Job Description

Arnold Hill Spencer Academy

Learning Support Assistant

Full Time 37hrs, Term Time Only, Permanent

NJC10 - NJC14 23,779 - 25,364 (actual salary)

Required as soon as possible

Arnold Hill Spencer Academy is looking to appoint a committed and enthusiastic Learning Support Assistant to join our experienced and supportive Learning Support team on a full-time, permanent basis.

This is a vital role within our Inclusion Team, offering the chance to make a real difference in the lives of our students. We are seeking individuals who are passionate about supporting young people with a variety of special educational needs and disabilities, including autism, social, emotional and mental health challenges, and difficulties with literacy or numeracy.

We particularly welcome applicants with experience in areas such as exam access arrangements, mentoring or coaching, a background in sports, or strong subject knowledge in Maths, Science, or English. Flexibility, resilience, and a proactive attitude are essential, as the role involves adapting to the changing needs of our students. In return, you will be part of a forward-thinking, dynamic, and welcoming team that values collaboration, sets high expectations, and is committed to making a positive impact.

Arnold Hill Spencer Academy is a special place to learn and work. Our students are impressive young people, whose behaviour and achievements are something to be proud of. Our aim is for all members of the community to "Be inspired and achieve together" and to provide opportunities for this on a daily basis. Student attainment and progress is above national average at GCSE and well above average at A Level. We are currently full to capacity in most year groups with waiting lists for students hoping to join. We teach our students the value of respect, how to act responsibly and support them to become mature, independent young people. We very much believe in the potential of every student, enabling them to thrive in our caring environment.

SAT is an educational charity, Multi-Academy Trust and Sponsor of Academies. We have approaching 18000 children and young people in our academies and employ more than 2500 teachers, leaders and educational support professionals across the East Midlands. We aspire to be a leading regional high performing Trust, with a national reputation for excellence.

We currently have 17 primary academies, 8 secondary academies and 1 primary aged special school in our family of schools. All of our schools benefit from the collaboration and added value that being a member of our Trust offers, and share our values and beliefs. Spencer Trust academies share an ambition to deliver results that compete with the very highest performing schools in the country, and deliver a curriculum for students that is underpinned by breadth, opportunity and quality: one that seeks to give young people the opportunity to develop into well rounded global citizens that believe they can influence positive change in the world.

Mission

Our Mission is to deliver the best possible outcomes for children and young people.

Vision

Spencer Academies Trust is an exceptional Trust, providing an outstanding education for local children.

We Believe:

All children have a right to a quality education regardless of background or ability, and have an entitlement to the opportunity of a secure progression route in their learning and development. Schools are stronger when they work in collaboration with each other, operate within a 'family' and are open to a true sense of partnership. We grow the effectiveness and sustainability of our schools by developing the people within them, and that through shared and equitable responsibility for quality and outcomes; we achieve more.
Applicants would be expected to share the Trust's high aspirations and expectations for pupils and staff.

If you would like to discuss the role, or have any queries, please contact abrown@arnoldhillspencer.org.uk

The Spencer Academies Trust Safer recruitment policy requires applications for this post must be submitted through our recruitment portal. CVs cannot be accepted. We are also required to request references prior to interview.

Closing date for applications 15 September 2025 11:59pm

Interviews will take place on W/C 15 September 2025

Early application is strongly encouraged as we reserve the right to interview and close the advert ahead of the closing date.

How to Apply

Applications are submitted through our Every Candidate Portal. If you are a new user to our portal, you can click on

'Register'

to complete your candidate profile. If you already have a candidate profile with us, click on

'Sign In'.

Both of these routes allow you to feed your candidate information into any of our vacancies and view the status of your application. If you want to apply directly for this role and not save your data for any future vacancies, you can click on the

'Apply Now'

button at the bottom of this page.

We have added a video to help guide you through our portal, please visit https://vimeo.com/737845492/c1b8e43656

Spencer Academies Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all our children and young people. Therefore, we expect everyone to share this commitment. All appointments are subject to satisfactory pre- employment checks, including a satisfactory Enhanced criminal records with Barred List Check through the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) and the completion of Level 2 Safeguarding training. It is an offence to apply for the role if an applicant is barred from engaging in regulated activity relevant to children (where the role involves this type of regulated activity).

The Trust and its member academies are committed to promoting equality and diversity in both employment and education provision. We aim to ensure that students, parents, governors, employees, contractors, partners, clients and other stakeholders within the Trust community are treated fairly, and with dignity and respect regardless of Protected Characteristics.

