Student Support Assistant

Activate Learning; Guildford; On-site; Full time

Job summary

Join a pioneering education group as a Student Support Assistant, where you will play a vital role in empowering students with special educational needs. This position offers the chance to make a significant difference in the lives of young adults, helping them overcome barriers to learning and achieve their full potential. With a focus on practical learning and skill development, you will work in a supportive environment alongside a diverse team. The role provides flexibility with part-time and full-time opportunities, and a commitment to professional growth through tailored training programs. If you are passionate about education and making a positive impact, this is the perfect opportunity for you.

Benefits

Monthly Staff Appreciation Awards

Wellbeing & Resources Groups

Free eye tests

Health Cash Plan

Continuous professional growth opportunities

Tailored induction programs

Pension Schemes

Generous Annual Leave

Flexible Working Options

Free parking at all campuses

Qualifications

• Strong communication and teamwork skills are essential.
• Experience with SEN is beneficial but not mandatory.

Responsibilities

• Support students with SEN to reach their educational potential.
• Act as role models and adopt learning techniques.

Skills

Strong communication skills

Ability to work independently

Flexibility and adaptability

Creative and innovative approach

Patience and empathy

Experience with SEN

Personal care and manual handling

Job description

Group Learning Support is our largest provision across the group, with a wider team of 300+ staff members all playing a critical part to our students that require educational support throughout their learning journey.

Job title: Student Support Assistant

Salary: up to £13.02ph

Contract type: FTC (until July 2025)

Location: Guildford college

Benefits: Term time only, Part time and Full-time opportunities available, Access to Learning Support Essentials training course

Our centres are open from 8.30am – 5pm Monday to Friday and therefore we expect our staff to be available to commit to these working hours over a minimum of 3 days per week.

The Role: Student Support Assistants

Our Student Support Assistants make a difference in the lives of our students with SEN by enabling them to reach their full educational potential. Our tailored pathway programmes, including GCSEs, Life Skills, and A-levels, ensure that all students can overcome barriers to learning and achieve their full potential. Student Support Assistants act as role models, adopting our learning philosophy, values and learning techniques to enable our students to progress throughout their course.

Staff at Guildford College work with young adults aged 16-19 years who are enrolled on a variety of academic and vocational courses and are studying at all levels, from entry qualifications to Level 3. Where necessary you may be required to support students with personal care needs from time to time as well as positive behaviour management adopting a tailored approach to the individual student.

There are fantastic working spaces, including specialist workshops and salons for students. Students come to an FE College like Guildford because they want to learn in a more practical way – they want to be active learners with real life applications and a clear focus on developing skills for the workplace or higher education.

Staff who support learners at Guildford College are integral to the ultimate success of learners. It is a great place to work if you have a desire to share your skills and knowledge with students.

What do you need to be a successful Student Support Assistant at Activate Learning?

• Strong communication skills to collaborate with tutors and ensure the effective delivery of further education programs, as well as to work efficiently within a coordination team.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Flexibility and adaptability.
• A creative and innovative approach to motivating learners and providing support.
• Patience, empathy, and a genuine desire to assist students with diverse learning needs.
• While previous experience as a teaching assistant and supporting individuals with SEN is beneficial, it is not mandatory.
• Experience in providing personal care and manual handling, or a willingness to undergo training.

Who we are

Activate Learning is a pioneering education group with a global reach, committed to transforming lives through our approach to learning.

We see our employees as individuals, empowering them to make the right choices for their ambitions and careers. We value our people as vital to our continued success and aspire to a diverse, open and inclusive environment that provides the motivation for everyone to pursue their career goals and flourish.

When you work for Activate Learning, you’re working for an organisation that provides you with the advantages of a large employer, a trusted partner in your career development, and a transformational way of working whilst also investing in building a community environment for everyone.

Together, we will bring out the best version of yourself.

Activate Learning Group Employee Benefits:

Here are some of our benefits:

• Monthly Staff Appreciation Awards: Celebrating staff for their dedication and accomplishments aligned to our award-winning Learning Philosophy.
• Wellbeing & Resources Groups: Comprehensive range of resources, guides and tools to support staff wellbeing.
• Company benefits: Including free eye tests and will writing, plus access to a Health Cash Plan covering optical, dental, health screening, and therapy treatments for you and your dependents.
• Learning and Development: continuous opportunities for professional growth and skill enhancement through our in-house L&D team.
• Teaching Support: Tailored induction and development programs for teaching staff.
• Pension Schemes: Teacher and Local Government pension schemes for AL staff.
• Generous Annual Leave: Up to 6 weeks paid leave.
• Flexible Working: Options include hybrid and remote, term time only, and flexible working patterns.
• Competitive salaries: Annual incremental progression and a twelve point pay scale for teachers.
• On-Site Facilities: Free parking at all campuses, refectories, hair and beauty salons & gym access.

For a comprehensive list of all of our benefits please visit our work with us/wellbeing and benefits page.

Applicants should apply at the earliest opportunity; closed vacancies will prevent application form submission.

Applications are reviewed and shortlisted on a rolling basis, we reserve the right to interview, appoint and close adverts.

Activate Learning is committed to safeguarding and expect all our staff to share this commitment. Successful applicants will be required to undergo a DBS check at the appropriate level.

Applicants must be eligible to work in the UK, we do not sponsor work permits. Work permits from other organisations are unacceptable as proof of right to work in the UK.

Applications are encouraged from all candidates who meet or exceed minimum criteria, regardless of age, disability, gender, orientation, race, religion, or ethnicity. Activate Learning are committed to employing people with disabilities and will ensure our recruitment process is inclusive and accessible. If you require any reasonable adjustments either at application or interview stage, please contact the talent team directly.

Recruitment agencies who submit unsolicited CVs to any partner or employee at Activate Learning, have no authority to enter an arrangement. Recruitment agencies engaging with Activate Learning Talent Team will be on our PSL.