Job Description

Learning Support Assistant

Required as soon as possible

£19,882 to £20,199 actual annual salary (Point 7-8 Essex Scale 4)
32.5 hours per week (Monday to Friday 8.30 am - 4.00 pm) Ÿ Term time only

Our Special Educational Needs (SENDCO) Department, is integral to the ongoing success of the school, and our Learning Support Assistants (LSAs) are a vital part of the team. We are looking for excellent LSAs to help us to empower our KS3 and KS4 SEN students to fulfil their potential.

The role will involve:

· Working, under the instruction/guidance of the SENDCo and teaching staff, to undertake responsibilities, to enable access to learning for students;

· Assist the teacher in the management of students and the classroom. Work may be carried out in the classroom or outside the main teaching (not during lesson time);

· Supervise and provide particular support for students, including those with special needs;

· Establish constructive relationships with students and interact with them according to individual needs;

· Promote the inclusion and acceptance of all students;

· Encourage students to interact with others and engage in activities led by the teacher;

· Set challenging and demanding expectations and promote self-esteem and independence;

· Provide feedback to students in relation to progress and achievement under guidance of the teacher.

In order to achieve this, you will need to have:

· A good standard of education (Maths/English GCSE grade A* to C/4 or equivalent);

· A commitment to high standards of achievement from students and yourself;

· Excellent organisational skills and competence in common IT applications;

· Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to act on your own initiative;

· An enthusiastic, can-do attitude with a good sense of humour.

We can offer you:

• An extensive programme of relevant CPD for all staff.

• Working with a committed, hardworking and supportive team with the desire to raise student achievement even further.

• A strong emphasis on staff well-being and free access to external support agencies if needed.

• Free eye test vouchers for all staff.

• Cycle to work scheme.

• Very modern facilities, set in acres of grounds, located in a leafy suburb of Southend-on-Sea.

You will become part of a positive, aspirational and fun team that values the contribution of its LSAs.

Our ethos is focused on ensuring all of our students achieve their full potential. The school's focus on achievement is the same as at every Partnership Learning School. The atmosphere is disciplined and rigorous but also happy and caring.

Please note that the school can only consider completed Applications returned directly to the email address below and not CVs alone.

This is a public facing role and the successful candidate must speak fluent English.

Training will be provided and you will be expected to participate in ongoing professional development.

Closing date for applications: Monday, 8 September, 2025 at midday (late applications may not be considered)

The school reserves the right to appoint a suitable candidate before the closing date.

Shortlisted candidates will be contacted by close of play on Thursday, 11 September, 2025.

Please assume that you have not been successful on this occasion if you have not heard within that time frame.

In line with recommended practice in the statutory guidance "Keeping Children Safe in Education", the school will conduct searches for information on shortlisted candidates which is publicly available on-line.

Please visit www.southchurchschool.com to download an Application Form. Alternatively contact the School by telephone on 01702 900777 or e-mail hr@southchurchschool.com with your contact details. Completed Application Forms should be e-mailed to hr@southchurchschool.com.

We are committed to the safeguarding and promoting the welfare of students and operate safer recruitment practices we expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. The suitability of all prospective employees will be assessed during the recruitment process in line with this commitment. You will be asked to provide documentation, if shortlisted for interview, as proof of your identity and qualifications. All offers of employment are subject to an Enhanced DBS check, Right to Work, pre-employment health check questionnaire and satisfactory references. If you have lived in a country other than the United Kingdom, clearance from this country will also be requested and a certified translation may be required.

Information about the School

Southchurch High School is an oversubscribed 11-16 mixed comprehensive school. We are fortunate to be housed in a spacious, modern building, one wing of which has been recently refurbished. We have recently moved into our new 4 court Sports Hall. These developments have helped to give the School a very positive future.

Southchurch High School is situated near one of Southend's many attractive Victorian conservation areas. The area benefits from being very close to the lively Southend town centre as well as a short walk from the attractive Cliff Gardens and the seafront.

Southend also benefits from superb transport links, the School is a short walk from Southend East train station on the Fenchurch Street line and Southend Victoria, on the Liverpool Street line, is just a short bus ride from the School. Both rail lines are less than an hour away into London. Southend also benefits from excellent road links and the rapidly developing London Southend Airport which flies to a growing number of destinations throughout Europe.

Southend is a lively thriving town with seven miles of seafront (with a number of Blue Flag beaches), the world's longest pleasure pier (1.25 miles in length!), a busy shopping centre, many diverse places to eat and drink, a world class diving and swimming centre and plenty of cultural offerings including two theatres and a number of museums and galleries.