Learning Support Assistant

**Main Purpose of the Job**
**To be part of a team with the teachers and other assistants in the Learning Support Department and to help children access the curriculum in various ways. Especially those students that are particularly weak in literacy, numeracy and basic organisation skills. With this role there is an opportunity to provide support to an individual student.
**Duties and Responsibilities**

Your duties will include, but may not be limited to:

- **
**Early morning mentoring 8-8.40am
- To be aware of the students on the SEN register and their particular needs, mentoring a small number of students each year under the direction of the SENCO.
- To go into classes to support specific students/groups of students identified by the SENCO as needing help.
- To actively support students by intervening to contribute to their progress where barriers exist
- To ensure that they are aware of the requirements of the class teacher prior to the lesson.
- To help children have access to the curriculum in various ways which may include:

- working on a one to one basis with a student under the direction of the SENCO;
- working with a group under the direction of the SENCO;
- benchmarking students using assessment materials;
- checking that students understand instructions given by the class teacher;
- checking that students are copying correctly into their books;
- checking that students are recording information regarding homework correctly into their diaries;
- encouraging students to use dictionaries/spell checkers;
- helping students with organisational skills;
- helping with project work;
- helping students access, select and organise information.
- To track students through observation notes and contribute to Student Annual Reviews where necessary.
- Responsibility for casework, student mentoring, parental liaison and contact, keeping records, IEPs as necessary
- To have regular meetings within the department to report on and evaluate the methods being used to help students.
- Supporting students off-site on vocational courses
- Other duties as specified by SENCO

**Safeguarding Responsibilities**
- To comply with safeguarding policies, procedures and code of conduct
- To demonstrate a personal commitment to safeguarding and student/colleague wellbeing
- To ensure that any safeguarding concerns or incidents are reported appropriately in line with policy
- To engage in safeguarding training when required
- The job holder’s responsibility for promoting and safeguarding the welfare of children and young persons for whom s/he is responsible, or with whom s/he comes into contact, will be to adhere to and ensure compliance with the School’s Child Protection and Safeguarding Policy at all times.
- If in the course of carrying out the duties of the role, the job holder identifies that a child is suffering, or likely to suffer, significant harm either at school or at home, s/he must report any concerns to the school’s Designated Safeguarding Lead or the Head Teacher so that a referral can be made accordingly to the local authority social services.
**Person Specification**
**Essential**:
Excellent communication skills
Good organisational, inter-personal and literacy skills
**Desirable**:
Experience with learning difficulties especially dyslexia
Experience of English as an Additional Language
Familiar with Microsoft Office packages including Word and Outlook
Ability to support in numeracy and / or science

**Hours**:8am - 3.35pm Monday to Friday term time only
- _Gordon’s School is a State Boarding and Day School and is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment - applicants must be willing to undergo appropriate screening including a DBS check._