Learning Support Assistant

Nicholas Breakspear Catholic School; Tyttenhanger; On-site; GBP 26,000 - 27,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Fringe allowance

Term-time schedule

Job summary

Nicholas Breakspear Catholic School invites applications for Learning Support Assistants to join a friendly, experienced team supporting pupils with SEND, EAL and other vulnerable groups. Candidates should be confident, caring, and able to form positive relationships with young people.

You will be asked to answer specific questions in the personal statement section. The role involves working 32.5 hours per week during term time plus inset days, with a salary of £25,583 to £25,989 plus a fringe

Qualifications

• Experience working in secondary education.
• Experience with pupils with SEND.
• Knowledge of the SEN Code of Practice.
• Knowledge of safeguarding policies and procedures in schools.
• Able to work collaboratively with other adults and triangulate data to inform priorities.
• Experience handling sensitive and confidential issues.
• Experience using school systems (ClassCharts, Arbor).
• Ability to build positive relationships with pupils and their families.

Responsibilities

• Support pupils and staff to raise standards and achievement.
• Assist with SEND, EAL and vulnerable groups.
• Contribute to inclusive practice and pupil care.
• Support safeguarding and welfare arrangements as part of the school team.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Patience

Team player

Good humour

Tools

ClassCharts

Arbor

Job description

Due to continued growth in our number of pupils with need, we are seeking to appoint additional Learning Support Assistants who will join our friendly and experienced team to provide support to our pupils and staff to raise standards and achievement for all pupils, for example SEND, EAL and all vulnerable groups., We welcome visits from prospective staff.

Successful candidates should be confident and caring with good interpersonal skills and experience. The ability to form positive relationships with young people and to approach all tasks with patience and good humour is essential., Nicholas Breakspear Catholic School would like all candidates to answer specific questions for the personal statement section. For reference, here is a preview of the questions/headings:

1. 1. Do you have experience working in secondary education?
2. 2. Do you have experience in working with pupils with SEND?
3. 3. Do you have knowledge of the SEN Code of Practice
4. 4. Do you have knowledge of safeguarding policies and procedures in schools
5. 5. Able to work collaboratively with other adults, contributing to a solution focussed approach, triangulating data from a range of sources (e.g. assessment, observation, pupil voice) in order to review and inform future priorities
6. 6. Do you have experience in dealing with sensitive and confidential issues
7. 7. Do have any experience working with school systems, eg ClassCharts, and Arbor
8. 8. Are you skilled at making and sustaining positive relationships with young people and their families
9. 9. Do you have experience of working in a team?
10. 10. Please tell us why you feel you are the best candidate for this role.

Salary: FTE time = £25,583 - £25,989 + £729 fringe allowance per annum (paid pro-rata for part-time employees)

Hours: 32.5 hours per week

Weeks: Term time only plus insets (39 weeks)

Times: 8:10am - 3:10pm Monday - Friday

Annual Leave: 5.6 weeks paid annual leave - to be taken during school holiday periods

The School's latest Ofsted inspection in November 2023 rated Nicholas Breakspear Catholic School as 'Outstanding'.

The School's recent Catholic Schools Inspectorate Section 48 Inspection in March 2023 rated Nicholas Breakspear Catholic School as 'Outstanding'.

Nicholas Breakspear is a vibrant, nurturing and ambitious school. Situated on the outskirts of St Albans the school benefits from large spacious grounds and close links to London. This role provides an excellent opportunity for someone to join a school which values inclusivity and kindness and which allows children to flourish and grow in confidence. The 2026 GCSE results place the school in the top 7% of schools nationally.

Nicholas Breakspear is a member of the Diocese of Westminster Academy Trust (DOWAT). We work together with the other schools in the trust to share best practice and to promote the development of staff and students. DOWAT is recognised as being in the top 3% of academy trusts in the country. DOWAT and Nicholas Breakspear are fully committed to providing equal opportunities for all employees, workers, job applicants and pupils, and to eliminating unlawful and unfair discrimination. It aims to create a culture that encourages and values diversity, and that appoints, rewards and promotes staff based on merit.

Nicholas Breakspear is a Catholic school and we place great emphasis on the gospel values of Truth, Justice, Peace and Love. 'Pupils at Nicholas Breakspear Catholic School receive an exemplary education. They are cared for deeply by all school staff. Pupils also show a high level of mutual care and respect for one another'. All pupils are unwaveringly polite, kind, confident and thoughtful.