Learning Support Assistant

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

Job summary

A dedicated educational institution in Gunnislake seeks a Learning Support Assistant to support students with special educational needs. The ideal candidate is compassionate, patient, and motivated to help children achieve their full potential. Responsibilities include supporting pupils during lessons and creating engaging learning materials. This permanent, term-time role offers a salary of £20,906.25 per annum and requires a commitment to safeguarding.

Benefits

Life Assurance

Pension scheme

Mental health support services

Discount options

Cycle to Work Scheme

Enhanced maternity/paternity leave

Qualifications

• Dedicated and compassionate individual eager to support children with special educational needs.
• Willingness to learn and adapt to new situations.

Responsibilities

• Support individual pupils or small groups in and outside the classroom.
• Prepare engaging learning materials.
• Foster positive relationships to encourage interaction.
• Assist teachers with lesson planning.
• Create a safe, calm space for pupils.

Skills

Compassion

Patience

Teamwork

Communication

Job description

Overview

Job Title: Learning Support Assistant

Location: Copper Fields School, Gunnislake PL18 9EH

Salary: £20,906.25 per annum (not pro rata)

Hours: 37.5 hours per week | Monday 8.30am-5.00pm | Tuesday to Friday 8.30am-3.45pm

Contract: Permanent, Term Time Only

Start Date: November 2025

UK applicants only. This role does not offer sponsorship.

As part of our continued growth, Copper Fields School, part of Options Autism, is excited to offer a fantastic opportunity to join our close-knit, passionate team as a Learning Support Assistant.

About the Role

We are looking for a dedicated and compassionate Learning Support Assistant (LSA) to join our team and play a vital role in supporting teachers as they deliver creative and personalised learning experiences tailored to each pupil’s unique educational needs. You will help pupils reach their full potential—academically, emotionally, and personally—by contributing to a nurturing and inclusive learning environment.

This opportunity is ideal for someone who is either starting out or looking to grow their career in education, particularly within the fields of Special Educational Needs (SEN) or Autism Spectrum Conditions (ASC). You will work closely with pupils who have a range of complex needs, in a setting that places a strong emphasis on pupil wellbeing, safeguarding, and the importance of pupil voice.

Your day-to-day responsibilities will include:

• Supporting individual pupils or small groups both within and outside the classroom
• Helping to prepare engaging learning materials
• Fostering positive relationships that encourage interaction and progress
• Assisting teachers with lesson planning and delivery when needed
• Helping create a calm, safe space where every pupil feels supported and empowered to thrive

Who We’re Looking For

We welcome applications from people with a variety of backgrounds. While prior experience working in SEN/ASC is advantageous, it’s not essential. What matters is your motivation, resilience, and desire to make a difference.

This role may suit you if you're currently working in:

• Retail, hospitality, or other customer-facing roles and looking for a meaningful career change
• A school or care setting and want to deepen your impact
• Or if you are just beginning your journey into education and are ready to learn and grow

You’ll Be:

• Compassionate, calm, and patient
• Resilient and adaptable to changing situations
• A strong team player with good communication skills
• Motivated by helping young people achieve their potential

About Us

Copper Fields School provides full-time specialist co-education for up to 60 pupils aged 4-16, who have a primary need of Autism Spectrum, communication and language and often additional needs.

Our vision to empower our learners to achieve their best outcomes is achieved through high quality education, in preparation for life. Our setting in Gunnislake facilitates a nurturing approach for students who have found the mainstream environment unable to meet their needs. We pride ourselves on our culture of everyone being a unique individual. Together we achieve, through recognising and harnessing our strengths. We aim to unearth hidden talents and interests, inspire and empower.

For over 16 years Options Autism have provided care and education to pupils and adults with autism, complex needs and learning difficulties. As part of Outcomes First Group, we are leading our sector in setting and delivering new approaches that provide measurable outcomes for those in our care.

We are 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 Options Autism?

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

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
• Vista Flexible Benefits Platform with: health, wellbeing and insurance benefits; hundreds of discount options; Cycle to Work Scheme; Electric Car Purchase Scheme; Critical illness cover; Family Growth Support including enhanced maternity/paternity leave and 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.*

Outcomes First Group is committed to carrying out a fair, thorough and efficient recruitment process in line with Keeping Children Safe in Education. While 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.