Librarian/Emotional Literacy Support Assistant

Point 13 Jobs; Winchester; On-site; GBP 25,000 - 32,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

School lunch

Workplace pension (DC)

Job summary

The Pilgrims’ School is seeking a Librarian/Emotional Literacy Support Assistant to lead the school library and provide targeted wellbeing support to pupils with additional needs.

You will manage the library day-to-day, promote reading for pleasure, curate resources for the English department, and deliver 1:1 and small group emotional literacy interventions. The role is permanent and term-time only.

Qualifications

• Experience with children in educational/pastoral/library settings.
• Willingness to complete ELSA training if not already qualified.
• Strong understanding of child development and emotional wellbeing.

Responsibilities

• Manage day-to-day operation of the school library and create an inclusive learning environment.
• Promote a reading culture and prioritise reading for pleasure.
• Oversee cataloguing, stock selection and library systems; supervise pupil Library Assistants.
• Support English and curriculum with curated library resources.
• Provide targeted emotional literacy and wellbeing interventions (1:1 and small groups).
• Maintain confidential records of interventions and pupil progress.
• Liaise with wellbeing and teaching staff to safeguard and advocate pupil welfare.
• Provide a safe, supportive environment for pupils.
• Design and review interventions and report progress to staff and parents.
• Support staff in embedding literacy across the curriculum.

Skills

Experience with children

ELSA qualification

Child development knowledge

Reading for pleasure

Literacy support

Interpersonal skills

Organisation & admin

Team collaboration

Communication with parents

Safeguarding commitment

Education

ELSA training/qualification

Job description

The Pilgrims’ School - one of the UK’s leading prep schools for boys aged 4-13 (recently merged with Winchester College) – is looking for a Librarian/Emotional Literacy Support Assistant to lead the day-to-day management of the school library while providing targeted pastoral and emotional literacy support to pupils with special needs.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage the day-to-day operation of the school library as a welcoming, inclusive, and well-ordered learning environment.
• Promote a strong reading culture across the school, with a particular emphasis on reading for pleasure.
• Manage the library collection, including stock selection, cataloguing, organisation, and review.
• Oversee library systems and lending procedures, and train and supervise pupil Library Assistants where applicable.
• Support the English department and wider curriculum areas through carefully curated and relevant library resources.
• Act as a caseworker for a small number of pupils with identified social, emotional, or wellbeing needs.
• Design, deliver, and review targeted emotional literacy and wellbeing interventions (1:1 and small group) across the school age range.
• Maintain clear, accurate, and confidential records of interventions and pupil progress, in line with data protection requirements.
• Provide a safe, consistent, and supportive environment for pupils.
• Liaise closely with the Director of Wellbeing (DSL), Deputy Head (Pupil Development), Heads of Section, Head of Learning Support, tutors, and teaching staff, including the Head of Pre-Prep where appropriate.

Skills and Experience

• Experience of working with children in an educational, pastoral, or library setting.
• Training or qualification as an Emotional Literacy Support Assistant (ELSA), or willingness to complete the training.
• Strong understanding of child development, emotional wellbeing, and behaviour.
• Demonstrable enthusiasm for reading and strong knowledge of children’s and young people’s literature.
• Experience of supporting literacy and reading development.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, emotional intelligence, and the ability to build positive relationships with pupils.
• Strong organisational and administrative skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively within a multidisciplinary team.
• Confidence in communicating effectively with parents.
• Clear commitment to safeguarding, pupil welfare, and the ethos of the school.
• Workplace pension scheme (defined contribution).
• School lunch.

Contract: Permanent, term time only (34 weeks per year)