Learning Support Assistant Speech and Language Focus
Katherine Warington School, Harpenden, AL5 5FH39 days remaining to apply
Closing date
1 September 2026 at 8am
Date listed
24 July 2026
Job details
Job role
- Teaching assistant
Visa sponsorship
- Visas cannot be sponsored
Working pattern
- Part time
Contract type
- Fixed term
Full time equivalent salary
- £26,312.00 - £27,983.00 Annually (FTE)
Learning Support Assistant Speech and Language Focus job summary
Through the application of specific knowledge and skills:
To support teaching staff in raising standards of attainment for all students (e.g., SEND, EAL, all underachieving groups and those Visually Impared)
To assist with the planning, monitoring, assessment and management of classes
To encourage students to become independent learners through the provision of support for their welfare, facilitating the inclusion of students in all aspects of school life.
To work independently and collaboratively with teaching staff and to assist with the planning cycle and preparation of resources.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
The Learning Support Assistant’s (LSA) main role is to:
deliver structured, small-group or 1:1 speech and language programmes (e.g., vocabulary building, narrative skills, and auditory memory support) as directed by Speech and Language Therapists.
facilitate structured social skills groups or speech-linked lunchtime clubs to help students navigate the complex social landscape of secondary school.
act as a liaison between external Speech and Language Therapy services and subject teachers, ensuring therapist recommendations are practically implemented in daily lessons. Track and record student progress against specific communication targets.
provide 1:1 support for students with special educational, social, emotional and behaviour difficulties
ensure that students can integrate as fully as possible in activities undertaken by other students in the class to enable them to make progress
run specific programmes and activities to support students’ individual learning and social needs
be responsible for implementing targets on students’ Individual Education Plans (IEP) in liaison with class teachers and the SENDCo.
Duties will include:
Establishing and maintaining professional positive relationships with students, staff and parents, fostering links between home and school
Developing knowledge of the particular needs of each student, supporting them with learning activities and facilitating independent learning that encourages them to take responsibility for their own learning
Liaising with the SENDCO, teaching staff and external agencies to seek advice on supporting identified EHCP students as Key Workers
Attending planning meetings with the SENDCo to develop learning programmes and assist in the delivery of individual learning programmes to promote learning, behaviour and communication skills
Providing regular feedback to the SENDCo and, where necessary, relevant outside agencies about a student’s difficulties and progress
Preparation of lessons with teaching staff, participating in lesson planning and evaluation/adjustment of lesson plans
Developing and preparing resources for learning activities in accordance with lesson plans and in response to student needs
Delivering learning to individuals, small groups and whole classes as and when required within agreed systems of supervision
Supporting the teaching of the National Literacy Strategy and National Numeracy Strategy and assisting students in accessing the full curriculum
Contributing to maintaining student records
Supporting students within the inclusion area in small groups and 1:1 settings
Keeping detailed records of timetabled small group and 1:1 learning support sessions, using evaluations of these records to inform future planning
Contributing to the effective and consistent management of student behaviour through the use of positive reinforcements, praise and rewards
Understanding and applying school policies on learning and behaviour, and statutory guidelines relating to disability discrimination and special educational needs.
Respecting and maintaining confidentiality and sensitivity to students’ needs whilst having regard for the school’s safeguarding protocols
Keeping an up-to-date Learning Support Assistant file detailing support for students and strategies
Keeping abreast of developments in working with children with special educational needs.
Attending INSET training sessions and staff meetings
Undertaking a weekly morning break and/or lunch duty, supervising students in and around the school premises
To be available to assist with the annual school open day, school trips and any school emergencies.
Please see the Job Description for further information.
In return, you will have access to our staff benefits package including:
- An annual Flex Day to be taken on a day of your choice (with an additional day granted for every 4 years of service)
- Commitment to flexible working
- Free parking on site
- Free use of the school gym
- Cycle to work scheme
- Free 24/7 access to our Employee Assistance Programme
- Access to our in-house team of Mental Health First Aiders
- Buddy system for new staff
- Access to mentoring and CPD opportunities
- Regular staff socials
- Discounts with local businesses
- An opportunity to work with friendly and welcoming colleagues in a modern, aesthetically pleasing and forward-thinking environment.
At KWS, we understand the value of having a workforce that reflects and represents our multi-ethnic student body from an equality, diversity and inclusivity perspective. We therefore welcome and embrace applications from all backgrounds.
We are also committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and expect all staff and visitors to share this commitment. This post will require a Full Enhanced, with List Checks, Disclosure and Barring Service check (DBS).
As part of our selection and appointment process, and in accordance with Keeping Children Safe in Education guidance, we are required to conduct online searches on all candidates in order to identify any incidents or concerns which are publicly available online. By submitting and signing your application, you acknowledge that such searches will be conducted as part of the selection and appointment process.
Applications will be shortlisted throughout the process, and we may interview and close the advert early if we are in a position to recruit a suitable candidate. We therefore encourage interested candidates to apply early.
For more details about the school please visit our website and prospectus, links below
https://kwschool.co.uk/
https://kwschool.co.uk/prospectus/
Further information about the job
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.
View advert on external website (opens in new tab)About Katherine Warington School
- Organisation type
- Free School, ages 11 to 19
- Education phase
- Secondary school
- Size
- 1113 pupils enrolled
- Age range
- 11 to 19
- Ofsted report
- View Ofsted report
Katherine Warington School is a new comprehensive, co‐educational and non‐denominational academic secondary school (opened September 19) with 750 students currently (180 in each of years 7, 8, 9 and 10 – these year groups are already oversubscribed). The school will add a
further 180 students in each subsequent year and then open a 250 strong Sixth Form. By 2025 we will have grown to our capacity of 1,150 students. The school was established through the partnership of the Harpenden Secondary Schools Trust, which includes the three outstanding
schools in Harpenden: Roundwood Park, St George’s and Sir John Lawes and additional partners: the University of Hertfordshire and Rothamsted Research Centre (a world leading non‐profit agricultural science research centre).
Further details about the school, including our prospectus and virtual tour, can be found on our website: www.kwschool.co.uk
School location
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