Learning Support Assistant

**Description**

Learning Support Assistant - Senior School

Overview

To assist in the learning and personal development of identified students to enable them to make best use of the educational opportunities available to them and promote independent learning.
- Location: You will be based at our Senior School, Bodiam
- Hours: 20 hours per week (term time only + INSET days)
- Line Manager: SENDCo

ISP Principles
- Begin with our children and students. Our children and students are at the heart of what we do. Simply, their success is our success. Wellbeing and safety are both essential for learners and learning. Therefore, we are consistent in identifying potential safeguarding issues and acting and following up on all concerns appropriately.
- Treat everyone with care and respect. We look after one another, embrace similarities and differences and promote the well-being of self and others.
- Learn continuously. Getting better is what drives us. We positively engage with personal and professional development and school improvement.

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Key Responsibilities

Responsibilities include:

- The LSA ensures that the students can effectively access the resources, are fully engaged to make a positive contribution to their own learning journey and develop their independent skills.
- Effectively communicating with teaching staff on the needs of the students and the curriculum and contributing in the creation of a collaborative plan to support the learning outcomes of identified students.
- For the key student, be the central point of contact for parents and outside agencies.
- Working with teaching staff to adapt differentiated learning materials to meet the needs of identified students.

Skills, Qualifications and Experience
- Have GCSE, ‘O’ Level or equivalent qualifications in maths and English.

Person Specification

Training:

- Be competent in using a computer (Microsoft Office, Google platform etc.)

Personal qualities:

- Have experience of working with children in a school setting
- Have knowledge and understanding of the different social, cultural and physical needs of SEND pupils.
- Have an interest in how pupils learn and behave.
- Provide appropriate role models of behaviour both in the classroom and around school
- Be productive and show initiative.
- Work effectively with other adults in the school and wider community.
- Have patience with pupils who find conforming to rules and expectations difficult.

You must be able to:

- Undertake tasks under the direction of the Class Teacher, SENDCo, Deputy Principal or Principal.
- Plan and prioritise tasks and work under the pressure of a busy inclusive school.
- Communicate effectively and appropriately to the SEND pupil(s)
- Motivate SEND pupil(s) to learn and to be sociable
- Assist with the organisation of the learning environment.
- Maintain records of the SEND pupil(s)
- Have patience, be flexible and innovative with a clear understanding of how SEND pupil(s), who find learning new concepts and remembering taught concepts difficult, might behave.
- Respect and maintain confidentiality but have regard to the safeguarding protocols of information sharing where necessary.
- Be able to carry out tasks and responsibilities as directed by the Principal, Deputy Principal, SENDCo or class teacher.
- Attend training courses considered appropriate for the post.

Supporting the pupil:
You will be looking after a limited number of key students in terms of their overall personal and academic learning outcomes. In order to promote independence and lifelong skills within the classroom, you will also support a group of students identified by the SENDCo and teacher.
- Being able to support SEND pupil(s) l in the classroom and online as some SEND pupil(s) maybe isolating at home
- To provide learning support for SEND pupil(s) in 1:1 situation or small group scenario
- To aid the SEND pupil(s) to learn as effectively as possible both in group situations and on their own by, for example:

- Clarifying and explaining instructions
- Ensuring the SEND pupil(s) can use equipment and materials provided
- To give positive encouragement, feedback, and praise to reinforce and sustain the SEND pupil(s) efforts and develop self-reliance and self-esteem
- To develop knowledge of the needs of the pupil and seek advice from the SENDCo, parents, class teacher and outside agencies as required.
- To aid access to the full range of learning experiences both inside and outside the classroom and provide modified materials as required e.g., worksheets, games, visual prompt cards etc.
- To support the SEND pupil(s) in developing social skills both in and out of the classroom
- To support the SEND pupil(s) with the recommended exercises from his Occupational Therapist, with the view to use the gym on a weekly basis
- To support the use of ICT in learning activities
- To provide regular feedback on the pupil's progress and learning to the SENDCo, tutor and parents, including feedback on the effe