Vision Impaired Learning Support Assistant
The Toynbee School, Eastleigh, Hampshire, SO53 2PL20 days remaining to apply
Start date details
As soon as possible
Closing date
30 September 2025 at 12pm (midday)
Date listed
10 September 2025
Job details
Job role
- Learning support or cover supervisor
Visa sponsorship
- Visas cannot be sponsored
Working pattern
- Full time: To be discussed at Interview
Contract type
- Permanent
Full-time equivalent salary
- EHCC Scale B £24,796 - £25,128 FTE for 37 hours
What skills and experience we're looking for
Previous experience of working in a school is not essential, full training on all our school systems will be provided as part of our staff induction programme.
We have a vacancy in our VI department to support pupils with a Vision impairment at KS3/KS4 in a mainstream context, and support them across the curriculum. Special interest in supporting PE lessons including football, cricket and basketball would be an advantage. The role will also support in all GCSE core subjects including Maths, Science, English and Technology.
The ideal candidate should demonstrate resilience, initiative, patience, and a passion for working with and assisting young people to learn. There are good opportunities for career progression and previous experience is not essential. Candidates must have proven literacy and numeracy skills, equivalent to GCSE grade C and above.
A working knowledge of Braille and/or the modification of resources for large print users is desirable but not essential as training will be given. Additionally, there will be the opportunity to gain accreditation in Braille and associated skills to support pupils with a vision impairment.
The VI Learning Support Assistant is required to:
1. Provide support for pupils with a vision impairment within the classroom. Full training will be given.
2. Prepare/modify resources for pupils with a vision impairment and full training will be given on this
which will include:
- the modification of large print materials using Microsoft Office software within a specific subject area, designed to meet individual needs and in co-operation with the subject and specialist teachers of the vision impaired
- Adapt diagrams for large print and tactile users.
- Re-align original text for photocopy enlargement
- Modify text to braille (once training has been completed)
3. Support the social and emotional development of pupils with a vision impairment
4. Assist and support pupils with a vision impairment to fully integrate into a mainstream secondary school
5. Candidates must have proven literacy and numeracy skills, equivalent to GCSE grade C and above.
6. Be a strong team player as a member of an established support team, working towards the full integration of pupils with a vision impairment.
7. Work independently and with initiative.
8. Work alongside the class teacher in the support of pupil(s) with a vision impairment.
9. Support in alternative study periods/curricular activities for individual pupils, in the development of their whole school independence, helping to raise standards of achievement.
10. Occasionally support pupils with a vision impairment on out-of-hours educational visits, sporting locations etc.
11. Invigilate internal and external exams under the JCQ examination guidelines. Full training will be given on this.
12. Be professionally discrete and able to respect confidentiality on all issues.
13. Have a professional and positive attitude at all times.
14. Have good communication skills and able to clarify and explain instructions clearly.
15. Understand the implications of individual pupil’s vision impairment.
16. Have well-developed interpersonal skills and a sense of humour to support positive working relationships within the school environment.
17. Support individual pupils in the development to achieve their personal best and have the ability to motivate and encourage pupils appropriately, whilst adhering to the professional approach.
18. Provide written contributions for reports, PIPs (Personalised Information Plan) and EHCP (Education and Health Care Plan) reviews. Full training will be given on this.
19. Provide on-going feedback to the Manager of the Resource for effective support of individuals.
20. Assist in the keeping of records and the maintenance of materials and equipment.
21. Attend weekly VI Team Meetings, full staff meetings and Curriculum Team Meetings when necessary.
22. Undertake any duties, which may reasonably be regarded as within the duties of the post as defined.
What the school offers its staff
The VILSA will be given the opportunity to develop specific skills in an identified area of the curriculum. There will be an opportunity should you wish to learn Braille and acquire a qualification.
Training will be ongoing and there will be many opportunities to increase personal knowledge and professional development in the education and social and emotional support of pupils with a vision impairment, to achieve their full potential within a mainstream school setting.
This post is an excellent way to gain experience in a secondary school setting where the role of the Learning Support Assistant is valued by pupils, parents, and staff. If you have the skills, enthusiasm, and commitment to work with young people with a vision impaired, we would like to hear from you. Please see the Candidate Application pack for further information.
Interview Date: Successful shortlisted candidates will be contacted for interview prior to the closing date
CVs will not be considered, only applications made using the Support Staff Application Form can be accepted.
Applicants should apply using the Support Staff Application Form which can be found on our website, together with a Candidate Application Pack: https://www.toynbee.hants.sch.uk/vacancies. Please note that CVs will not be considered.
Completed Application Forms should be submitted to: recruitment@toynbee.hants.sch.uk. Please contact us via email or 02380269026 if you have any questions about the role.
Closing Date: 30th September 2025
Toynbee School is committed to creating a diverse workforce. We will consider all qualified applicants for employment without regard to sex, race, religion, belief, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, pregnancy, maternity, age, disability, marriage or civil partnership.
“Toynbee School is committed to safeguarding children and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. We will ensure that all our recruitment and selection practices reflect this commitment. All successful candidates will be subject to DBS checks along with other relevant employment checks.”
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
Apply for the job by following the link below.
CVs will not be accepted for this application.
View advert on school website (opens in new tab)Upload additional documents
If you need these documents in an accessible format, please contact the school.
About The Toynbee School
- School type
- Local authority maintained school, ages 11 to 16
- Education phase
- Secondary
- School size
- 1094 pupils enrolled
- Age range
- 11 to 16
- Ofsted report
- View Ofsted report
- School website
- The Toynbee School website
- Email address
- recruitment@toynbee.hants.sch.uk
- Phone number
- 02380269026
We are looking for a well-qualified and enthusiastic teacher to join our Mathematics team on a part or full time basis to start in September 2025. This role is suitable for both ECTs, who would benefit from a comprehensive range of support and guidance, and more experienced teachers alike. We are open to applicants who may be looking for part time work as well as applicants looking for a full-time position.
You will join a highly successful and well-resourced Maths Department where the focus in recent years has been on consistency of approaches, creating a productive and effective department where we have the belief that all children will achieve their potential. The department really does embody the school motto of “Personal Best” working together with pupils to encourage them to meet their individual goals. While we are very proud of these outcomes for our students in recent years, we remain driven and determined to improve even further. We are keen to employ a teacher who will share in this commitment whilst developing their own leadership.
Toynbee School is an oversubscribed school with consistently high achievement and progress across all subjects. The school was categorised as ‘Good’ by OFSTED in October 2015 and again in March 2019. We offer all staff:
An extensive CPD and Induction programme
Excellent facilities
A supportive team environment
Membership of the Teachers’ Pension Scheme
We have an excellent track record of developing and supporting our staff to progress both professionally, and in their career.
If you feel that you could contribute to the Maths Department’s continued success and if you would like to work in a school which is genuinely supportive and developmental then we would be delighted to hear from you.
Visits to the school are strongly encouraged and warmly welcomed.
Arranging a visit to The Toynbee School
To arrange a visit and increase the chance of a successful application email recruitment@toynbee.hants.sch.uk.
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