Learning Support Assistant (1:1)

Learning Support Assistant 

Contract Type: Named Child

Part-time: 26 – 30 Hours (dependant on experience)

Salary: X30 – X34, Actual Salary £14,330 to £14721 (dependant on experience)

The Foundation is looking for either two 13-15 hour employees or one 26-30 hour employee.

Durham Cathedral Schools Foundation comprises of two prestigious schools which date back to the early 1400s: Chorister School and Durham School.

Situated in the historic city of Durham, our schools have a rich tradition of academic excellence and holistic education, rooted in the values of community, heritage, and innovation.

We provide a nurturing environment where students thrive academically, socially, and personally, preparing them for successful futures.

Key Functions

To work mainly with children with SEND in their curriculum studies. To help them make progress in their learning and maintain social and emotional wellbeing. The post holder will work alongside teachers, other colleagues and parents. They will support and monitor the progress of children, embed best practice and help to provide a safe and caring environment for learning.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Work closely with teachers to monitor the learning of children and identify appropriate  learning support strategies that best meet their needs.
• Develop an understanding of the specific needs of the child/ children and employ effective strategies to meet their individual learning needs.
• Assess needs, plan and deliver clearly structured teaching and learning activities that interest and motivate  children advancing their learning. Review children’s progress.
• Help children make progress in their learning in a range of classroom settings, including working with  individuals, in small groups and whole class groups.
• Use behaviour management strategies, in line with school policies and procedures.
• Support pupils to understand instructions and support independent learning.
• Under the guidance of a teacher, monitor, assess and record pupil progress/activities.
• Provide feedback to pupils in relation to attainment and progress with the guidance from the teacher.
• Support learning by arranging/providing resources for lessons/activities that are in line with health and safety requirements.
• Support pupils in their social development and their emotional well-being. Reporting problems to the teacher as appropriate;
• Establish a supportive relationship with children and parents/carers.
• Share information about pupils with other staff, parents /carers, as appropriate and in line with school policies and procedures.
• Contribute to pupils plans and reports.
• Support the work of volunteers and other teaching assistants in the classroom.
• Support the use of ICT in the curriculum.
• Undertake pupil record keeping and maintenance of records as requested.
• Assist in escorting and supervising pupils on educational visits and out of school activities.
• Provide supervision at lunch and break times as required.
• Organise and maintain a clean, safe and tidy learning environment, activities and resources.
• Assist pupils with eating, dressing and hygiene, as required, whilst encouraging independence.

• Provide basic first aid, if appropriate, ensuring timely referral to the health service in emergency situations.

Support for the School

• Be aware of, and comply with, policies and procedures relating to safeguarding/child protection, confidentiality and data protection. Reporting all concerns to an appropriate person.
• Show a duty of care to pupils and staff and take appropriate action to comply with health and safety requirements at all times.
• Be aware of and support difference and ensure that pupils have access to opportunities to learn and develop.
• Contribute to the overall ethos, work and aims of the school.
• Maintain good relationships with colleagues and work together as a team.
• Appreciate and support the role of other professionals.
• Attend relevant meetings as required.
• Participate in training and other learning activities and performance development as required.
• Demonstrate and promote commitment to equal opportunities, the inclusion of all pupils and to the elimination of behaviour and practices that could be discriminatory.

Personal Specification can be found here. 

Application forms can be downloaded from the school website.

Completed applications should be returned directly by email to Principal@dcsf.org.uk

Closing date: Thursday 27 June, noon

Interview date: Tuesday 2 July

The Foundation is committed to promoting the safeguarding of children and expects all employees to share this commitment. Any job offer will be made subject to satisfactory checks, including an enhanced DBS disclosure. Durham Cathedral Schools Foundation is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applications regardless of age, gender, race, religion, disability, or sexual orientation.