Cullum Learning Support Assistant & Keyworker

35.5 hours per week • Term time only (38 weeks per annum)

Our Learning Support Assistants play a vital role in assisting students with differing needs and abilities to maximise their potential and achievement. This role would suit someone, with or without existing experience, with a desire to make a difference to the life chances of students. In addition, if you are a graduate and considering teaching, this would be an excellent start to your career.

If teaching is your goal we can offer hands on experience and excellent CPD streams, students keen to learn and a supportive team of colleagues.

A positive and flexible approach is essential. Other qualities required include patience, excellent communication and motivational skills, and being able to work collaboratively as part of a supportive team building good relationships with colleagues and students. Experience of supporting students or relevant qualifications are advantageous although full training will be offered to the right candidate.

A desire to actively contribute to the learning, personal and social needs of students, while encouraging independence is required. Key duties will include assisting and advancing learning of identified students in a range of settings including working 1:1 and supporting within class.

We are looking for someone to work Monday to Friday across the school day: 8.00am to 3.45pm Monday to Thursday and 8.00am – 3.00pm on Fridays (35.5 hours per week). The actual starting salary for 35.5 hours per week, for 38 weeks per annum, is £18,598.

Hinchley Wood School is an ‘Outstanding’ (Ofsted, 2023), inclusive and high achieving school on the borders of South West London. Oversubscribed each year, we have 1,355 students on roll including 253 in our Sixth Form. We are one of the top 100 performing schools in England and Wales in terms of the progress our students make between the end of Key Stage 2 and their GCSEs. Hinchley Wood School has been ranked 18th in the Sunday Times Top Comprehensive Schools (2023). 

Testimony from a recent joiner to the Cullum team:

“I joined Hinchley Wood Secondary School with no knowledge of what autism was or any of the other terms thrown at me. The team are incredibly supportive and were happy to assist with any questions I had. The focus on making this an inclusive community extends to staff as well as children and that was a factor in taking a permanent role here. The role of LSA is challenging and I am constantly learning, which can only benefit me. I feel lucky to be part of a school that fosters a supportive, collaborative and inclusive environment. They want me to succeed as much as the children.”

 Testimony from an LSA of two and a half years:

“Being a Learning Support Worker at HWS is a rewarding role, I love the fact that I can make a difference to the children not just academically but socially and emotionally also. Although the job can be challenging, it only adds to the sense of reward when I see the progress the children make. One of the things I enjoy the most is being part of a fantastic team. We work together to create a supportive and inclusive environment for the students. It's amazing how we collaborate and share ideas to ensure that each child's unique needs are met. The school itself is a wonderful place to work. The positive atmosphere and the dedication of the staff make a difference to our students learning. Seeing the impact we have on the students and their families add to the sense of reward.”

If you have a strong desire to help students of all abilities achieve the best they can, whilst fulfilling your own potential, then we would love to hear from you. You would be joining a supportive, committed and experienced team who work hard to ensure the best outcome for our students.

We take staff and student wellbeing very seriously and have invested time and money in ensuring that all members of our school feel supported and happy. In addition to working in an Ofsted Outstanding school, we offer:

We offer:

• Family friendly term time working;
• a competitive salary and annual performance progression;
• professional development support; 
• two week autumn half term;
• on site gym and cycle to work salary sacrifice scheme;
• membership of the Local Government Pension Scheme with generous employer contribution.

Please contact us if you have any questions prior to applying or would like to visit. You can contact our HR team on 020 8398 7161 or email us at hr@hinchleywoodschool.co.uk.

Closing date: Friday, 11 October 2024

We welcome early applications and we reserve the right to interview, and appoint prior to the application deadline if we believe that the right candidate has come forward so, please do get. your application in as soon as you make the decision that Hinchley Wood is the right place for you.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. The position advertised is subject to an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service Check. Staff and governors have also established a code of conduct, included within this pack, which applies to all members of the school community.