Learning Support Assistant

Accrington Academy; Blackburn; On-site; GBP 21,000 - 30,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Health Cash Plan

Free Will writing service

Car lease scheme

Gym membership discounts

Job summary

Accrington Academy seeks a committed Learning Support Assistant to support students across the school, focusing on SEND, SEMH, and EAL needs. You will work with teachers, SEND teams, and pastoral staff to deliver targeted interventions and help students overcome barriers to learning.

The role involves 1:1 and small-group support, promoting wellbeing, and assisting with EHCPs and IEPs, with flexible working options and a generous benefits package.

Qualifications

• GCSE English and Maths at Grade 4/C or above.
• Level 3 qualification or willingness to undertake the Level 3 Teaching Assistant Apprenticeship.

Responsibilities

• Support individual students and small groups in lessons.
• Deliver targeted interventions and personalised programmes.
• Support SEND, SEMH and other barriers to learning.

Skills

Student support

Trauma-informed practice

Communication & relationships

Emotional wellbeing

Education

GCSE English and Maths (4/C)

Level 3 qualification or willingness to undertake TA Apprenticeship

Job description

credit_card Salary £25,993.00-£29,623.00 (Full Time Equivalent), £20,933.00-23,857.00 (Actual) United Learning Support Staff Pay Scale Teaching and Learning Band 2(Vocational) -inclusive of cost-of-living increase for 2026-2027.

Accrington Academy has a strong local reputation and has been oversubscribed for several years. We are a successful school, where our staff and students thrive in a purposeful, ambitious, and supportive environment. We seek to provide outstanding education and bring out ‘The best in everyone’ every single day.We are incredibly proud to deliver a curriculum which combines powerful knowledge and outstanding examination results with Education with Character; an education which challenges, inspires and excites our students and prepares them for the ups and downs of life. With this in mind, we provide a breadth of opportunities and experiences which seek to help our students become confident, well-rounded, and ambitious young adults. Our curriculum and enrichment programme are overflowing with opportunities to try something new and develop new skills.The academy continues to go from strength to strength, with passionate staff who are willing to go the ‘extra mile’ seeing and treating every student as an individual. The environment in which we work is modern and vibrant with first class facilities.As one of the UK’s largest and most respected multi academy trusts, United Learning is committed to helping you thrive. We offer outstanding career development, personalised support, and a culture that truly values your contribution.We are always evolving our benefits to meet the changing needs of our staff and to remain one of the most rewarding places to work in education. Recent additions include a Health Cash Plan, which allows you to claim back the cost of private healthcare, covering everything from dental and optical care to physiotherapy and specialist consultations. We have also introduced a free Will writing service, giving you peace of mind for the future.

As a United Learning colleague, you will benefit from:

• Some of the most competitive salaries in the sector, with average pay around 5% above national scales.
• At least eight INSET days each year, including three dedicated to planning.
• Tailored professional development to support your career goals.
• Access to Westfield Rewards, offering discounts and cashback at hundreds of major retailers.
• Enhanced family leave benefits.
• A comprehensive Health Cash Plan to help cover every day healthcare costs, reducing financial pressure while supporting your wellbeing.
• Discounts on gym memberships.
• A convenient car lease scheme.
• 24/7 access to a free and confidential employee assistance programme for emotional and practical support.

As an Accrington Academy colleague, you will also benefit from:

• A commitment to support you where possible with flexible working options which suit your lifestyle.
• At least one guaranteed paid personal day each year, to use as you wish.
• Excellent facilities and resources, including onsite gym and pool.

We are always evolving our benefits to meet the changing needs of our staff and to remain one of the most rewarding places to work in education.

All positions are subject to an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring check from the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) and shortlisted candidates will be subject to an online check.

We always appoint on merit, and we are open to discussing flexible working options.

Job details

Salary £25,993.00-£29,623.00 (Full Time Equivalent), £20,933.00-23,857.00 (Actual) United Learning Support Staff Pay Scale Teaching and Learning Band 2(Vocational) -inclusive of cost-of-living increase for 2026-2027.

Salary: £25,993.00-£29,623.00 (Full Time Equivalent), £20,933.00-23,857.00 (Actual) United Learning Support Staff Pay Scale Teaching and Learning Band 2(Vocational) -inclusive of cost-of-living increase for 2026-2027.

Contract: Term Time Only, 35 hours per week

Start Date: Start Date: ASAP-Following satisfactory completion of all pre-employment checks

We are seeking to appoint a committed, compassionate and highly motivated Learning Support Assistant to join our Inclusion Department.

This is a rewarding opportunity to support the academic, social and emotional development of students across the school, particularly those with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND), Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH) needs, English as an Additional Language (EAL), and other identified vulnerabilities.

Working closely with teaching staff, the SEND team and pastoral colleagues, you will provide targeted support within lessons, small group interventions and on a one-to-one basis. You will help students overcome barriers to learning, build confidence and independence, and achieve their full potential both academically and personally.

We are particularly interested in candidates who have experience of supporting students with SEMH needs and can demonstrate knowledge of areas such as trauma-informed practice, Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs), ADHD, emotional regulation and co-regulation strategies, Emotionally Based School Avoidance (EBSA), and evidence-based interventions such as Lego Therapy, Drawing and Talking Therapy or ELSA approaches.

The successful candidate will have experience of working with young people in an educational or similar setting and will be able to build positive relationships, communicate effectively and contribute to improving student outcomes. Applicants must hold GCSE English and Mathematics at Grade 4/C or above and either hold a relevant Level 3 qualification or be willing to undertake the Level 3 Teaching Assistant Apprenticeship.

Key Responsibilities:

• Supporting individual students and small groups within the classroom.
• Delivering targeted interventions and personalised support programmes.
• Supporting students with SEND, SEMH and other barriers to learning.
• Promoting emotional wellbeing, resilience and positive engagement in learning.
• Assisting with the implementation of EHCPs, Individual Education and Behaviour Plans and agreed support strategies.
• Monitoring, recording and reporting on student progress and achievement.
• Building positive relationships with students, families and colleagues to support student success.
• Working collaboratively with teaching, pastoral and SEND teams to remove barriers to learning and raise attainment.

We can offer you:

• As part of United Learning, we pay an average of 5% above national scales – the best rates of pay in the sector.
• We offer access to a health cash plan which gives you money back on essential healthcare, from opticians to physiotherapy, and guarantees you 24/7 access to an online GP.
• Access to 250 employee benefits through Westfield Rewards, saving you money on supermarket shopping,gym memberships,holidays,breakdown cover,car leasing,cycle schemesandmore.

More time:

• All our academies start every term with an additional INSET day set aside for your own planning (in addition to the usual fiveINSET days– giving you eight in total);
• At least one guaranteed paid personal day each year, to use as you want; and we offer opportunities for flexible working.

More support:

• We provide high-quality training and development for every stage in your career;
• Every staff member benefits from a personal development plan to support your progression and aspirations;
• We give you access to a high-quality curriculum with excellent resources and provide support from expert subject advisers;
• We offer access to a comprehensive wellbeing programme, providing support from legal and financial to family and housing and access to free counselling and other wellbeing support.

This is an exciting opportunity for someone who is passionate about making a difference to the lives of young people and supporting them to achieve success both academically and personally.