Learning Support Assistant (Term-Time)

Blossom House School; Guildford; On-site; GBP 27,108 - 29,700; Full time

Job summary

Blossom House School in Guildford is looking for a Learning Support Assistant to support students with special educational needs in a nurturing environment. This permanent, term-time only position will require resilience, enthusiasm, and the ability to build strong relationships with children and staff.

You will assist in maintaining the learning environment and implementing strategies for communication and sensory needs. A passion for fostering positive behavior and experience with children on the autism spectrum is essential.

Qualifications

• Supporting students can be challenging; mental and physical resilience are necessary.
• Clear written and spoken English with good reading, writing, and numeracy skills.
• Ability to function independently.

Responsibilities

• Assist the class teacher with general pupil self-care and administration.
• Provide dedicated 1:1 support as needed.
• Implement strategies for students' communication and sensory needs.

Skills

Confidence

Enthusiasm for learning

Excellent English skills

Experience with Special Education Needs (SEN)

Ability to manage behavior

Mental resilience

Job description

Learning Support Assistant

Permanent, term‑time only role. Monday to Friday (08:30‑17:00). Approximately 36 teaching weeks per year. No working required during school holidays. Salary: £27,008 – £29,700 pro rata, depending on experience (£23,150 – £25,457 for term time, 36 weeks pa). Start: September 2026.

What the role involves

The role involves supporting children and assisting the class teacher and therapists with general pupil self‑care, maintaining the learning environment and assisting with administration. You may be required to provide ad‑hoc or dedicated 1:1 support to specific children and also to provide whole‑class support in lessons under the direction of the Teacher or Therapist. You will be supported to implement strategies to support the students’ communication and sensory needs and in the management of challenging behaviours that frequently present within this cohort.

The FARM provision

The FARM provision supports pupils from secondary and post 16 and delivers a creative and innovative curriculum, which empowers all young people to make progress in their learning.

It is designed to teach and motivate students who have particular needs, and will learn in a specialised learning environment, with particular emphasis on the use of the outdoors. The curriculum is designed to meet the needs of the students and prepare them well for the next stage in their life.

The FARM curriculum allows students to experience a life‑based curriculum with learning beginning when they arrive at the farm, developing their self‑help skills across a wide variety of learning activities set in real‑life situations. The curriculum is intent on building individual life skills to allow the young person to live as independently as possible and experience a rich quality of life.

The FARM curriculum focuses on developing skills in the four priority objectives for life: Happy, Healthy, Fulfilled and Safe.

Ideal candidate will have

• Supporting students can be challenging; mental and physical resilience are necessary for all staff.
• Confidence, enthusiasm and a passion for learning.
• An ability and confidence to function independently as required.
• Excellent English skills (clear written and spoken English) along with good reading, writing and numeracy skills.
• The ability to build good working relationships with children, teachers, parents and carers. Experience of working with children with Special Education Needs (SEN), particularly children on the Autism Spectrum in the age group 3 – 11.
• Experience of providing personal self‑care support to pupils will be an advantage.
• The ability to manage a small group of children with complex social communication needs with patience and empathy.
• The ability to promote positive behaviour in a nurturing environment is essential.

Position is subject to the relevant Safeguarding checks, which will include an Enhanced DBS check and other vetting.