Apprentice Learning Support Assistant

The East Manchester Academy; Manchester; On-site; GBP 7,000 - 11,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

PPA allowance

Cycle2work scheme

Gym membership

Employee Assistance Programme

Health Cash Plan

Comprehensive CPD programme

Wellbeing and workload support

Job summary

The East Manchester Academy is offering an Apprentice Learning Support Assistant role within our SEN Faculty. This fixed-term apprenticeship (approx. 18 months) leads to a Level 3 SEND Teaching Assistant qualification and a potential permanent role.

You’ll gain hands-on experience in a supportive secondary school while completing the Be Ready SEND Teaching Assistant Level 3 Apprenticeship Programme. You’ll work with students with special educational needs, support learning in lessons, and

Qualifications

• Passionate about supporting children and young people.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills are essential.
• Organised, reliable and eager to learn; committed to inclusion.

Responsibilities

• Work alongside teachers and Learning Support Assistants in lessons.
• Support students one-to-one and in small groups.
• Assist with intervention programmes and targeted support.
• Encourage independence and positive engagement with learning.
• Help students overcome barriers to learning.
• Support social, emotional and personal development of young people.
• Develop professional knowledge through structured apprenticeship training.

Skills

Patience & care

Excellent communication

Interpersonal skills

Organised & reliable

Education

GCSE English & Maths (4/C or above)

Willing to work towards Functional Skills

Job description

Fixed Term until completion of the Apprenticeship, approximately 18 months. On completion, the need for the role will be reviewed and a permanent role may be offered.

About Us

The East Manchester Academy is a vibrant and innovative educational community in the heart of Beswick. We are a part of the Greater Manchester Education Trust. Together, we create lives of opportunity.

‘The East Manchester Academy is a beacon of hope and aspiration for pupils’ (Ofsted 2023)

‘The sense of community is tangible in this inclusive school.’ (Ofsted 2025)

This is an exciting opportunity to join The East Manchester Academy, a vibrant and ambitious school at the heart of a diverse community. Following our positive Ofsted inspection in March 2025—where we achieved ‘Good’ overall and ‘Outstanding’ for Personal Development and Leadership and Management—we are continuing to build on our rapid improvement journey.

We are a growing academy and we are now looking to add further capacity to our team as we enter the next stage of our development; to become an exceptional school that ensures the children of East Manchester flourish both academically and socially. We are a forward thinking and happy school, we embrace research and work collaboratively with colleagues within and beyond our trust to drive standards.

Please visit our website to learn more about us and contact: [e-mail] if you would like to arrange a visit to the academy prior to application.

About the Role

Do you have a passion for helping young people succeed? Are you looking for a meaningful career where you can learn, develop and make a genuine difference every day?

The East Manchester Academy is seeking an enthusiastic and committed Apprentice Learning Support Assistant to join our thriving and ambitious SEN Faculty.

This is much more than a job. It is an opportunity to gain hands‑on experience in a successful secondary school while completing the Be Ready SEND Teaching Assistant Level 3 Apprenticeship Programme, a fully funded development programme designed to equip you with the knowledge, skills and experience needed for a long‑term career in education.

As an Apprentice Learning Support Assistant, you will receive a recognised Level 3 SEND Teaching Assistant qualification while working directly with students and experienced professionals. The programme includes:

• A fully funded Level 3 qualification.
• Approximately 14-15 months of structured learning.
• Monthly live training sessions and masterclasses.
• Dedicated support from a Skills Coach throughout the programme.
• Peer‑to‑peer networking and support across schools within the Trust.
• Regular progress reviews and preparation for End Point Assessment.
• CPD-accredited professional development.

Working within our SEN Faculty, you will support students with special educational needs and additional learning needs to access learning, achieve academic success and develop confidence.

You will:

• Work alongside teachers and Learning Support Assistants in lessons.
• Support students on a one‑to‑one and small‑group basis.
• Assist with intervention programmes and targeted support.
• Encourage independence and positive engagement with learning.
• Help students overcome barriers to learning.
• Support the social, emotional and personal development of young people.
• Develop your professional knowledge through structured apprenticeship training.

About You

We are looking for someone who:

• Is passionate about supporting children and young people.
• Is patient, positive and caring.
• Has excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Is organised, reliable and eager to learn.
• Believes in the importance of inclusion and equal opportunities for all students.
• Has GCSE Grade 4/C or above in English and Maths, or is willing to work towards the required Functional Skills qualifications as part of the apprenticeship programme.

Career Development

The Be Ready programme is designed to provide clear progression routes within education. Apprentices gain valuable experience, recognised qualifications and a strong foundation for future support staff and educational careers. The programme forms part of a trust‑wide commitment to developing highly skilled support staff and improving outcomes for young people.

Full details about the role and the qualifications, experience, and attributes required can be found in the attached Job Description and Person Specification.

Why Join Us?

The successful candidate will join an academy that is relentless in its drive to ensure our students and staff alike achieve their very best and our proud of themselves. We are proud to serve our diverse and inclusive community and wish to appoint a practitioner who shares our commitment to young people in challenging circumstances who believes that excellent leadership can leverage high levels of performance and remains optimistic in the face of adversity.

We value our colleagues and also offer the following:

• A minimum 20% PPA allowance for all staff
• Joint PPA time for departments to plan collaboratively
• Cycle2work scheme
• Gym membership
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Health Cash Plan
• A comprehensive CPD programme to support pedagogical and leadership development
• A low stakes approach to QA to ensure teachers keep getting better
• Strategic partnerships with external organisations to support staff development
• A genuine commitment to wellbeing and effective workload management

A Trust for Every Child and Every Colleague

We believe that great futures are built by great people. Colleagues who work in our schools will experience the same focus on care and guidance, opportunity and challenge, so that they can deliver an exceptional education to our young people. They will become the very best practitioners through bespoke support and opportunities to learn professionally, to collaborate, to lead innovation and to advance their career with us.

We strive for excellence in everything we do. At GMET, every role, from teaching to support, is valued. You’ll be supported and empowered to grow within a trust where our core values guide our work with learners, colleagues, families, and the wider community.

We invest in our people. As part of GMET, you’ll benefit from a wide range of employee benefits designed to support your health and wellbeing, help you save money, and make your salary go further including:

• A warm, inclusive, and supportive school culture
• High expectations for all learners and staff
• A strong focus on wellbeing and professional development
• Opportunities to innovate and collaborate across the trust
• A commitment to equity, diversity and accessibility
• Tailored CPD and coaching
• Trust-wide networks and learning communities
• Leadership development pathways
• Access to wellbeing resources and flexible working options

We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applicants from all backgrounds. If you require any adjustments during the recruitment process, please let us know.