Learning Assistant 2

The School

Join one of Warwickshire's highest-performing schools and make a genuine difference to young people's lives.

Alcester Academy is a highly successful 11-16 secondary school with approximately 647 pupils on roll, located between Studley and Stratford-upon-Avon. We are proud of our strong reputation for academic excellence, innovation and our supportive school community.

At our most recent Ofsted inspection in 2026, the school was judged to be Strong in all areas and Exceptional for Personal Development. Our Progress 8 outcomes have consistently placed us amongst the highest-performing non-selective schools in Warwickshire and within the top 5% of schools nationally. However, while we are proud of our results, we are equally proud of the inclusive culture we have created, where every pupil is known, valued and supported to succeed.

We have a higher-than-average number of pupils with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND), with needs spanning all four broad areas of need. The largest proportion of these pupils are neurodivergent learners. Inclusion sits at the heart of our school, and we are committed to ensuring that all pupils receive the support they need to flourish academically, socially and emotionally.

Our Learning Assistant team is a particular strength of the school and was recognised positively by Ofsted. The team works collaboratively with teachers, pastoral staff, families and external professionals to help remove barriers to learning and promote independence. Learning Assistants play a vital role in our success and are highly respected and valued by colleagues across the school.

As a member of our Learning Support team, you will join a welcoming, experienced and supportive group of professionals who genuinely care about one another and the young people they work with. We are looking for individuals who:

Are committed to helping young people achieve their potential

Thrive as part of a team whilst also working independently

Are proactive, resilient and solution-focused

Build positive relationships with pupils and colleagues

Can adapt to meet a range of individual needs

Share our commitment to developing pupils' independence and preparing them for life beyond school

This is a fantastic opportunity for someone who wants to make a tangible difference every day while developing valuable experience within a successful and inclusive school.

Further information about Alcester Academy can be found on our website, Alcester Academy, including details of our curriculum and wider school life. You can also follow us on Twitter/X @AlcesterAcademy to gain a flavour of our vibrant school community and see our pupils and staff in action.

If you are passionate about supporting young people, enjoy working in a collaborative environment and want to be part of a school where Learning Assistants truly make an impact, we would be delighted to hear from you.

Learning Support at Alcester Academy

Working under the supervision of the responsible teacher, assist and support teaching and learning, working with individuals or groups, and assist in providing general care, safety and welfare for pupils.

The Post

This is a term time only post working 39 weeks per year (incl. 5teacher training days) as a 1:1 Learning Assistant. We are particularly interested in hearing from applicants with experience of planning and running intervention sessions with children and monitoring progress within these. Alongside supporting a range of special educational needs specifically neurodivergence, including autism, ADHD and dyslexia.

This is a temporary post for 12 months in the first instance with a view to becoming permanent after this period.

The Application Process

Please complete an Alcester Academy application form which can be found on our website https://www.alcesteracademy.org.uk/academy-information/vacancies. A written statement in support of your application will be accepted but we do not consider CVs. Please send your completed application to [email protected].

We will be reviewing applications and inviting to interview at regular intervals.

Interviews TBC. Alcester Academy reserve the right to appoint before the deadline for a suitable candidate.

If you have any questions with regard to this vacancy or wish to visit the school, please contact: [email protected].

We reserve the right to follow up references provided in person.

Alcester Academy is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Enhanced DBS disclosure is required for appointment to this post. In line with safeguarding procedures, all shortlisted candidates will be subject to an online search prior to interview. This forms part of our safer recruitment checks.

We look forward to receiving your application.

KEY TASKS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Curriculum Support

• Contribute to curriculum planning and evaluation and assist in implementation.
• Assist in the delivery of lessons; interact with the teacher and pupils as required.
• Undertake agreed learning activities, adjusting activities according to pupil responses.
• Support the use of ICT in learning activities and develop pupils’ competencies.
• Share expertise with colleagues.

