Learning Support Assistants

Harry Watts Academy; Sunderland; On-site; GBP 18,000 - 21,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Real Living Wage

CPD opportunities

Employee wellbeing support

Pension schemes

Eye tests

Job summary

Harry Watts Academy in Sunderland is seeking Learning Support Assistants to join their dedicated and professional team. You will assist in classroom tasks under the direction of the teacher and respond to pupils' social, emotional and physical needs.

GCSEs in Maths and English and relevant transferable experience are required. A clear understanding of the Special Needs Assistant role is essential, with permanent, part-time hours (33.5 per week) during term time plus training days.

Qualifications

• GCSEs Grade C+/4+ (or equivalent) in Maths and English.
• Relevant transferable experience, e.g. working with children in education, health or care settings.
• Clear understanding of the Special Needs Assistant's role.

Responsibilities

• Assist in providing classroom support duties under the direction of the teacher, and respond to pupils' social, emotional and physical needs.
• Help maintain high expectations of pupil achievement and behave as part of a team.
• Support learning across the three pathways on site and contribute to a welcoming learning environment.

Skills

Transferable experience

SNA role understanding

Positive attitude

Education

GCSEs in Maths & English

Job description

Learning Support Assistants

Harry Watts Academy, Sunderland, Tyne and Wear, SR5 5JA

12 days remaining to apply

As soon as possible

16 October 2026

Job details

Job role

• Learning support or cover supervisor

Visa sponsorship

Visas cannot be sponsored

Working pattern

Part time: 33.5 hours per week, term time + 5 additional training days

Contract type

Permanent

What skills and experience we're looking for

This role is perfect for positive and professional individuals with:

• GCSEs Grade C+/4+ (or equivalent) in Maths and English
• Relevant transferable experience, for example: working with children in education, health or care settings
• A clear understanding of the Special Needs Assistant's role

What the school offers its staff

The Trust is proud to say that we match the Real Living Wage and we also offer successful candidates:

• A friendly and supportive team of staff who are willing to share expertise and learn from one another
• Opportunities for career development and support with development through Trust wide Continuing Professional Development (CPD) programmes
• Access to an Employee Assistance Programme and support from the Trust's Wellbeing Network Group
• Access to either Teacher's Pension or Local Government Pension Scheme, each with favourable employer contribution rates
• Employee centred policies that support you in and beyond the workplace
• Funded eye tests for DSE users (subject to T/Cs)

Further information about the job

The candidate will be required to undergo a full enhanced DBS check and must be eligible to work in the UK.

Are you enthusiastic about making a difference in young people's lives?

Harry Watts Academy is looking to appoint Learning Support Assistants to join their dedicated and professional team.

This role is perfect for positive and professional individuals with:

• GCSEs Grade C+/4+ (or equivalent) in Maths and English
• Relevant transferable experience, for example: working with children in education, health or care settings
• A clear understanding of the Special Needs Assistant's role

As a valued member of our team, you will:

• Assist in providing classroom support duties, including curriculum related tasks under the direction of the teacher, and responding to pupil's social, emotional and physical needs
• Have high expectations of pupil achievement
• Be able to work constructively as part of a team

Sound like the role for you? Read on!

Please refer to the attached person specification and job description for full details of the requirements of the role.

Harry Watts Academy is a specialist free school in Sunderland opened in September 2020 for autistic pupils aged between five and sixteen years. We pride ourselves on having a shared belief that all children have a right to the best education that can be provided and a learning and working environment where all are respected, valued and achievements celebrated.

Harry Watts Academy is a split site school, with locations in both Sunderland (Redhouse) and Washington (Harraton). Currently, our Engage and Explore pathways are based at Redhouse and our Discover pathway is based at Harraton. You will therefore be willing to support the teaching and learning of pupils on any of our three pathways on either of our sites.

To learn more about Harry Watts Academy and Prosper Learning Trust, please visit our websites.

Prosper Learning Trust was established in January 2018 to help vulnerable young people succeed against the odds. Four core values underpin everything we do as a Trust, these are Aspiration, Integrity, Resilience and Kindness. We are looking for staff who share those values and want to support our young people.

The Trust currently have 5 schools in the region:

• Newcastle Bridges School - Alternative Provision academy offering education to pupils unable to access mainstream school due to medical needs including hospitalised children and young people (3-19 years)
• Mary Astell Academy - Alternative Provision academy offering education to permanently excluded pupils and pupils who are struggling in mainstream school (11-16 years)
• Thomas Bewick Special School - Special School academy for pupils with a diagnosis of autism (3-19 years)
• Harry Watts Academy - Special School academy for pupils with a diagnosis of autism (5-16 years)
• Gilbert Ward Academy - Special School academy for pupils with SEMH or a diagnosis of autism (11-16 years)

The successful candidate will be deployed initially at Harry Watts Academy but will be expected to work at any Prosper Learning Trust site should the need arise.

Benefits of working for Prosper Learning Trust

The Trust is proud to say that we match the Real Living Wage and we also offer successful candidates:

• A friendly and supportive team of staff who are willing to share expertise and learn from one another
• Opportunities for career development and support with development through Trust wide Continuing Professional Development (CPD) programmes
• Access to an Employee Assistance Programme and support from the Trust's Wellbeing Network Group
• Access to either Teacher's Pension or Local Government Pension Scheme, each with favourable employer contribution rates
• Employee centred policies that support you in and beyond the workplace
• Funded eye tests for DSE users (subject to T/Cs)

For more information on why we think you should work for us see our Trust website, where you will also find videos of what our current staff think.

Commitment to safeguarding

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

Our recruitment process follows the keeping children safe in education guidance.

Offers of employment may be subject to the following checks (where relevant):
childcare disqualification
Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS)
medical
online and social media
prohibition from teaching
right to work
satisfactory references
suitability to work with children

You must tell us about any unspent conviction, cautions, reprimands or warnings under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975.

We aim to support all of our pupils to achieve and develop in all aspects of their life through our exciting and challenging whole school curriculum. Our ethos is to promote Support and Success Together and we firmly believe that knowing each pupil as an individual is a vital element in supporting their growth and development, within a carefully personalised programme of learning. We could not do this without the ongoing excellent support and joint working with families, professionals and all stakeholders associated with Harry Watts Academy.

Harry Watts Academy is a specialist academy for pupils aged 5 to 16 years. All of our pupils have a diagnosis of Autistic Spectrum Condition (ASC) and complex learning difficulties and a respective Education Health and Care Plan (EHCP). Essential to their growth is our ASC specific environment and our dedicated multi disciplinary staff team, who are highly skilled and trained in ASC specific strategies and delivery.

Our school is a community where everyone feels safe and secure, valued and respected and where we have a shared commitment to providing the very best learning opportunities possible. We have the highest expectations and aspirations for all of our learners and continually seek to develop and grow, in order to ensure that their goals, dreams and potential are realised.

Primrose Lane, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, NE13 9FR