Learning Support Assistant

Acorn Care and Education; Heathfield; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

An independent special school in Heathfield is seeking a compassionate Learning Support Assistant. This role involves supporting pupils with additional learning needs in a nurturing environment. The ideal candidate will foster positive relationships and aid in creating engaging lessons. The position offers a 4-Day Working Week for full-time pay, with additional benefits including life assurance and a pension scheme. Join a dedicated team committed to making a significant impact on the lives of young people.

Benefits

Life Assurance

Pension scheme

Flexible Benefits Platform

Mental health support services

Cycle to Work Schemes

Qualifications

• Compassionate and dedicated to supporting pupils with SEMH needs.
• Ability to create a safe and nurturing environment.
• Experience in an SEN/ASC environment preferred but not essential.

Responsibilities

• Support pupils in the classroom, working 1:1 or in small groups.
• Prepare learning materials and create engaging lessons.
• Build positive relationships with pupils to promote independence.

Skills

Calm, engaging, and resilient

Teamwork

Motivated by student growth

Education

Teaching Assistant Level 2 or 3

NVQ Health and Social Care Level 2 or 3

Full UK Driving Licence

Job description

How would you like to get paid for five days, but only work four? At Outcomes First Group, we believe in better work/life balance — and we’re putting wellbeing first. That’s why we’re proud to be part of a 4-Day Working Week (4DWW) trial, where you can work one day less each week (or equivalent hours), while still receiving your full-time pay. Many of our schools have already introduced the 4DWW — and others are preparing to roll it out as soon as they reach full staffing. So whether it’s already in place or just around the corner, now’s the perfect time to join #teamOFG.

Job title: Learning Support Assistant
Location: The Greater Horseshoe School, Heathfield, TQ12 6RH
Salary: £22,160.62 per annum (not pro rata)
Hours: 37.5 hours per week
Rota: Monday 8:30–15:45 | Tuesday 8:30–17:00 | Wednesday–Friday 8:30–15:45
Contract: Permanent | Term Time Only
Start: December 2025
UK applicants only — this role does not offer sponsorship.

About the Role

As part of our continued growth, The Greater Horseshoe School is seeking compassionate and dedicated Learning Support Assistants to join our specialist team. In this rewarding role, you’ll support pupils with SEMH and additional learning needs, helping them thrive academically, socially, and emotionally. You’ll play a vital role in creating a safe, structured, and nurturing environment where every young person feels valued, understood, and empowered to reach their full potential.

Working alongside our talented teachers, you’ll provide vital support in the classroom, working 1:1 or in small groups, preparing learning materials, and helping to create engaging, creative, and inclusive lessons. You’ll also play a key role in building positive relationships with pupils, fostering interaction, and promoting independence.

What We're Looking For

We’re looking for someone who is:

• Calm, engaging, and resilient.
• Able to work well as part of a team.
• Motivated by seeing pupils achieve and grow.
• Open to learning new skills and approaches.
• Experience working with children in an SEN/ASC environment would be an advantage, but it’s not essential. If you bring excellent support skills, the right personal qualities, and a genuine passion for helping pupils reach their full potential, we’ll provide you with the training and development you need to succeed.
• These roles are also a fantastic fit for people with experience in customer‑facing industries such as retail, hospitality, or leisure who are looking for a new career that’s both meaningful and rewarding.

Qualifications (Desirable)

• Teaching Assistant Level 2 or 3
• NVQ Health and Social Care Level 2 or 3
• Full UK Driving Licence (mandatory)

About Us

The Greater Horseshoe School is an independent special school for pupils aged 8 to 18 years old. The school is situated in a peaceful woodland setting near Newton Abbot in Devon. Our school facilities are complemented by our nearby care farm, where we offer animal care, horticulture and a wide range of outdoor educational activities alongside academic and vocational programmes.

We are committed to providing the best education for pupils with complex needs. We offer a unique tailored programme for every pupil, combining a therapeutic approach, outdoor learning and individual academic and vocational programmes to suit each student. Everything that we do is based on thoroughly understanding the needs of our students and how we can best support them in achieving positive outcomes.

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 2025, Outcomes First Group were officially certified as a ‘Great Place to Work’ for the sixth year running.

Why join Acorn Education?

We place the outcomes of the pupils and vulnerable young adults 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 and young people. All applicants will be subject to social media checks and successful applicants to a fully enhanced DBS.

Benefits

Your health and wellbeing are important to us, so you’ll get an exceptional reward package including:

• Life Assurance
• Pension scheme with options to increase your contributions
• “Your Wellbeing Matters” – access to a wide range of first‑class mental health support services and physical health checks
• A market‑leading benefit offering through our Flexible Benefits Platform, Vista, enables you to choose the package that’s right for you, including:
• A wide range of health, wellbeing, and insurance benefits
• 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.

*You’ll work 80% of your contractual hours for 100% of your pay, giving you more time to do the things that make you happy. 4DWW is subject to successful completion of probation and is not a contractual benefit

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