Learning support assistant

Job Description

Brentwood County High School

Seven Arches Road, Brentwood, Essex, CM14 4JF

Wishes to appoint

2 x Learning Support Assistants

Fixed Term Contract until 31/08/2025

Salary - Essex Scale 3 Range 5-6

£15,596.48 - £16,202.03 plus £467.21 fringe allowance per annum

30 hours per week - term time only

Monday - Friday, 8.30am - 3.10pm (40-minute unpaid break)

Start Date: December 2023

Are you looking for that next step into a role that could offer you entry into the exciting and rewarding world of teaching and SEND support?

A new opportunity has arisen, for two additional Learning Support Assistants to join our successful team supporting students in the classroom environment. Brentwood County High School (BCHS) are seeking to appoint two enthusiastic, caring, committed and flexible Learning Support Assistants, to support student learning and educational outcomes. The role is on a 1-year fixed-term contract.

The Osborne Co-operative Academy Trust is committed to supporting the right candidates who have a keen interest in entering a teacher-training programme and or someone seeking career development. This could be a fantastic opportunity for anyone with a degree looking to gain school-based experience ahead of entering a teacher training programme.

The successful candidate will need to demonstrate patience and show a commitment to supporting learners to improve educational outcomes. This role would be suited to someone enthusiastic, personable, empathetic and able to communicate effectively, whilst maintaining a calm and professional manner, under pressure. Previous experience would be an advantage but is not essential.

This position will involve:

· Supporting pupils, to ensure they are engaged in learning activities

· Promote the inclusion and acceptance of all students within the classroom

· Act as a role model, setting high expectations of conduct and promoting positive pupil behaviour, to create a safe and inclusive learning environment

· Providing feedback to the classroom teacher on the pupil's progress against lesson plans, the conduct of the lesson and keeping pupil-related records

· Dealing with any immediate problems or emergencies according to the school's policies and procedures about health & safety, welfare and wellbeing and safeguarding

· Provide additional support to the teachers in the classrooms,

· To establish positive relationships with the pupils in lessons being covered

The successful candidate will have:

· The ability to support pupils with learning, emotional and behavioural difficulties

· Excellent written skills with the ability to multi-task

· Excellent communication skills, with a positive and helpful attitude

· The ability to remain calm under pressure and remain positive

· The ability to follow safeguarding procedures and prioritise students' welfare

· GCSE or A Level Maths and English

Due to increasing student numbers, Brentwood County High School is on a journey of improvement and is seeking to appoint additional staff. Following our "Good" Ofsted rating in June 2022 and several years of excellent student outcomes, demand for places in Year 7 and Year 12 has been rising. In December 2023, we will be excited to open the final stage of our £27 million DFE heritage building project. This will provide new state-of-the-art learning environments - including new science, sporting, technology, and art facilities, whilst also retaining the character of the original school buildings that date back over a century. 

BCHS is a Co-operative Academy which is firmly rooted in serving our community. We are proud to be an inclusive co-educational comprehensive school where we recognise that success for young people is built on firm foundations of trust, respect, care and hard work. We measure our success by much more than exam results as we recognise that such data tells only a part of the story of each of our young people. BCHS is already a great place to teach and learn and we have many strengths including:

· Motivated and polite pupils, who have a strong voice in the school with diversity champions and student parliament

· Staff are aided by extensive and wide-ranging in-house support and coaching, by dedicated and helpful colleagues

· Knowledgeable and dynamic Trust with supportive governors, with a robust understanding of education

BCHS is located in the heart of Brentwood, near the town centre, a short distance from the train station, which is 25 minutes from Liverpool Street Station. The school, which also includes a large sixth form campus and achievements at KS5 have been a key strength at BCHS. Parking is available on-site and there are good transport links by both rail and bus. BCHS is just over two miles from the M25.

Brentwood County High School is a member of the Osborne Co-operative Academy Trust. The Osborne Co-operative Academy Trustis a Multi-Academy Trust, withtwelve member schoolswithin Essex. All schools in the Trust work in equal partnership and are members of the schools' Co-operative Society. Our Co-operative Values focus on enabling all students to achieve their potential both academically and as young people.

What the school can offer:

· Recognition of continuous service

· Automatic enrolment into the Local Government Pension Scheme

· Excellent CPD opportunities

· Career progression throughout the Trust, with the ability to progress in other schools

· The support of an experienced family of schools

· National Conditions of Service

· Access to the Employee Assistance Programme

· Excellent behaviour management policy to support all staff

· Wider support network for all staff including managing workloads and work-life balance

If you feel the school would suit you, and you have the passion, drive and commitment to work with us to make all aspects of our school outstanding, please apply now or you can request a visit of the school or for more information speak to Sophie Neal hr@osborne.coop or call 01375 648901. As a trust, we welcome applications from colleagues from all backgrounds.

BCHS is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. In compliance with safer recruitment procedures and guidelines, all applications must be made on our formal application form, CVs will not be accepted.  This appointment will be subject to pre-employment checks including an enhanced disclosure from the Disclosure and Barring Service and satisfactory references. The Osborne Co-operative Academy Trust is an equal opportunities employer.

If you would like to be considered for this post, application forms are available via our website,Vacancies in our Trust (osborne.coop)or Essex School Jobs.

Closing date: Friday 24th November 2023, Midday

Interview Date: Wednesday 29th November 2023

Please note: we may hold interviews as and when applications are received, and we reserve the right to offer to a candidate before the closing date. With this in mind, we encourage you to apply as soon as possible.