Emotional Literacy Support Assistant (ELSA) (AF42)

Ash Field Academy, Leicester, LE5 4PY

12 days remaining to apply

• Start date details

  As soon as possible

• Closing date

  31 October 2025 at 11:59pm

• Date listed

  17 October 2025

Job details

• Job role:
  • Teaching assistant
• Visa sponsorship: Visas cannot be sponsored
• Working pattern: Part time, full time
• Contract type: Permanent
• Full-time equivalent salary: £26,832.00 - £28,146.00 Annually (Actual) Approx Starting Salary £18,613 per annum

Emotional Literacy Support Assistant (ELSA) (AF42) job summary

Emotional Literacy Support Assistant (ELSA)

Ash Field Academy

Salary: Grade 7 Pay Point 11-14 (£26,832- £28,146 per annum, approximate starting salary of £18,613 )

Hours: 30 hours per week; 39 weeks per year (Term time plus INSET days)

Contract Type: Permanent

About the Role

Ash Field Academy are seeking an Emotional Literacy Support Assistant to join our team. The ideal candidate will possess excellent communication skills, empathy, and the ability to work collaboratively with teachers and parents. The role involves providing emotional support to students, promoting positive mental health, and facilitating social and emotional learning.

Why Choose Ash Field Academy?

Ash Field provides an outstanding education for our pupils and our values (Trust, Respect, Aspiration, Collaboration and Kindness) underpin everyday life. Our school motto is ‘Reach for Success’ and this is apparent with everything that we do. I am honoured to lead such a fantastic school where we are determined to support both children and staff as well as our school community in fulfilling their individual goals.

Key Responsibilities

• Working with individuals or groups of children who are experiencing difficulties with emotional literacy or other aspects of school or home life.
• Establishing supportive, caring and secure relationships with children, and to be available to offer individual support and someone for a child to talk to.
• Develop knowledge of a range of learning and behavioural support needs and to plan, devise and implement appropriate programmes to help develop children’s emotional literacy skills and emotional wellbeing.
• Creating, developing and producing resources for use with intervention programmes, as appropriate.

What We’re Looking For

Qualifications:

• NVQ 2/3 in Supporting Teaching and Learning, or equivalent OR
• Able to demonstrate the ability to meet the STL Level 3 National Occupational Standards relevant to this post.
• Level 2 qualifications in maths/numeracy and English/literacy OR
• Able to demonstrate competency in literacy and numeracy equivalent to level 2.

Experience:

• Experience of supporting teaching and learning in a formal setting.
• Supporting learning within the Early Years Foundation Stage &/or Key Stage 1 or 2
• Previous ELSA experience.

Skills & Knowledge:

• Knowledge of child protection and health and safety procedures.
• Knowledge and understanding the theory and practice of providing effectively for the individual needs of children
• Ability and willingness to undertake professional development.
• Able to develop appropriate trustful relationship with specific children.
• Promote the school’s aims and vision positively

Please refer to the Job Description and Person Specification to support your application.

Why Join Us?

Professional Growth & Support

• Ongoing professional development opportunities.
• Access to learning networks and visits to other organisations.
• Supportive leadership and a highly committed team.
• Highly committed and motivated Team
• A role which has the opportunity to make a real difference whilst having fun
• A established Central Services Team who support schools and wider colleagues

Work-Life & Wellbeing Benefits

• Flexible working options.
• Employee Assistance Programme (EAP).
• Defined benefit pension scheme.
• Be an integral member of the team in a vibrant school.
• Create an outstanding learning environment for the success of all of our children.
• Play a significant part in continuing to develop our school.
• Be part of a wider community of Discovery Schools Trust.

Additional Perks

• Free parking.
• Cycle-to-work scheme.
• Gym discounts.
• Eyecare vouchers.
• Dental support.
• Retail discounts.
• Annual incremental pay increases within the pay scale.

Equal Opportunities & Accessibility

We welcome enquiries from everyone and value diversity in our workforce.
Applications are welcome from all sections of the community regardless of gender identity, ethnic origin, disability, age or sexual orientation. If you require assistance completing your application, please contact hrsupport@discoverytrust.org for support.

Depending on your role, occasional travel between Discovery locations may be required. A valid driving license and appropriate business insurance are necessary, and you will need to provide evidence of these documents

More about Discovery Schools Trust

Discovery Schools Trust is dedicated to improving learning and teaching by creating a culture that promotes excellence. The needs of all children are placed at the heart of all decision making regardless of the school they attend. Teaching and learning excellence are shared through learning networks, sharing of ideas and materials as well as leading practitioners between schools. Discovery has developed a school improvement system which focuses on improving outcomes for all children. It also places staff development, talent management and succession planning at the heart of achieving outstanding organisations.

Please note that interviews for this position may be made earlier than the stated closing date if a suitable candidate is identified. Therefore, we encourage interested applicants to submit their applications promptly. Early submission will not only ensure consideration for the position but also increase the likelihood of being invited for an interview. We appreciate your understanding and look forward to receiving your application.

Safeguarding Statement

We are committed to safeguarding our pupils; therefore, the successful applicant will require an Enhanced Disclosure from the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) and references.

AI

While we acknowledge the advantages of AI in crafting personal statements for applications, we strongly encourage and expect applicants to personalise and tailor responses. Please note that the Trust may utilise AI checking solutions during the application review process and will be considered when shortlisting.

Apply Now!
If you are ready to make a difference in children's lives, apply today!

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.

Visas cannot be sponsored.

If you're interested in teaching or training to teach in England as an international citizen, we can help you understand your next steps.

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.

Applying for the job

This school accepts applications through their own website, where you may also find more information about this job.

CVs will not be accepted for this application.

About Ash Field Academy

• School type: Academy, ages 4 to 19
• School size: 157 pupils enrolled
• Age range: 4 to 19
• Ofsted report: View Ofsted report
• School website: Ash Field Academy website
• See more jobs: teaching-vacancies.service.gov.uk/organisations/ash-field-academy

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