYFS or Childcare qualification OR Level 3 (or higher) qualification in any field with experience of working in a classroom |
Essential
|
Skills
| Abilities, Skills and Knowledge | |
|---|---|
| Excellent Classroom Practitioner |
Essential
|
| Understanding of the curriculum guidance of the National Curriculum. |
Desirable
|
| Ability to provide care and welfare to pupils including the administration of medication (when trained and competency achieved), toilet and other care needs. |
Essential
|
| A clear understanding of the Special Needs Assistant's role |
Essential
|
| Good verbal and written communication skills. |
Essential
|
| An understanding of assessment, recording and reporting processes. |
Essential
|
| A clear vision of how the role can be used to ensure pupil progression and effective delivery of their learning |
Essential
|
| Ability to support the teaching of pupils with learning difficulties |
Essential
|
| Personal Attributes | |
| Positive attitude to change |
Essential
|
| Calm, confident and professional manner |
Essential
|
| High expectations of pupil achievement |
Essential
|
| Ability to form and maintain appropriate relationships and personal boundaries with children and young people with learning difficulties. |
Essential
|
| Ability to find creative answers to problems. |
Desirable
|
| Ability to manage change and prioritise competing deadlines |
Essential
|
| Excited by opportunities presented by the post. |
Essential
|
| Special Requirements | |
| Enhanced DBS checked to work with vulnerable children |
Essential
|
| MiDAS mini-bus test |
Desirable
|
| Prepared to undertake ongoing professional development. |
Essential
|
| Willingness to participate in out of school activities. |
Essential
|
| Experience/Knowledge | |
| Ability to demonstrate good contribution to assisting teaching in present school. |
Essential
|
| An understanding of the educational environment and teaching of pupils with learning difficulties. |
Essential
|
| Relevant Experience | |
| Experience of supporting pupils with autism. |
Desirable
|
| Experience | |
| Experience of assisting in the teaching of National Curriculum to pupils with learning difficulties. |
Essential
|
| Relevant Skills | |
| Clean current driving licence |
Desirable
|
| Qualifications | |
| MIDAS |
Desirable
|
Related Documents
Safeguarding Information
Prosper Learning Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people, as well as vulnerable adults, and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Successful applicants will be required to apply for Disclosure from the DBS.
The Trust actively promotes equality of opportunity with the right mix of talent, skills and potential and welcomes applications from a wide range of candidates, including those with criminal records. The Trust selects all candidates for employment based on their skills, qualifications and experience, in comparison against the person specification.
This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. If you are invited for interview, you will be required to disclose convictions that would not be filtered, prior to the date of the interview. Certain spent convictions and cautions will be ‘protected’ and do not need to be disclosed. Full details on protected convictions and information about which convictions must be declared during job applications can be found on the Ministry of Justice website. You will be asked for further information about your criminal history during the recruitment process. If your application is successful, this self-disclosure information will be checked against information from the Disclosure and Barring Service before your appointment is confirmed. This role will include Regulated Activities and an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) disclosure is required for this post. Please note that in all cases written references will be taken up and made available to interviewers before the final selection stage; even if you indicate otherwise.
Online vetting checks will be carried out for candidates who are shortlisted.
Harry Watts Academy
Ramillies Road
Sunderland
Tyne and Wear
SR5 5JA
Louise Hindmarch
admin@harrywattsacademy.c...