SLCN/EAL (English as an Additional Language) Specialist Learning Assistant

Southgate Primary, Crawley, West Sussex, RH10 6DG

12 days remaining to apply

• Job start date

  9 February 2026

• Closing date

  22 February 2026 at 11:59pm

• Date listed

  9 February 2026

Job details

• Job role:
  • Teaching assistant
• Visa sponsorship: Visas cannot be sponsored
• Key stage: Early years, Key stage 1, Key stage 2
• Working pattern: Full time
• Contract type: Permanent
• Full-time equivalent salary: GLF Specialist Point 1- £23,442.08

SLCN/EAL (English as an Additional Language) Specialist Learning Assistant job summary

Southgate Primary School is delighted to offer a permanent opportunity for a caring, skilled and committed practitioner to join our inclusive and forward‑thinking team. In this specialised role, you will play a vital part in supporting pupils with Speech, Language and Communication Needs (SLCN) and those learning English as an Additional Language (EAL), helping them to thrive socially, emotionally and academically.

Your opportunity

Working flexibly across the school, you will deliver targeted interventions, create personalised communication resources and collaborate closely with teachers and specialist staff to ensure every child can access the curriculum and reach their full potential. If you are passionate about enabling meaningful progress for all learners and want to make a real difference every day, we’d love to hear from you. The successful candidate will be responsible for providing tailored support to pupils with Speech, Language and Communication Needs (SLCN) and those learning English as an Additional Language (EAL), delivering targeted individual and small‑group interventions to develop communication, language and social interaction skills.

What we're looking for:

• Good general education, including GCSE (or equivalent) in English and Maths.
• Experience supporting children with Speech, Language and Communication Needs (SLCN) and/or pupils learning English as an Additional Language (EAL).
• Training in speech and language support (e.g., ELKLAN) or EAL‑specific training.
• Ability to deliver structured, targeted interventions with guidance.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to build positive, supportive relationships.
• Calm, flexible and professional approach when working across different age groups.
• Clear understanding of safeguarding, confidentiality and inclusive practice.
• Knowledge of language development or second‑language acquisition.

Desirable: 

• Experience using communication systems such as visuals, symbols or Makaton.
• Ability to speak an additional language

Please read the full job description and person
specification for more information. 

About Southgate Primary School

Our school sits within a newly established
cluster of schools, overseen by a Regional Director. Along with Southgate
Primary School, our cluster includes the following other schools; Forge Wood
Primary School, Kilnwood Vale Primary School, Greenway Junior School, Salfords
Primary School, Lime Tree Primary School, Merstham Primary School.

This is an exciting opportunity to work
collaboratively with colleagues across this cluster, to share expertise and
experience, ensuring all children in our schools receive an excellent education
and reach their potential. It also provides opportunities for career
progression across the cluster and gives you the chance to further your
professional development.

Join the GLF Schools Community

As a part of GLF Schools, you will join a
community of staff dedicated to transforming education. With regular
progression discussions, there will be a wealth of opportunities for you to
grow your career, whether in one of our 43 academies or in our central team.

• A Multi Academy Trust with over 2,500 colleagues and over 19,000 pupils
• Founded
  upon the values of Respect, Inclusivity, Integrity and Kindness


• 43
  primary and secondary schools across 7 Local Authority areas across the
  south of England


• We
  work as a community whilst ensuring each school maintains its own unique
  identity


• Committed
  to ensuring all children and young people receive the best possible
  education

GLF Schools Employment Offer

GLF Schools has a generous employment offer,
which allows all our colleagues to Grow, Learn and Flourish

• Access
  to our highly competitive Local Government Pension Scheme 


• Flexible
  working options


• Generous
  holiday allowance


• Work
  life and family friendly policies


• Employee
  wellbeing initiatives


• Career
  pathways and talent management


• Access
  to a staff benefits portal


• Community
  and collaboration working model

Please read the attached Join Our Community
candidate pack for further information.

The Details

Start Date: ASAP 

Salary: GLF Specialist  - £27,061

Actual Salary: £23,442.08

Hours: Term Time Only (39 Weeks) - Monday to Friday 8.15am-3.45pm Mon, Tues, Thurs, Fri and Wed 8.15am-5.00pm

Closing Date: 22 February 2026 

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

Safeguarding Statement
GLF Schools is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Employment is subject to a satisfactory enhanced disclosure from the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS).

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 Southgate Primary

• School type: Academy, ages 4 to 11
• Education phase: Primary school
• School size: 280 pupils enrolled
• Age range: 4 to 11
• Ofsted report: View Ofsted report
• School website: Southgate Primary website
• See more jobs: teaching-vacancies.service.gov.uk/organisations/southgate-primary-crawley

School location

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