Key Role Information

Salary
£21,450pa. This post attracts a Living Wage supplement. In addition to the hourly rate, this post will receive the Living Wage supplement to bring the hourly rate up to a minimum of £13.45 an hour.*
Job type
Full Time
Contract type
Permanent
Closing
02/07/2026 09:00
Interview
Date to be confirmed
Contract term
TTO - Term time only
Pay grade
Support Staff | 5 - 5
Department
SEN
Key stage
Key Stage 3, Key Stage 4
Hours per week
37.00
Weeks per year
43.650
Visa sponsorship
No

Your Role

We are seeking to appoint an experienced and energetic Learning Support Assistant to take a leading role in supporting students to ensure they have access to a full curriculum within the classroom at all times. The range of needs of students you will work with is varied from medical, SEN and EAL. The role will be varied and interesting, working with a wide range of stakeholders to provide high-quality support focused on maximising the outcomes for all students who need support. The role will involve working closely with the SENCO, Assistant SENCO and HLTA’s to support the school offer for all students, but particularly vulnerable students.

The role will involve establishing constructive relationships with students and staff alike, and communicating with other professionals and parents in liaison with the teacher, SENCO or Assistant SENCO, to support the achievement and progress of pupils.

At Jesmond Park Academy, the school has a SEND cohort of 250 students and an EAL cohort of 600 students, with a small proportion of those students also needing support with their behaviour and social interaction.

A good knowledge of the professional standards for teaching assistants and strategies in relation to effective TA deployment within a classroom would be beneficial. The person appointed will have an excellent track record of supporting students improve their skills through 1:1 work and potentially small group interventions. They may have primary or secondary school experience, and a high level of literacy, numeracy and excellent ICT skills will be required to join a successful Student Support Team


If you would like to discuss this vacancy further, or you are unable to complete the online application form and require this in another format please contact us by email: recruitment@gosforthgroup.org.uk or telephone: 0191 429 9797, option 4.

Applications are shortlisted for interview as they are received, and so early application is encouraged. We reserve the right to commence the interview process and close the vacancy prior to this date. 

The Trust is committed to equality, inclusion and diversity and welcomes applications from all suitably qualified candidates.

Qualifications

essential
Current First Aid qualification desirable

Skills

Abilities, Skills and Knowledge

Excellent oral and written communication skillsessential
Effective organisation and management skillsessential
Sympathetic understanding of the broad needs of students aged 11-16essential
Ability to maintain paper and electronic recordsessential
Ability to converse as easy with students and provide advice in fluent and accurate spoken Englishessential
Able to work under own initiativeessential
Ability to advise and monitor development and performanceessential
Ability to form effective professional relationships with a wide range of contactsessential
Able to work under own initiativeessential
Ability to plan own workload and meet deadlinesessential
Ability to motivate studentsessential
Knowledge of the requirement of the National Curriculum
Knowledge of the wide range of agencies working in the areas of learning support

Experience

Experience of working with children and young peopleessential
Experience of supporting children and young people with their intimate care needsessential
Experience of working in a school environment
Experience of providing learning support to students
Ability to respond positively and effectively to unexpected problems and situations

Personal Attributes

Empathy for children and young people facing barriers to their learningessential
Ability to form and maintain appropriate relationships and personal boundaries with studentsessential
An interest and commitment to the whole school community
A commitment to child protection and safeguarding

Qualifications

Good general education with English and maths Grade C or above (or equivalent)essential
NVQ Level 2 or 3 for Teaching Assistants or equivalent qualification (or experience)

About Us


Jesmond Park Academy

Dawn Coffell

dawn.coffell@gosforthgroup.org.uk

Jesmond Park West
Gosforth
Newcastle
Newcastle upon Tyne
NE7 7DP

Safeguarding Information

This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and the amendments to the Exceptions Order 1975, 2013 and 2020.  This means certain spent convictions and cautions are ‘protected’. Further information about filtering offences can be found in the DBS filtering guide and you can view our Policy on the Employment of Ex-offenders on our website within Trust Policies.    

Gosforth Group are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. We will ensure that all our recruitment and selection practices reflect this commitment. References will be requested prior to interview for those candidates shortlisted. The successful candidate will be subject to an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check, along with other relevant pre-employment checks.