Learning Support Assistant N4

Pay/ Salary Range: N4 SCP 7-9 FTE: £25,584.00 - £26,409.00

£19,890 - £20,531 actual salary pro-rata (£13.26 - £13.69 per hour)

Working Pattern: 33.5 hours per week, term time + 5 additional training days

Are you seeking a new challenge?

Gilbert Ward Academy is delighted to announce an exciting opportunity for a Learning Support Assistant to join our team. As a brand-new, state-of-the-art secondary age special school that opened its doors in September 2023, we are at the forefront of providing exceptional education for pupils with Social, Emotional, and Mental Health (SEMH) needs.

This role is perfect for a positive and professional individual with:

• Level 2 DfE recognised Teaching Assistant, Special Needs Assistant, EYFS or Childcare qualification OR Level 3 (or higher) qualification in any field with relevant experience e.g. working in a classroom
• An ability to support the teaching of pupils with learning difficulties
• An understanding of the educational environment and teaching of pupils with learning difficulties

As a valued member of our team, you will:

• Assist in providing classroom support duties
• Take part in curriculum related tasks under the direction of the teacher
• Respond to pupils’ social, emotional and physical needs

Does this sound like the perfect fit for you?

Located in Blyth, Northumberland, our academy currently serves 60 pupils, with plans to expand our capacity to 80 pupils by September. This expansion represents a unique chance for the successful candidate to play a crucial role in shaping our school’s provision and establishing a lasting legacy in the field of special education.

You will work under the guidance of the class teacher and the leadership team to support the teaching and learning of 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.

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. Be part of our journey at Gilbert Ward Academy, where together, we can create a brighter future for our pupils.

To learn more about Gilbert Ward Academy and Prosper Learning Trust, please visit the websites.

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 Gilbert Ward Academy but will be expected to work at any Prosper Learning Trust site should the need arise.

Benefits of working for Prosper Learning Trust

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 

The successful candidate will be welcome into the Trust, so if this sounds like the job for you please don't hesitate to apply. 

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.