Learning Support Assistant

Harris Invictus Academy Croydon is looking for a Learning Support Assistant to support individuals and groups of students at the academy, including those with SEND.

This will involve supporting learning in the classroom and attending to students’ personal needs where required, including social, health, physical, hygiene, first aid and welfare matters.
About Us
We Know. We Can. We Will.

We believe that when a school gives its students the confidence to believe they are capable of excellence, this is exactly what they go on to achieve.

Our ethos is grounded in the best traditions of hard work, good manners, smart uniform and academic achievement. We combine these with the best of modern teaching and technology. Class sizes are kept as small as possible and students will find that the atmosphere is disciplined and rigorous but also happy.

At Harris Invictus Academy Croydon, learning does not begin and end at the classroom door. Students regularly participate in after-school enrichment classes, activity days and educational visits. In addition to what they learn in the classroom, these activities help to bring learning alive.
Main Areas of Responsibility
Your responsibilities will include:

Supervising and supporting identified students in 1:1, group or whole class situations, ensuring their safety and access to learning in a purposeful and supportive learning environment.
Assisting in developing resources, schemes of work and teaching strategies, working with the teacher to ensure the provision supports learning needs.
Assisting in evaluating identified students’ progress and providing feedback on their achievements, progress and needs.
Leading small group sessions and interventions as appropriate.
Attending to students’ personal needs where required.
Supporting with behaviour management.
Undertaking learning activities/teaching programmes, adjusting activities to ensure achievement of learning goals.
Assisting with the supervision of students out of lesson times, including playtimes and undertaking lunchtime duty.
Supporting students with their learning and development in respect of local and national learning strategies.
Preparing the classroom for lessons, clearing afterwards and assisting with the display of students’ work.
Preparing and maintaining resources and assisting students in their use.
Undertaking record keeping as requested.
Establishing and maintaining positive relationships with parents/carers, gathering and reporting information as directed.
Providing administrative support as required.
Accompanying teaching staff and students on visits, trips and off site activities as required.
Qualifications & Experience
The successful candidate will have:

Qualifications to degree level or equivalent
Basic knowledge of SEND and learning barriers
Some knowledge of strategies in working with young people with challenging behaviours
Knowledge of some of the social issues facing students from disadvantaged backgrounds
Awareness of Health and Safety issues in the workplace
Experience of working directly with young people in an education or training environment, supporting the learning of students
Experience of establishing and maintaining positive working relationships with a range of stakeholders, at all levels
Experience of managing and being responsible for own workload
Good literacy and numeracy skills
Good interpersonal and communication skills, with an excellent standard of written and spoken English
Good administrative and organisational skills
Ability to interest, encourage, motivate and engage children
Ability to work effectively with team members across a wide range of levels and responsibilities
Good ICT skills, including a working knowledge of Microsoft packages and the ability to update records and databases.
Ability to work using own initiative, exercising good judgement where unsupervised
Flexibility of approach to work
Ability to maintain confidentiality, exercising tact and diplomacy
Next Steps
If you have any questions about this opportunity, please send us an email, or call to arrange a conversation.

Before applying, please download the Job Pack for full details on the job responsibilities and person specification. This will be helpful for you when completing your application, and throughout the recruitment process.

We encourage you to apply as soon as possible as we may interview and offer to a candidate before the closing date. Please note that we only accept applications submitted before the closing date via our careers website.
Professional Development & Benefits
Our people are at the heart of our success. We have developed a strong culture of collaboration and best practice, with professional development and career planning at its centre. We invest in our staff with support, coaching, mentoring, and a wide range of top-quality training programmes delivered at every level.

In addition to the opportunities for career development and progression, we also offer a competitive rewards and benefits package which includes our Harris Allowance for teachers on MPS/UPS, a Performance and Loyalty Bonus, Pension Scheme with generous employer contributions, a Wellbeing Cash Plan and many other benefits. Learn more about our benefits on our website.
Safeguarding Notice
The Harris Federation and all our academies are committed to ensuring the highest levels of safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people, and we expect all our staff and volunteers to share this commitment. All offers of employment are subject to an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check, references, an online search, and where applicable, a prohibition from teaching check will be completed.
Equal Opportunities
The Harris Federation is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applications from all suitably qualified candidates.

We value the diversity of our staff and students, and everyone at the Harris Federation is equally valued and respected. We aim to be an inclusive employer that reflects the communities we serve. We are committed to providing a fair, equitable and mutually supportive learning and working environment.