Learning Support Assistant - Kingston

Learning Support Assistant – Secondary School –Fixed-Term – ASAP start

Role: Learning Support Assistant

School: Secondary – Girls

Location: Kingston-Upon-Thames

Contract: Fixed-Term/Long-Term

Salary: £22,504 - £23,183 per annum

Start Date: ASAP

Our Secondary School and Sixth Form is a comprehensive girls’ state secondary school, with a co-educational Sixth Form. The school is heavily oversubscribed and is committed to providing an excellent education to children in the local area.

We are proud of the progress our students make from their starting points during their time with us: the school’s Progress 8 score was +0.52 and 40% of GCSE entries were graded 7 to 9 last year.

Our school is vibrant and diverse, serving the local area of New Malden. We value every individual and the rich wealth of experience, knowledge, values and beliefs they bring to our school.

The experience and talent you will bring to our school will ensure we continue to provide the best education for our students and further increase the breadth of opportunity for the next generation.

Purpose of the post:

• Collaborate with students, staff, and professionals to support students with SEND and EHCPs, assisting with barriers such as visual/hearing impairment, speech/language issues, literacy, numeracy, and emotional wellbeing
• Focus on classroom teaching and learning, with occasional 1:1 or small group support
• Monitor audiological equipment daily under the Teacher of the Deaf's (ToD) guidance
• Manage assigned tasks as directed by the SENDCo

Professional Values and Practice

• Demonstrate high expectations and respect for students’ diverse backgrounds
• Treat students with respect and consideration, focusing on their development as individual young people and learners
• Model and promote positive values and attitudes
• Communicate sensitively and effectively with parents, acknowledging their role in students' learning
• Recognise the contributions of all staff to teaching, learning, and emotional wellbeing
• Promote the school’s vision of developing curious, confident, and creative students
• Contribute to the school's corporate and extracurricular activities

Main Responsibilities

Support students by:

• Identifying and addressing their needs promptly
• Collaborating with class teachers (and where necessary the Teacher of the Deaf) to positively engage SEND students in the classroom
• Ensuring hearing-impaired students can access lessons through the correct use of audiological equipment and other recommended strategies
• Demonstrating basic subject knowledge to support SEND students, knowing when to intervene or step back, to help them understand and remember their learning
• Prioritising students' wellbeing
• Helping students develop social and independent learning skills
• Identifying challenges related to organisation and diary management, and support students in overcoming them
• Leading or participating in homework club and other enrichment activities
• Work with students to improve attendance issues where appropriate
• Build positive relationships with students and maintain consistent, positive contact with parents, providing regular updates on their child's progress (weekly/ half-termly/ termly), and communicate any concerns promptly, in collaboration with SENDCo
• Assist students as needed during tutor, break, or lunch times

Support teachers by:

• Helping to create SEND-friendly classrooms and encouraging student’s voice to be heard
• Collaborating with teachers and support staff to implement High Quality Teaching strategies and those strategies on students’ Individual Education Plans (IEPs) within the ‘Assess, Plan, Do Review’ framework of the SEND Code of Practice (DfE/DoH; 2015)
• Assisting in evaluating and improving SEND provision in collaboration with SENDCo, HTLA, ToD and SLT and ensuring appropriate record-keeping with ToD and SENDCo for hearing impaired students
• Contributing towards references or referrals when necessary
• Attending advice clinics for specific students
• Ensuring students complete homework
• Informing relevant staff about students' issues and follow through with advice as appropriate
• Assisting class teachers in managing behaviour of students in crisis

Support yourself by:

• Committing to ongoing professional development
• Participating in training to improve expertise in various areas including hearing impairment, inclusion, literacy, numeracy, ASC, ADHD, emotional wellbeing, mental health, and sensory needs
• Adhering to DfE Professional Standards for Teaching Assistants (2016), HLTA Professional Standards and school policies
• Keeping organised records to share information quickly and accurately

Person Specification

Education & Training

Essential:

• GCSE or equivalent (Maths and English Grade C or above)
• Basic knowledge of SEND (hearing impairment, SLCN, SpLD, ASC, ADHD)

Desirable:

• Level 3 qualification in supporting hearing-impaired students (or willingness to train)
• Level 3 ELKLAN Award (or willingness to train)
• Knowledge of literacy intervention programmes
• Up to date knowledge of SEND
• Safeguarding training
• Knowledge of the national curriculum (Key Stage 3)

Experience

Essential:

• Support for students with SEND, especially hearing impairment, SLCN, ASC, ADHD, sensory processing
• Helping SEND students catch up with learning

Desirable:

• Working closely with hearing-impaired students
• Working with EHCP students and evidencing progress
• Supporting students with complex needs, including anxiety and varying mental health needs
• Using the Thrive, Trauma-Informed approach, or Emotion Coaching
• Using engagement strategies for reluctant learners
• Delivering intervention programs (e.g. literacy)

Skills & Qualities

Essential:

• Strong motivation for supporting SEND students
• Excellent communication and organisational skills
• Perseverance, resilience, and attention to detail
• Team player, proactive, and resourceful
• Ability to reflect, self-improve, and stay calm in challenging situations
• Effective collaboration with various adults
• Maintenance of confidentiality
• Ability to build and maintain professional relationships
• Ensure a safe school environment
• Commitment to continuous professional development
• Commitment to School's vision

If you are interested in this Learning Support Assistant opportunity, trials & interviews can be arranged ASAP.

We are dedicated to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and expect all staff to share this commitment. The successful Teacher of English will be subject to enhanced clearance through the Disclosure and Barring Service and employment will be subject to references.

To apply for this Learning Support Assistant opportunity your detailed CV to Clarus Education now to be considered. We will be contacting those shortlisted within 48 hours of an application.

Please see our website page headed ‘About’ and scroll to the bottom to see our ‘Privacy Notice’ for an explanation about how we use information we collect about you.  

Learning Support Assistant – Secondary School –Fixed-Term – ASAP start