Learning Support Assistant

Acorn Care and Education; Bristol; On-site; GBP 24,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading educational institution in Bristol is seeking a Learning Support Assistant to support children with additional needs. The role involves working closely with teachers, encouraging positive behavior, and building strong relationships with pupils. Ideal candidates will have relevant qualifications and a passion for helping children thrive. This is a full-time position with a salary of £23,638.00 per annum and generous benefits.

Benefits

Life Assurance

Pension scheme

Mental health support services

Discount options

Cycle to Work Schemes

Electric Car Purchase Scheme

Critical illness cover

Inclusive benefits package

Qualifications

• GCSE Grade C/4 or above in English & Maths.
• Basic IT skills required.
• Willingness to undertake training and develop professionally.

Responsibilities

• Supporting individual pupils and small groups across the curriculum.
• Helping deliver personalized learning and behavior support.
• Building positive relationships with pupils, staff, and families.

Skills

GCSE Grade C/4 or above in English & Maths

Basic IT skills

A team player with a flexible attitude

Confident and proactive

Strong communication skills

High expectations for pupil progress

Job description

At OFG, we work smarter so you can spend more time doing what makes you happy!

Job Title: Learning Support Assistant
Location: Manor Wood School, Bishopsworth, Bristol, BS13 8AG
Salary: £23,638.00 per annum (not pro rata)
Hours: 40 hours per week | Monday to Friday | 8:30am – 4:30pm
Contract: Permanent | Term Time Only
Start: December 2025
UK applicants only. This role does not offer sponsorship.

Are you passionate about helping children thrive? Do you want to be part of a warm, committed team who change lives through education, nurture and support?

Manor Wood School is looking for enthusiastic, caring and dedicated Learning Support Assistants to join our fantastic staff team. This is a brilliant opportunity to make a genuine impact on the lives of children with additional needs — every single day.

If you’re energetic, compassionate and ready for a rewarding challenge, we’d love to meet you!

About the Role

As a Learning Support Assistant, you’ll work closely with teachers to support individual pupils and small groups, helping them access learning, grow in confidence and achieve their goals. You’ll be a vital part of the classroom, offering hands‑on support, encouragement and positive role‑modelling.

You’ll build strong relationships, promote independence, support emotional wellbeing, and help create a positive learning environment where every child feels valued, understood and inspired.

This is a role full of variety, purpose and joy — no two days are ever the same!

Key Responsibilities

• Supporting individual pupils and small groups across the curriculum
• Helping deliver personalised learning and behaviour support programmes
• Preparing resources and equipment
• Recording pupil progress and important information
• Encouraging positive behaviour, social skills and self‑esteem
• Supervising pupils throughout the school day, including lunchtime
• Joining external trips and educational visits
• Supporting classroom organisation and displays
• Attending training, meetings and contributing to whole‑school improvement
• Building positive relationships with pupils, staff and families

From celebrating achievements to helping pupils overcome challenges, you’ll be part of the moments that truly matter.

Experience and Skills

• GCSE Grade C/4 or above in English & Maths
• Basic IT skills
• A team player with a flexible, can‑do attitude
• Able to build strong, supportive relationships with children
• Confident, resilient and proactive
• Strong communication and negotiation skills
• High expectations for pupil progress and behaviour
• Willingness to undertake training and develop professionally

About us

Our new Acorn School – Manor Wood School in Bishopsworth, Bristol has a capacity for 80 pupils and opened in May 2025. The school is a co‑educational provision for pupils with complex needs including SEMH.

We are proud to provide a supportive yet challenging learning environment where every pupil has the opportunity to develop their full potential – whether academically, vocationally, in sports, or through personal achievements.

As an inclusive school, we offer a broad and balanced curriculum tailored to each child’s unique needs. This personalised approach enables every pupil to progress at their own pace while building the skills and confidence to meet future challenges.

We are part of Acorn Education and can offer plenty of challenges along with a wide range of opportunities to develop your career. Acorn Education is the UK’s leading provider of specialist education for children and young people with special educational needs. As part of Outcomes First Group, we are leading our sector in creating and delivering innovative approaches that achieve measurable outcomes for those in our care.

We are really proud to say that in 2024, Outcomes First Group were officially certified as a ‘Great Place to Work’ for the fifth year running.

Why join Acorn Education?

We place the outcomes of the pupils in our services at the heart of everything we do, so you’ll wake every day in the knowledge that your role will have a significant positive impact on the lives of others.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of pupils. All applicants will be subject to social media checks and successful applicants to a fully enhanced DBS.

Benefits

• Life Assurance
• Pension scheme with options to increase your contribution
• “Your Wellbeing Matters” – access to a wide range of first‑class mental health support services and physical health checks
• 100’s of discount options valid in the UK and abroad
• Cycle to Work Schemes
• Electric Car Purchase Scheme
• Critical illness cover
• Family Growth Support — inclusive benefits package covering enhanced maternity and paternity leave, along with paid fertility treatment support.

We reserve the right to close the vacancy early if we receive a high volume of suitable applications.

Outcomes First Group is committed to carrying out a fair, thorough and efficient recruitment process in line with Keeping Children Safe in Education. Whilst we aim to keep applicants informed throughout, Outcomes First Group does not accept liability for any loss of earnings or other associated costs incurred by applicants as a result of delays or changes in the compliance process. All stages of the compliance process are subject to necessary safeguarding checks and compliance with statutory requirements, which may affect timescales.