Learning Support Practitioner
Elm Tree Primary Academy, Wednesbury, WS10 0TB9 days remaining to apply
Start date details
September 2025
Closing date
5 May 2025 at 9am
Date listed
7 April 2025
Job details
Job role
- Teaching assistant
Visa sponsorship
- Visas cannot be sponsored
Subject
- Special Education Needs (SEN)
Working pattern
- Full time
Contract type
- Permanent
Full-time equivalent salary
- £26,409.00 - £30,060.00 Annually (FTE) Band D SCP 9 -17 £26,409 - £30,060 FTE (Actual Salary £19,743 - £22,473 + SEN Allowance £1491 per annum)
Learning Support Practitioner job summary
Elm Tree Primary Academy is a new special school in Sandwell for autistic pupils from Reception to Year 6 who have additional learning needs.
Phase 1 opened in September 2022 with a Reception class and Y1 class and Phase 2 will open as a brand new build in September 2023 in Friar Park Road Wednesbury.
This is a very exciting opportunity for Victoria Academies Trust who are looking to appoint an enthusiastic and highly motivated Learning Support Assistant. The position will allow the successful candidate to be part of a small team and grow with the school as it reaches its full capacity by September 2025
We are looking for candidates who
Are creative thinkers, passionate, committed and have the determination to secure the best possible outcomes for every child
Have experience of working with autistic pupils
Are energetic, positive and have the ability to work effectively as part of our team
Are willing to go the extra mile to make great things happen for our children
We can offer the successful candidates:
A commitment to continuing professional development
A supportive and hardworking staff team
Happy to discuss flexible working subject to the operational requirements of the role
Access to our VAT employee benefits platform
To provide classroom support to pupils under the guidance of the teacher.
To work under the guidance of teachers/senior staff to implement agreed work programmes with individuals/groups in or out of the classroom.
This will include programmes of work requiring detailed and specialist SEND knowledge and will involve assisting the teacher in the management/preparation of resources
To support teachers with planning and delivery of teaching and learning to small groups and individual pupils
Support to Pupils
- To assist pupils in the use of resources including IT.
- To maintain pupils' interests and motivation.
- To assist pupils with dress/changing for activities/personal hygiene.
- To support individual and group work assigned by the teacher in raising core skills.
- The care and welfare of pupils to include toileting and self-care skills as required.
- Assist with the development and implementation of individual pupil learning plans, pastoral support plans and safety support plans as required.
- Set high expectations in accordance with the pupil’s level of need to promote independence and employ strategies to recognise and reward achievement, self-reliance and promote self-esteem.
- Provide feedback to pupils in relation to progress and achievement under the guidance of the class teacher.
- Support pupils consistently, while recognising and responding to their individual needs ensuring their safety, access to learning and independence.
- Encourage pupils to interact and work cooperatively with others and engage pupils in activities.
- Demonstrate a commitment to promoting the wellbeing of pupils.
- Assist with the development and implementation of individual communication strategies/plans.
Support to Teachers
- Work with the teacher to establish an appropriate learning environment.
- To communicate with colleagues and assist in the assessment of pupil attainment/progress.
- Monitor and evaluate pupils’ responses to learning activities through observation.
- Provide regular feedback and written comments if required to the teacher on pupil achievement, progress and other matters, ensuring the availability of appropriate evidence through an agreed system.
- Undertake the marking/recording of pupils work in line with whole school policy when working with a child or small group.
- Assist with the development of learning activities and use strategies in liaison with the teacher to support pupils to achieve learning goals.
- Promote positive values and attitudes and pupils’ behaviour, dealing promptly with incidents in line with policy and encourage pupils to take responsibility for their own behaviour.
- Support the use of technology in learning activities and develop pupils’ confidence and independence in its use.
- Establish positive relationships and communication with parents and outside agencies.
- To liaise with teachers and other staff to obtain, exchange and record information on pupils in accordance with school policy.
- To liaise with the teacher and/or other professionals in planning and evaluating work plans as appropriate.
Support to School
- To be aware of an comply with school policies and procedures relating to child protection, health, safety and security, confidentiality and data protection, reporting all concerns to an appropriate person.
