Learning Support Assistants

Gilbert Ward Academy, Blyth, Northumberland, NE24 2TS

26 days remaining to apply

• Start date details

  As soon as possible

• Closing date

  12 October 2026 at 12pm (midday)

• Date listed

  16 September 2026

Job details

• Job role:
  • Learning support or cover supervisor
• Visa sponsorship: Visas cannot be sponsored
• Working pattern: Part time: 33.50 hours per week, term time + 5 additional training days
• Contract type: Permanent
• Pay scale: N4 SCP 7-9 FTE: £27,274 - £28,153 £21,204 - £21,887 actual salary pro-rata (£14.14 - £14.59 per hour) - subject to pay award

What skills and experience we're looking for

This role is perfect for a positive and professional individual with:

Level 2 DfE recognised Teaching Assistant, Special Needs Assistant, EYFS or Childcare qualification OR Level 3 (or higher) qualification in any field with relevant experience e.g. working in a classroom

An ability to support the teaching of pupils with learning difficulties

An understanding of the educational environment and teaching of pupils with learning difficulties

What the school offers its staff

Benefits of working for Prosper Learning Trust

The Trust is proud to say that we match the Real Living Wage and we also offer successful candidates:

A friendly and supportive team of staff who are willing to share expertise and learn from one another

Opportunities for career development and support with development through Trust wide Continuing Professional Development (CPD) programmes

Free access to a comprehensive suite of unlimited CPD opportunities through The National College

Access to an Employee Assistance Programme and support from the Trust's Wellbeing Network Group

Access to either Teacher's Pension or Local Government Pension Scheme, each with favourable employer contribution rates.

Employee centred policies that support you in and beyond the workplace

Funded eye tests for DSE users (subject to T/Cs)

Bike 2 Work scheme

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.

Are you seeking a new challenge?

Gilbert Ward Academy is delighted to announce they have exciting opportunities for Learning Support Assistants to join their team. As a school that opened its doors in September 2023, we are at the forefront of providing exceptional education for pupils with Social, Emotional, and Mental Health (SEMH) needs.

This role is perfect for a positive and professional individual with:

Level 2 DfE recognised Teaching Assistant, Special Needs Assistant, EYFS or Childcare qualification OR Level 3 (or higher) qualification in any field with relevant experience e.g. working in a classroom

An ability to support the teaching of pupils with learning difficulties

An understanding of the educational environment and teaching of pupils with learning difficulties

As a valued member of our team, you will:

Assist in providing classroom support duties

Take part in curriculum related tasks under the direction of the teacher

Respond to pupils’ social, emotional and physical needs

Does this sound like the perfect fit for you?

Located in Blyth, Northumberland, our academy currently serves 80 pupils. This expansion represents a unique chance for the successful candidate to play a crucial role in shaping our school’s provision and establishing a lasting legacy in the field of special education.

You will work under the guidance of the class teacher and the leadership team to support the teaching and learning of our pupils. You will help them to overcome barriers to learning, develop their social and emotional skills, and achieve their full potential. You will also contribute to the development of a positive and inclusive learning environment that meets the needs of all our pupils.

If you are ready to make a significant impact in the lives of our pupils and be part of a vibrant, forward-thinking community, we would love to hear from you.

This is a chance to be at the heart of something truly special. Be part of our journey at Gilbert Ward Academy, where together, we can create a brighter future for our pupils.

Gilbert Ward Academy is a purpose-built Department for Education (DfE) special free school designed to provide a tailored education for pupils aged 11-16 with SEMH needs and ASC. Opened recently to meet a growing demand in the region, the academy is proud to offer a modern, inclusive, and nurturing learning environment.

Our facilities have been specifically designed to support the unique needs of our pupils, with specialist spaces to encourage personal growth, learning, and well-being. Located in Blyth, Northumberland, we are deeply committed to fostering resilience, independence, and aspiration in every pupil we serve.

As part of Prosper Learning Trust, which supports five specialist schools in the North East, we share a commitment to empowering vulnerable young people to succeed.

To learn more about Gilbert Ward Academy and Prosper Learning Trust, please visit the websites.

Prosper Learning Trust was established in January 2018 to help vulnerable young people succeed against the odds.Four core values underpin everything we do as a Trust, these are Aspiration, Integrity, Resilience and Kindness.We are looking for staff who share those values and want to support our young people.

The Trust currently have 5 schools in the region:

Newcastle Bridges School – Alternative Provision academy offering education to pupils unable to access mainstream school due to medical needs including hospitalised children and young people (3-19 years)

Mary Astell Academy – Alternative Provision academy offering education to permanently excluded pupils and pupils who are struggling in mainstream school (11-16 years)

Thomas Bewick Special School – Special School academy for pupils with a diagnosis of autism (3-19 years)

Harry Watts Academy – Special School academy for pupils with a diagnosis of autism (5-16 years)

Gilbert Ward Academy – Special School academy for pupils with SEMH or a diagnosis of autism (11-16 years)

The successful candidate will be deployed initially at Gilbert Ward Academy but will be expected to work at any Prosper Learning Trust site should the need arise.

Benefits of working for Prosper Learning Trust

The Trust is proud to say that we match the Real Living Wage and we also offer successful candidates:

A friendly and supportive team of staff who are willing to share expertise and learn from one another

Opportunities for career development and support with development through Trust wide Continuing Professional Development (CPD) programmes

Free access to a comprehensive suite of unlimited CPD opportunities through The National College

Access to an Employee Assistance Programme and support from the Trust's Wellbeing Network Group

Access to either Teacher's Pension or Local Government Pension Scheme, each with favourable employer contribution rates.

Employee centred policies that support you in and beyond the workplace

Funded eye tests for DSE users (subject to T/Cs)

Bike 2 Work scheme

For more information on why we think you should work for us see our Trust website, where you will also find videos of what our current staff think.

The successful candidate will be welcomed into the Trust, so if this sounds like the role for you, please don't hesitate to apply.

Please note that all successful candidates will be required to complete an online pre-employment medical questionnaire.

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

Apply for the job by following the link below.

CVs will not be accepted for this application.

About Gilbert Ward Academy

• Organisation type: Free School, ages 11 to 16
• Size: 83 pupils enrolled
• Age range: 11 to 16
• Ofsted report: View Ofsted report
• Website: Gilbert Ward Academy website
• Email address: admin@gilbertwardacademy.co.uk
• Phone number: 01670 293193
• See more jobs: teaching-vacancies.service.gov.uk/organisations/gilbert-ward-academy

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