Learning Support Assistant

St John’s has long enjoyed a national reputation for the exceptional quality of education and care it provides, most recently evidenced by its excellent ISI inspection report. Further details of the school’s unique ethos and aims are included at the end of this document. St John’s is a special place that fully lives up to its billing in the Good School Guide: ‘This is a fine school where children are highly motivated and magically happy.’

We are currently advertising for a part-time Learning Support Assistant (LSA) to work with a child on the Autistic Spectrum in Year 2. The role is for 15 hours per week, preferably 9:05 - 12:05 daily, but that there is some flexibility open to discussion.

This role is for a fixed term, from December 2024 to 09 July 2025.

The role of a Learning Support Assistant at St John's includes the following:

• To reinforce the teaching objectives on a 1 to 1 or small group basis, under the direction of the teacher, in order to provide support and differentiation within the classroom.

• To assist teachers in the provision of a full range of stimulating activities adapted to the needs of an individual child.

• To work with teachers, adapting work for individual children

• To carry out objectives from children’s Assess Plan Do Reviews (APDRs).

• To assist in promoting the physical, intellectual, emotional and social development of children in their care.

• To observe and support the children socially during play, reporting significant events to the Teacher.

• To communicate and collaborate effectively with teachers and parents.

• To attend Staff Meetings and Year Group meetings where appropriate, to share information about the children’s progress and the planning of activities.

• To attend relevant courses and in-service for career enhancement.

• To undertake any educational duties or activities, over and above those described, deemed appropriate by the Head of the Learning Support department.

• To prepare and adapt materials for learning.

• To help to prepare resources before the start and at the end of each term.

• To help gather information and contribute to reviews for the children

• To observe the children to gain an understanding of triggers and effective strategies

• Under the guidance of the Sensory Needs Practitioner, to support the children by doing a range of sensory activities throughout each day

• To support the children with emotional regulation, through co-regulation, removing them from the classroom for the space to calm as needed or intervening to help prevent a melt-down

• To teach the children using specific interventions, such as ‘Zones of Regulation’ and help them to use these when needed (training will be given)

• The duty of care towards the pupils applies to a member of staff throughout the school day, and it is expected that the successful candidate will take an interest in the pupil's areas of activity, within and beyond the formal curriculum, inside and outside of the classroom.

Remuneration

• The actual annual salary for this fixed term, 15 hours/week contract is £8,894.40 per annum.

Applications

A handwritten letter of application should be sent with a fully completed application form (see ‘The Application and Recruitment Process at St John’s’) to the HR Officer, St John's College School, 73 Grange Road, Cambridge CB3 9AA, or email to recruitment@sjcs.co.uk .

References will be taken up and short-listed candidates will then be invited to the final interview procedure, which will involve tours of the school, meetings with staff, the teaching of an observed activity and an interview, which will include questions related to safer recruitment.

All reasonable interview expenses will be reimbursed by the School.

The selected candidate will be expected to undergo a confidential pre-employment health assessment prior to confirmation of appointment. The assessment will be carried out by an independent occupational health consultancy.

St John’s College School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children.

Applicants must be willing to undergo child protection screening appropriate to the post, including checks with past employers and the Disclosure and Barring Service.

All appointments are subject to a criminal background check and proof of qualifications in accordance with the requirements of the Children Act.