Learning Support

• Planning interventions recommended from in-house assessment, professional reports, EHCPs – relevant to the focus children.
• Delivering interventions – identifying objectives for the sessions and monitoring progress towards these.
• Reflecting upon progress with the children and staff, preparing feedback for parents.

Pupil Support

• To establish a supportive relationship with pupils.
• Support individuals or groups with independent/group work.
• Support for whole classes as needed.
• Promote inclusion and acceptance of all pupils.
• Assist with the development of Pupil Profiles.
• To develop methods of promoting/reinforcing pupil’s self-esteem.
• Identify, report and intervene positively in uncharacteristic behaviour patterns.
• Support pupils to learn as effectively as possible by:
• clarifying and explaining instructions.
• helping pupils to cope with the literacy and numeracy demands of the curriculum.
• motivating and encouraging pupils.
• helping pupils to concentrate upon and access work set in lessons.
• ensuring the pupil can use equipment safely.
• meeting physical needs as required.
• encouraging pupils to become independent learners.
• helping to develop social skills – using emotion coaching and PACE techniques
• assisting with the supervision of SEND pupils when required on school trips.

Teacher Support

• To assist the Teacher in devising and producing adapted materials and teaching.
• Assist with the lesson/activity planning, delivery and evaluation.
• Contribute to pupil assessment through observation and reporting.
• Active involvement in day-to-day management of the learning environment.
• To monitor the progress of pupils and keep appropriate records.
• To contribute to Pupil Profiles and reviews.
• To attend Profile and EHCP review meetings if appropriate.
• Support the implementation of strategies to help manage pupil behaviour.
• Undertake appropriate administrative tasks as required.
• Assist with pupil supervision on trips off the premises, under the overall guidance of the teacher.

School Support

• Have an up to date understanding of the role and responsibilities of a Learning Assistant.
• To work as part of a team.
• To liaise with parents and professionals as required.

Health and Safety

• To ensure the school meets its Health and Safety responsibilities with regard to Data Protection guidance and legal requirements.
• Ensuring all visitors comply with safeguarding requirements.

This job description is intended to be a broad outline of duties and is not intended to be exhaustive. The post holder will be expected to take on other duties and responsibilities commensurate with the grade of the post as reasonably directed by the Head Teacher.

Please note our clear expectations regarding personal and professional conduct of staff and the safeguarding of pupils:

Our staff are expected to demonstrate consistently high standards of personal and professional conduct. The following statements define the behaviour and attitudes which set the required standard for conduct:

Staff uphold public trust in the teaching profession and maintain high standards of ethics and behaviour, within and outside school, by:

• treating pupils with dignity, building relationships rooted in mutual respect, and at all times observing proper boundaries appropriate to the professional position held.
• having regard for the need to safeguard pupils’ well-being, in accordance with statutory provisions.
• showing tolerance of and respect for the rights of others.
• not undermining fundamental British values, including democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty and mutual respect, and tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs.
• ensuring that personal beliefs are not expressed in ways which exploit pupils’ vulnerability or might lead them to break the law.

Staff must have proper and professional regard for the ethos, policies and practices of the academy, and maintain high standards in their own attendance and punctuality.

Staff must have an understanding of, and always act within, the statutory frameworks which set out their professional duties and responsibilities.

In addition to the roles covered within this document, all members of staff are expected to undertake any other task reasonably requested by the Headteacher.

Elements of this job description may be negotiated at the request of either party and with the agreement of both.

The position is to primarily support an individual student with special education needs both within the classroom and on a one to one basis.

Funding follows this student and therefore this is a temporary contract for 1 year in the first instance.

PLEASE NOTE THE FULL JOB PACK INCLUDING THE PERSON SPECIFICATION AND PRIVACY NOTICE FOR APPLICANTS IS AVAILABLE ON OUR WEBSITE www.alcesteracademy.org.uk

PLEASE APPLY USING OUR APPLICATION FORM WHICH IS AVAILABLE ON OUR WEBSITE. UNFORTUNATELY, CVs WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED.

Pay: £22,254.00 per year

Benefits:

• On-site parking

Work Location: In person