Learning Support Assistant

Teaching Vacancies; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 21,000 - 25,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

On-site gym

Employee assistance programme

Flexible PPA arrangements

Staff wellbeing activities

Job summary

St John Bosco College is seeking an able Learning Support Assistant to join our inclusive Catholic school community. You will support students with SEN across the school, delivering 1:1 and small-group assistance, and help develop literacy and communication skills to raise attainment.

The role requires strong interpersonal skills, calm and patient communication, and reliability. Previous experience with Autism and secondary-aged students is desirable.

Qualifications

• Experience supporting students with SEN
• Strong literacy and numeracy skills
• Good interpersonal skills and calm, patient communication
• Experience with Autism and secondary-aged students is desirable

Responsibilities

• Support students with SEN in mainstream classrooms on a 1:1 basis and in small groups
• Develop students' independent learning, social and emotional regulation skills
• Contribute to a supportive inclusive school environment
• Assist with literacy and communication development across the school

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Autism support experience

Literacy skills

Numeracy skills

SEN support

Secondary education experience

Job description

What skills and experience we're looking for

St John Bosco College are looking to appoint an able, highly motivated, enthusiastic and innovative Learning Support Assistant (LSA) to join our supportive, passionate and dedicated team of professionals. Our mission is based around ‘without confidence and love, there can be no true education’.

We are therefore looking for candidates who are committed to securing high standards and raising academic attainment for all students with special educational needs. As an LSA you will lead on the development of students’ literacy and communication skills and contribute to the supportive environment that we aim to provide in our Inclusive school.

The main responsibilities of the LSA role will be to support those students with SEN needs across the school. The role will include supporting students in the mainstream classroom on a 1:1 basis and in small groups, developing their independent learning, social and emotional regulation skills.

Applications are invited from those with good interpersonal skills and experience in supporting young people with Autism. Previous experience of supporting secondary aged students with SEN needs would be desirable but is not essential.

You must also have good literacy and numeracy skills and be committed and reliable, with excellent communication skills along with a calm, patient and empathetic nature.

What the school offers its staff

Our Commitment to Staff Wellbeing

At SJBC, we’re building a school that values its staff just as much as its students.

OUR CULTURE AND ETHOS

• A proud, diverse and inclusive Catholic school making a real difference to the lives of our students
• A strong RUAH ethos (Respect, Understanding, Affection and Humour) – our culture is rooted in family, belonging and mutual respect
• Part of a worldwide Salesian network of schools – sharing values, mission and support
• A clear behaviour policy built on our values and consistently upheld
• Staff voice matters – we actively consult on wellbeing, workload, curriculum, systems and student experience
• Staff are celebrated on merit – regular recognition of the difference they make
• All SLT teach – modelling shared responsibility and understanding

WORKLOAD AND SYSTEMS THAT RESPECT STAFF TIME

• We promote working smarter, not harder – focusing on purposeful systems
• A streamlined marking policy – teachers do not mark every book; we prioritise impact over quantity
• Weekly department meetings built into the timetable – no late evenings
• PPA allowance of 17% including CPD and Departmental time in school hours, enabling teachers to plan high-quality lessons
• Only 2 break duties and 1 lunch duty per week – fair, balanced and manageable
• Centralised detention system for homework and lateness – led by the pastoral team, not individual teachers

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT THAT MAKES A DIFFERENCE

• A bespoke coaching programme for every staff member
• CPD rooted in the SSAT Embedding Formative Assessment model – focused, practical and high-impact
• Weekly CPD time built into the school day – no need for regular after-school sessions
• Just 8 twilight CPD sessions scheduled across the whole year
• Accredited at Bronze by the TDT’s Building Expert Schools programme - independently verified for excellence in professional learning.
• Governors can financially support post-graduate studies ( up to 25%) for courses directly related to improving student outcomes or experience

FLEXIBILITY AND WELLBEING

• Flexible PPA arrangements – staff can request a late start or early finish once a week to work from home
• Access to a free, confidential Employee Assistance Programme – 24/7 professional counselling and advice
• On-site gym – free for staff use
• A programme of staff social activities promoting wellbeing and a real sense of community led by an experienced staff wellbeing coordinator
• Trained Mental Health practitioners and MH first aiders available to support staff wellbeing
• Chaplaincy team that supports staff and students and dedicated spaces for quiet prayer and/or reflection for those that want it

Come and belong. Be part of a team where your time, talent and wellbeing truly matter.

Commitment to safeguarding

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.