Learning Support Assistants

Learning Support Assistants Required for Secondary Phase

32.5, or 37 hours per week available

Term time only (39 weeks includes five days training)

Start date: 20th August 2026

Do you want to be part of a vibrant, diverse school community that offers equity of opportunities to a range of children and young people? Do you want to support children and young people to be valued members of the wider community? Do you want to develop children and young people to be successful in learning and life by developing their independence skills? If the answer to these questions is yes then Dorothy Goodman School could be the place for you.

We are currently recruiting for Learning Support Assistants to work with pupils at Dorothy Goodman within our Secondary and Primary phase. This is an ideal position for someone wishing to work in a school to gain additional experience before following a career in teaching, educational psychology or speech and language therapy.

Salary ranges - Grade 5 - £25,191.00 to £25,590.00

32.5 or 37 hours per week available

32.5 hours per week (Actual starting pay - Grade 5 £18,938.07)

or 37 hours per week (Actual starting pay - Grade 5 £21,560.27)

Term time only (39 weeks includes five days training)

What we need from you:

• Positivity

• Good communication skills

• Ability to work as part of a team and independently

• Flexibility

• Resilience

• Ability to build positive relationships with a range of pupils

What we can offer successful candidates:

• Comprehensive induction training that develops skills, knowledge and understanding of a broad range of SEND

• An understanding of:

• The importance of aspiration for all pupils in education

• Advocacy and how to ‘listen to and hear’ young people

• Teaching and learning strategies that support academic achievement

• Cognition and Learning & Communication and Interaction and strategies to support pupils working at a range of levels

• Support from:

• Specialised Engagement teams to develop skills to support pupils

• External professionals to develop an understanding of learning and meeting the needs of pupils (working with Educational Psychologists, Occupational Therapists, Speech and Language Therapists, Therapeutic services)

• Committed teams of staff at all levels across the school who understand the needs of pupils

At our school, individual differences are recognised and respected but are never seen as a barrier to achievement. By adapting the curriculum and teaching methods we ensure that our pupils have every opportunity to succeed both academically and socially. We also work with young people who have significant challenging behaviour and with those who have severe medical needs, and so candidates need to be prepared to adopt a problem-solving approach to the challenges that those young people bring. Our practice is constantly evolving to meet the needs of the school community.

Nurture and respect leading to independence are at the heart of our work and your commitment to our values and ethos as a school are crucial.
The post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and subject to a check being carried out at an Enhanced level by the Disclosure and Barring Service regarding any previous criminal record.

OTP is committed to promoting equality, challenging discrimination and providing opportunities for people with disabilities. We are an inclusive Trust that strives to provide an environment where everyone feels welcome and valued.

For any potential applicants, we would like to encourage you to inform us of any additional support or adjustments you may need throughout the recruitment process. We welcome you contacting us at any point should you feel uncomfortable declaring a disability, to reassure you that we are here to support.

Open Thinking Partnership shares a commitment to safeguard and promote the welfare of children and young people. Our commitment is underpinned by robust processes and procedures that seek to maximise opportunity, minimise risk and continuously promote a culture that embraces the ethos of safeguarding amongst our workforce.

Closing date: 7th August (at Midday)

Interview dates to be confirmed

Induction Training dates to be confirmed