Learning Support Assistant

Job Description

The Vacancy

Fixed term

(January 2026-August 2028)

6.5 hours per week

Scale 3, Points 5-6 (£25,583 - £25,989 pa, pro-rata) 38 weeks per year (term time only)

We are looking to appoint a flexible, enthusiastic, and conscientious Learning Support Assistant with good communication skills and a can-do approach. The successful candidate will be supporting a pupil in a Year 2 classroom in areas of Speech, Language and Communication. Experience of working with pre-verbal children and children with Autism would be beneficial. Knowledge of Makaton or AAC would be beneficial. They should be a hardworking team member whilst also able to work on their own initiative. They should also:

· Primarily to support pupils with an EHCP, allocated on a needs basis. Alongside providing additional support to pupils across the school.

· Experience of supporting pupils with Special Educational Needs, in particular Speech and Language and SEMH needs would be an advantage.

· Knowledge of Makaton and Augmentative and Alternative Communication (ACC) (ideal not essential)

· Knowledge of ASD, Developmental Delay and SLN (ideal not essential)

· Knowledge of Child-led Play Therapy (ideal not essential)

In return we will offer you:

· Enthusiastic, engaged children who are eager and ready to learn;

· A positive and supportive learning environment that promotes continual professional development;

· A friendly, welcoming team both within the school and as part of The Learning Partnership Trust.

Visits or a phone call to the school are positively encouraged to discuss the particulars of the position.

Please apply via the essexschoolsjobs.co.uk website.

Closing date: Wednesday 3rd December 2025 (Midday)

Interview date: Friday 5th December

Information about the School

We are proud of our history of providing education for children in the local area from 1869 when the school was first opened as a Penny School; the children of ordinary people were charged 1 penny a day whilst children of shopkeepers were charged 3 pennies. At this time the school was located at Brewers End (on the old A120) and the buildings can still be seen there. Since that time the school has grown and developed and in September 2012 the school relocated to a brand-new school on its current site at Priors Green, Little Canfield.

Currently the school has 351 pupils on roll based in 13 classes covering Year groups from Reception to Year 6. Each classroom is a good size and has effective IT resources to support high quality teaching and learning. Our superb staff are led by a strong Senior Leadership Team. Our outside areas have also been enhanced with some excellent PE equipment and re-energised spaces. The school is an integral part of the village of Takeley and Little Canfield working closely with all the other organisations in the area to promote a sense of community.

The behaviour of pupils in the school is exemplary and we have a behaviour system that builds on positive attitudes and achievements. Attitudes to learning reflect a growth mindset and our pupils are eager to learn and impress their teachers and parents/carers with the knowledge that making mistakes supports their learning.

We firmly believe that all our children are very special with the capacity to achieve in a variety of areas. ‘Learning, achieving and enjoying together’ is our core professional purpose and our staff are committed to develop the skills and talents of all the children in our care. Together we are all working towards our children being confident and independent learners who have the courage to seize all the opportunities available to them both now and in the future.

All appointments are subject to safer recruitment requirements to ensure the safeguarding of children and young people. All positions will involve appropriate checks and clearances.