- Be aware of and support difference, ensuring all pupils have equal access to opportunities to learn and develop.
- To contribute to the overall ethos/work/aims of the school.
- Attend and participate to meeting as required.
- Participate in training, learning activities and performance development as required.
- To maintain school routine.
- To supervise pupils at lunch time and break time as required.
- Accompany teaching staff and pupils on trips and out of school activities.
- To maintain a safe environment.
- Undertake mentoring and appraisal duties as required
Other duties:
To undertake such other duties, training and/or hours of work as may be reasonably required and which are consistent with the general level of responsibility of the job.
To act professionally and with integrity at all times.
The school is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.
The duties described in this job description must be carried out in a manner that promotes equality of opportunity, dignity and due respect for all pupils, parents, colleagues and the wider community and is consistent with the trust’s equal opportunities policy.
- To participate in the operation of the Trust’s Appraisal Scheme.
- It is your responsibility to carry out your duties in line with the Trust policy on equality and be sensitive and caring to the needs of the disadvantaged, promoting a positive approach to a harmonious working environment. You should act as an exemplar on these issues and should identify and monitor training for yourself and any employees for whom you are responsible, in line with this policy, the Equality Standard and obligations under the Race Relations (Amendment) Act 2000.
- Such other duties as may be appropriate to achieve the objectives of the post to assist the school or Trust in the fulfilment of its objectives commensurate with the post holder's salary grade, abilities and aptitudes.
- The post holder must at all times carry out his/her responsibilities with due regard to the Trust policy, organisation and arrangements for Health and Safety at Work.
Please note that a short observation will be carried out as part of the interview process
This job description is not necessarily a comprehensive definition of the post. The particular duties and responsibilities listed above may be subject to reasonable change from time to time following consultation between the Head Teacher/ SLT with the postholder.
Elm Tree Primary Academy is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. The successful candidate will be subject to an enhanced DBS disclosure. All shortlisted candidates will be subject to an online search as part of our recruitment process.
This post is covered by Part 7 of the Immigration Act (2016) and therefore the ability to speak fluent and spoken English is an essential requirement of the role.
Rehabilitation of Offenders Act
This post is exempt from the provisions of the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. Appointment to this post is subject to an enhanced DBS disclosure which confirms the appointee is not on the Children’s Barred list being obtained. If you are shortlisted you will be asked to disclose any convictions, cautions, reprimands or final warnings that are not "protected" as defined by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (as amended in 2013)
Personnel Specification
| Qualifications and Experience | NVQ Level 3 in Childcare Experience of working with reception, key stage 1 and 2 pupils A minimum of 2yrs school based experience At least grade C/4 GCSE maths and English Evidence of CPD A commitment to future professional development Knowledge and Experience of Primary Curriculum Knowledge and understanding of Equal Opportunities Knowledge of Health and Safety issues |
| Training | Willing to attend relevant training |
Knowledge and skills | Understands the needs of autistic pupils and pupils with communication difficulties. Understand the needs of pupils with learning needs. Be computer literate. Work with individual or small groups of pupils with additional needs To be able to support teaching staff in the assessment of academic achievement and pupil need. Take a role in raising pupils’ aspirations and independence. Support staff to create a positive learning environment. Experience of delivering programs of with in collaboration with teachers and other specialists. |
Personal qualities | Able communicator Good organisational skills Commitment, enthusiasm, a sense of humour and determination to succeed. A capacity for hard work and an aptitude to work as part of the wider staff team. Demonstrate an ability to work with pupils and families in a sensitive and positive way. |
| Commitment to the following | Pupils with additional needs Raising standards for pupils Setting a good example in terms of dress, punctuality and attendance. An enthusiasm and determination to support the vision and values of the school community. |
Legal Requirements | Enhanced DBS Clearance |
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 are not accepted.
About Elm Tree Primary Academy
- School type
- Free School, ages 4 to 11
- School size
- 48 pupils enrolled
- Age range
- 4 to 11
- Ofsted report
- View Ofsted report
- School website
- Elm Tree Primary Academy website
School location
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