Spencer Academies Trust is a Disability Confident Committed Employer

Purpose of Role

This role is for a full time, term time only, Learning Support Assistant. The ideal candidate will be able to operate within a dynamic and forward-thinking team who are focused on developing exciting and engaging learning experiences for students across the 11-18 age range.

Nature and Scope

Working as part of this important team you will be required to carry out the following duties. The nature of the Academy Year requires some of these tasks to be done regularly whilst others will be on an annual cycle.

The post holder will be expected to use all Trust standard computer hardware and software packages where appropriate.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

The Learning Support Assistant will be a member of a multi-disciplinary team, under the leadership and supervision of the SENCO and Deputy SENCO. In co-operation with the SENCO and Deputy SENCO and under the agreed educational plan, the post holder will provide support to pupils with a range of SEND, including Autism, Social Emotional and Mental Health and Anxiety.

Particular Responsibilities

This list is not meant to provide a narrow definition of specific responsibilities but to serve as guidance and should be seen as enabling rather than restrictive.

Undertaking the activities with either individuals or groups of students to ensure their safety and facilitate their physical, emotional and educational development. Carrying out pre-determined educational activities and work programmes whilst promoting independent learning. Organising and participating in activities at breaks and lunchtimes. Encouraging acceptance and inclusion of the students with special needs. Promoting and reinforcing the students' self-esteem. Play an active part in managing students' behaviour, including monitoring and looking at active strategies to change behaviours.

Support the teacher by:

Monitoring individual student's needs and reporting these to their designated supervisor as appropriate. Keeping such records of the student's development as required by the school. Assisting teaching staff in the planning of work programmes for individuals and groups of students. Assisting the teaching staff in the smooth transition between educational phases.

Faculty Duties

Contribute and adhere to the school improvement plans, aims, policies and procedures. Develop effective relationships with parents and other partners. Participate fully in own performance appraisal. Contribute effectively to the SEND team. Ensure safeguarding and promote the welfare of students Being aware of school policies and procedures. Being aware of confidential issues linked to home/pupil/teacher/school work and to keep confidences as appropriate. To take reasonable care for the health and safety of him/herself and of other persons who may be affected by his/her activities where appropriate. Safeguarding the health and safety of all persons under his/her control and guidance in accordance with the provision of health and safety legislation.

Other duties

Undertaking any other duties, which may reasonably be regarded as within the nature and the responsibilities/grade of the post, subject to the proviso that normally any changes of a permanent nature shall be incorporated into the job description in specific terms.

General

Work in a professional manner and with integrity and maintain confidentiality of records and information. Maintain up to date knowledge in line with national changes and legislation as appropriate to the role. Be aware of and comply with all Trust policies including in particular IT, Health and Safety and Safeguarding. Participate in the Trust Professional Performance Review process and undertake professional development as required. Adhere to all internal and external deadlines. Contribute to the overall aims and ethos of the Spencer Academies Trust and establish constructive relationships with nominated Academies and other agencies as appropriate to the role.
These above-mentioned duties are neither exclusive nor exhaustive, the post- holder maybe required to carry out other duties as required by the Trust.

The Spencer Academies Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all our students and expects all employees and volunteers to share this commitment. All posts are subject to enhanced DBS checks and completion of Level 2 safeguarding training.

Person Specification

Qualifications and Experience/Knowledge and Skills

Essential

NVQ Level 3 or equivalent GCSE Maths and English (A - C) or equivalent Experience of working with in an education setting Experience in working with students with special educational needs Experience of working with students with varying emotional needs and supporting students in small groups/ on a one to one basis

Desirable

Evidence of further professional development within last two years related to SEND Relevant behaviour management training Child protection training An understanding of the resources and materials necessary to support identified student learning needs Experience of completing assessments (e.g. for exam access arrangements) Experience of delivering evidence-based interventions that accelerate learning Experience of working in a secondary education setting Mentoring experience

Personal qualities

Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to maintain strict confidentiality Initiative and ability to prioritise own work and that of others to meet deadlines Efficient and meticulous in organisation Able to follow direction and work in collaboration with the leadership team Able to work flexibly, adopt a hands-on approach and respond to unplanned situations Ability to evaluate own development needs and those of others and to address them Commitment to the highest standards of child protection and safeguarding Recognition of the importance of personal responsibility for health and safety Commitment to the Trust's ethos, aims and whole community.
Job Types: Full-time, Permanent

Pay: 23,779.00-25,364.00 per year

Benefits:

Company pension Free parking On-site parking
Work Location: In person

Reference ID: LSA 3.9.25