Learning Support Assistant

Swalcliffe Park School; Greater London; On-site; GBP 26,000 - 27,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

13 weeks' holiday to be taken in scho​

NEST Pension Scheme

Sickness entitlement 2 weeks full pay

Job summary

Swalcliffe Park School in Oxfordshire seeks a Learning Support Assistant to help secondary-age boys on the autism spectrum access learning, build independence and participate in school and community activities.

You will work within a Key Stage team, supporting individuals and groups, with opportunities for training and career development in a residential specialist education environment that includes paid school holidays and term-time cycles.

Qualifications

• GCSE English Language and Mathematics at Grade 4/C or above (or equivalent).
• Experience of working with young people in an educational or youth/community setting.
• Strong interpersonal and teamwork skills with a student-centred approach.
• Awareness of safeguarding, confidentiality, and professional boundaries.
• IT proficiency, including Word, Excel and email.
• Full UK driving licence, with eligibility and willingness to drive school vehicles (subject to insurance).

Responsibilities

• Support learning, independence and social inclusion in the classroom and groups.
• Assist with homework, revision and exam access arrangements.
• Observe behaviour and learning styles to inform targets and progress data.
• Support literacy interventions and data collection; maintain records.
• Support community and off-site programmes; drive school transport if required.
• Act as key worker for nominated students and communicate with families.
• Safeguarding, health and safety, and safe-working procedures.
• Collaborate with teachers, therapists and residential staff.
• Supervise breaks and school events; provide cover for absences.
• Participate in mentoring, appraisal and training to develop autism support.

Skills

Strong interpersonal skills

Teamwork

IT proficiency (Word, Excel, email)

Full UK driving licence

Education

GCSE English and Maths (4/C or above)

Job description

Learning Support Assistant - Key Stage 3-5

Join Swalcliffe Park School's supportive specialist education team helping secondary-age students learn, build independence and access opportunities in school and the community. You'll need experience in education or youth/community work and strong teamwork skills. If you've also worked in the following roles, we'd also like to hear from you: Teaching Assistant, SEN Teaching Assistant, Classroom Assistant, Learning Mentor, Student Support Officer, Pastoral Support Officer, Pastoral Support Worker, SEN Support Assistant

Salary

£26,016 to £26,847 per annum Actual (NJC Scp 4-6)

Benefits

• Generous Holiday (13 weeks' paid holiday to be taken in school holidays)
• NEST Pension Scheme
• Sickness entitlement 2 weeks full pay 2 weeks half pay and free lunchtime meal

Location

Swalcliffe, Nr Banbury, Oxfordshire (OX15)

Job Type

Full-Time, Term-Time, Permanent

Working Hours

37.5 Hours per Week, 39 Weeks Term Time

Job Overview

Make a meaningful contribution to students' learning, independence and inclusion in a supportive specialist education environment. Swalcliffe Park School provides specialist residential education and care for around 70-75 secondary aged boys (10-19 yrs) all of whom are on the Autism Spectrum. We offer excellent working conditions in a beautiful environment, including paid school holidays, opportunities for career development and staff training. Working within a Key Stage team, the Learning Support Assistant helps individuals and groups access classroom, community and off‑site learning while contributing to progress, safeguarding and wellbeing. The Learning Support Assistant works closely with teachers, therapists, senior leaders and residential colleagues, with opportunities to build skills through training and development. Across school life, the Learning Support Assistant also supports families, reporting, key-working and the smooth running of education provision.

Duties

• Student Learning Support: Work effectively with individuals and groups in the classroom, supporting learning, independence and social inclusion
• Homework, Revision and Exams: Support homework, assignments, revision and exam access arrangements
• Observation and Target Setting: Observe behaviour and learning styles to inform targets and student support
• Interventions and Data: Support teacher, therapist and literacy interventions, collect progress data and maintain records on school systems
• Community and Off‑Site Access: Support learning in the community and off‑site programmes, including driving school transport where required
• Key Worker Support: Act as key worker for nominated students and support communication with families
• Safeguarding and Safety: Follow safeguarding, child protection, health and safety, risk assessment and safe‑working procedures
• Multi‑Disciplinary Working: Work collaboratively with teachers, therapists, residential colleagues and other professionals
• School Operations: Supervise break and lunchtime, support whole‑school events and provide cover for absent colleagues
• Professional Development: Take part in mentoring, appraisal and training, maintaining knowledge relevant to autism support

Candidate Requirements

Essential

• GCSE English Language and Mathematics at Grade 4/C or above (or equivalent)
• Experience of working with young people in an educational or youth/community setting
• Strong interpersonal and teamwork skills with a student‑centred approach
• Awareness of safeguarding, confidentiality, and professional boundaries
• IT proficiency, including Word, Excel and email
• Full UK driving licence, with eligibility and willingness to drive school vehicles (subject to insurance)

Desirable

• Experience of working with children, young people and/or adults with autism and associated language or communication difficulties
• Experience supporting pupils with Education, Health and Care Plans
• Experience applying safeguarding policies and procedures
• Knowledge of EHC plans, person‑centred support, safeguarding, health and safety, data protection, equality and diversity

The school reserves the right to close the advertisement early, should it receive sufficient applications prior to the closing date.

This school is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. The successful candidate will be expected to undertake an enhanced disclosure.

We are an equal opportunities employer.

Job Ref

AWDO-P15226

This job is being advertised by AWD online on behalf of Swalcliffe Park School.