Job Description

PHILIP MORANT SCHOOL & COLLEGE

LEARNING SUPPORT ASSISTANT

Pay Range: Local Government Scale 3

Actual Salary from: £17,231 - £17,505 (Points 5 - 6)

Start Date: 1st September 2025

The Role

We are seeking an outstanding Learning Support Assistant to join Philip Morant School and College.

Our most recent Ofsted report states: "Pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), including those in the enhanced provision, are very well catered for. Teachers know the pupils and their needs well. They use pupils' support plans to make sure that they participate fully in lessons. Specialist staff effectively support those pupils with visual impairment and those who are deaf." We are looking for an individual who can maintain this excellence in our SEN provision.

This role will support our learners with Special Educational Needs across the wider SEN profile in the school, in full class settings, in interventions and through being a key worker. The school has enhanced provisions for hearing and visually impaired students and all LSAs work with these students. We would welcome ELSA (Emotional Literacy Support) qualifications and experience to help support students but this is not essential and can be provided. An interest in running our Forest School interventions would also be a consideration.

This post is 30 hours per week, 39 weeks per year (term time, plus non-pupil days)

The working pattern will be Monday to Friday 08:30am to 15:00pm with a 30 minute unpaid break.

Please note that we reserve the right to close this advert early should we receive an overwhelming response.

Some of your key responsibilities will include:

• Completing One Plans and Pupil Passports with students and parents.
• Being a Key Worker - supporting identified students in all areas of SEND.
• Supporting students with activities which support literacy and numeracy skills.
• Understanding specific learning needs and styles and providing differentiated support to students individually and within a group.
• Establishing positive relationships with students.

(The full details can be found in the attached Job Outline and Person Specification).

We're looking for you if you have:

• Full working knowledge of ICT to support learning
• Good reading, writing and numeracy skills
• The ability to exchange verbal information clearly and sensitively with children and adults
• The ability to use initiative and work without direct supervision, taking responsibility for tasks
• Understanding and can implement the school's behaviour for learning policy
• Commitment to the safeguarding of children and following relevant policies

Why work for The Sigma Trust, Philip Morant School & College?

We can offer you:

• A Competitive Salary
• Robust school CPD training programme that enables you to flourish
• Opportunities to work with colleagues across the Trust to share resources, ideas and build collaborative relationships

Employee benefits include:

• Excellent pension scheme
• A Health Cash Plan
• Free membership to Perkbox, offering discounts and savings
• Employee Assistance Programme providing free and confidential advice
• Cycle to Work scheme
• Eye care plan
• Annual free flu vaccination
• Discounted gym membership at selected local gyms
• Discounted cinema tickets
• Eligible for Blue Light Card
• Please note that an integration period applies to all new staff joining the Trust, to support introduction into the organisation.

Additional Information:

For additional information about the Trust and this school, please visit our website www.sigmatrust.org.uk

To Apply

To apply for this post, please follow the URL link provided below:

https://careers.sigmatrust.org.uk/Apply/U2lb00f0nbWEgQXBwbGljYXRpb24gRm9ybSBOb3ZlbWJlciAyMDIzfDQxfDcyMDE4NnwxfHxGYWxzZXwyMTIyfDQwNTIxNTF8MA%3d%3d?i=lRVuqNGqzYk%3d

Please note that only fully completed application forms will be accepted and any CV's and accompanying covering letters will be disregarded. A Notes for Applicants document is attached for further information.

Closing date: Midnight Wednesday, 25th June 2025

Shortlisting will take place on Thursday, 26th June 2025

Interviewing will take place on Wednesday 2nd July 2025

The Sigma Trust is committed to safeguarding and protecting the children and young people that we work with. As such, all posts are subject to safer recruitment process, including the disclosure of criminal records, online checks and other vetting checks. We ensure that we have a range of policies in place which promote safeguarding and safer working practice across our schools.

The Sigma Trust is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace. We are committed to equal employment opportunities regardless of any protected characteristics. This is embedded in our vision 'To Be Greater Than The Sum Of Its Parts', where we believe we are strong and more successful working together, creating a workplace which celebrates diversity.

Information about the School

We are a large secondary school in Colchester and also enjoy a thriving Sixth Form College. We are a popular School with waiting lists for every year and are proud of our strong academic record. We have an excellent and enthusiastic staff led by a strong senior leadership team and we work hard to provide an environment where every student is valued and their varying needs met. Our pastoral care is based upon a highly successful house system and ensures support both for students and parents.

Safeguarding The Sigma Trust is committed to safeguarding and protecting the children and young people that we work with. As such, all posts are subject to safer recruitment process, including the disclosure of criminal records, online checks and other vetting checks. We ensure that we have a range of policies in place which promote safeguarding and safer working practice across our schools.