SEND Team Learning Support Assistant (Temporary)

Shorefields; Colchester; Hybrid; GBP 7,800 - 8,800; Part time

Job summary

St Teresa's Catholic Primary School in Colchester is seeking a Learning Support Assistant to join our SEND team. The role supports pupils with SEMH and autism/ADHD, helping them access learning and develop confidence in reading, writing and mathematics.

The position runs 9:00am–1:30pm, Monday to Friday during term time, with start date as soon as possible. This Catholic school emphasises inclusion, safeguarding, and a caring ethos in a supportive team environment.

Qualifications

• Experience supporting primary-aged children, preferably including SEND/SEMH needs.
• Knowledge of EBSA or willingness to develop expertise in this area.
• Understanding of emotional literacy and helping children recognise and regulate emotions.
• Ability to support academic learning in reading, writing and mathematics.

Responsibilities

• Build trusting, positive relationships with pupils and foster a sense of belonging.
• Support pupils with anxiety or emotional needs to access whole-class teaching.
• Provide academic mentoring and help pupils rebuild confidence in reading, writing and maths.
• Support curriculum engagement and promote independence and resilience.

Skills

SEND experience

SEMH experience

Emotional literacy

Reading support

Job description

Job Ref No. ECC3321-196S Position Type: Teaching/Child Support Pay Range: Scale 3 Point 6-7

Position Start Date: 21/11/2026 Contract Type: Part-time Contract Term: Temporary

Application Close: 16/10/2026 Midday Date of Interviews: 19th October 2026 Shortlisting Starts: 16/10/2026

St Teresa's Catholic Primary School is seeking an experienced, compassionate and motivated Learning Support Assistant to join our LSA SEND Team.

The hours: 9:00am - 1:30pm, Monday to Friday. Term time only. Start Date: As soon as possible

At St Teresa's, inclusion is about belonging. We work hard to ensure that every child feels known, valued and an important part of our school community. We believe that every member of staff should be a joyous teacher of SEND, and that children with additional needs should experience high expectations, strong relationships and genuine inclusion in the life and learning of the school.

Our SEND Learning Support Assistants work collaboratively as part of a team, with deployment responding flexibly to the needs of our children.

For this particular role, we are especially interested in candidates who have experience or expertise in supporting pupils with social, emotional and mental health (SEMH) needs, and pupils with autism and or ADHD, together with an understanding of emotionally based school avoidance (EBSA) and the ways in which anxiety can create barriers to attendance, participation and learning. Working alongside teachers, our SEND team and other colleagues, you will help pupils to access learning, develop confidence and experience success in school.

Your work will include:
Building trusting, positive relationships with pupils and helping them to develop a strong sense of belonging within their class and the wider school community.
Supporting pupils whose anxiety or emotional needs can make accessing whole-class teaching difficult.
Using emotionally literate approaches to help children recognise, understand and communicate their emotions and develop strategies for regulation.
Providing academic mentoring for pupils who have gaps in their learning, helping them to rebuild confidence and make progress in reading, writing and mathematics.
Supporting pupils to engage with the curriculum and, wherever possible, successfully access teaching alongside their peers.
Encouraging independence and resilience rather than creating dependency on adult support

We are looking for someone who:
Has experience of working with primary-aged children, ideally including pupils with SEND and/or SEMH needs.
Has a good understanding of SEMH and the impact that anxiety can have on learning and school engagement.
Has knowledge or experience of EBSA, or a willingness to develop their expertise in this area.
Understands emotional literacy and can support children to develop their emotional awareness and regulation.
Is confident supporting children's academic learning, particularly in reading, writing and mathematics.
Is patient, calm, consistent and able to build relationships without lowering expectations.
Understands that behaviour is communication whilst maintaining clear, appropriate boundaries.
We offer a welcoming and caring Catholic school community rooted in Gospel values and a genuinely inclusive ethos where SEND is everyone's responsibility. Our children are wonderful and behaviour is exceptional. Visits to the school are warmly welcomed and encouraged.

At St Teresa's Catholic Primary School, we believe our strength lies in the diversity of our community. We are committed to recruiting and developing a workforce that reflects and celebrates the children and families we serve. We warmly welcome applications from candidates of all backgrounds and are committed to creating an inclusive workplace where everyone is valued, respected and able to thrive. You do not need to be Catholic to apply, but you will be expected to support and uphold the Catholic ethos and values of our school.

At St Teresa's Catholic Primary School, we believe our strength lies in the diversity of our community. We are committed to recruiting and developing a workforce that reflects and celebrates the children and families we serve. We warmly welcome applications from candidates of all backgrounds and are committed to creating an inclusive workplace where everyone is valued, respected and able to thrive.

You do not need to be Catholic to apply, but you will be expected to support and uphold the Catholic ethos and values of our school.

St Teresa's Catholic Primary School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. The successful applicant will be required to undertake an enhanced DBS check, provide satisfactory references and complete all appropriate pre-employment checks in line with statutory safeguarding requirements.

All appointments are subject to safer recruitment requirements to ensure the safeguarding of children and young people. All positions will involve appropriate checks and clearances.

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Mrs Becky Maguire
Clairmont Road
Lexden, Colchester
Essex, CO3 9BE Telephone: [phone]
Email: [e-mail]