Skip to main content
Teaching AssistantSEN

SEN Learning Support Assistant

The Palmer Primary Academy · Reading · Reading

Job description

The Palmer Primary Academy wish to appoint a Special Education Needs Learning Support Assistant .The Learning Support Assistant role is vital to the school and involves supporting children with a variety of needs including Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCP’s). We are particularly interested in speaking to individuals who have a background in Speech and Language, ADHD, SEMH and Autism.

SEND Learning Support Assistants are an important valued member of the teaching team. As well as working directly with the children’s teacher, the LSA is encouraged to use his/her own initiative and skills to enhance the quality of teaching and learning for the children.  

 In particular, successful applicants should have: 

At least one years experience of working with SEND children in the primary age range 

Experience of working with children in a friendly, busy environment 

An understanding of children with SEN needs 

Level 2 qualification in play work/childcare  

Paediatric first aid qualification (desirable) 

Knowledge of child safeguarding procedures 

Have a sympathetic understanding of the emotional, social and intellectual needs of children with special

educational needs 

Motivated to work with children with special educational needs and to inspire confidence in them 

You should:

Be calm, patient and have good listening skills

Have the ability to build effective relationships with students, parents and other staff 

Be reliable, trustworthy, discreet and able to maintain confidentiality

The ability to relate in a firm and friendly way with a wide range of personalities 

The ability to use initiative 

Be willing to undertake direction and guidance 

Have a good understanding of behaviour management strategies 

Be able to work as part of a team

For further information about the role come and visit our school! To book your visit or for an informal discussion, please contact the school office. School visits are encouraged but are by appointment only.

Why Work with REAch2 Academy Trust?

Join REAch2 Academy Trust, one of the UK's largest primary academy trusts, with a mission to unlock the potential of every child, regardless of their background. Here’s why joining our team can be an exciting and fulfilling career choice:

  • Excellence & Development: We prioritise high standards and offer extensive professional development and career growth opportunities.

  • Supportive & Collaborative: Be part of a strong, collaborative community of over 60 schools where every voice is valued, and best practices are shared.

  • Well-being Focus: We promote a healthy work-life balance and offer robust well-being support for all staff.

  • Diversity & Inclusion: We celebrate diversity and believe that varied perspectives strengthen our schools.

  • Innovation & Impact: Bring creativity to the classroom and make a real difference in children’s lives.

  • Making a difference: Working with REAch2 means contributing to something bigger than yourself. You’ll be helping to shape the lives of young learners, making a meaningful impact on communities and future generations.

Join us to grow your career, collaborate with passionate educators, and make a lasting impact on future generations.

Benefits

We offer a range of benefits to support your career and well-being:

  • Generous Annual Leave: healthy work-life balance.

  • Professional Development: Access diverse CPD and training opportunities to grow your skills.

  • Flexible & Family-Friendly: We are committed to supporting flexible working and requests will be considered on an individual basis, including options such as part time, term-time, home working, and other options that work for both the employee and the Trust.  

  • Exclusive Discounts: Benefit from Blue Light Card offers and employee perks.

  • Well-being Support: Receive comprehensive well-being and employee assistance for you and your family.

Join REAch2 for a rewarding career with great benefits!

Safeguarding, Safer Recruitment and Data Protection 

At REAch2 we recognise that those who work in an academy are in a unique position in their care of children. The responsibility for all staff to safeguard pupils and promote their welfare, as stated in Section 175 of the Education Act (2002) is one that is central to our ethos, our policies and our actions. All children are deserving of the highest levels of care and safeguarding, regardless of their individual characteristics or circumstances, and we are committed to applying our policies to ensure effective levels of safeguarding and care are afforded to all our pupils.  

We will seek to recruit the best applicant for the job based on the abilities, qualifications, experience as measured against the job description and person specification. The recruitment and selection of staff will be conducted in a professional, timely and responsive manner and in compliance with current employment legislation, and relevant safeguarding legislation and statutory guidance. An enhanced DBS disclosure will be requested for all successful candidates, including a Children's Barred List check if the role meets the criteria for regulated activity.

For more information about our safer recruitment processes, please click here for our Safer Recruitment Policy.

All information is stored securely, and any information supplied by unsuccessful candidates will be destroyed through a confidential waste system six months after the decision has been communicated, in accordance with our information and records retention policy. 

The Trust ensures all applicant data is stored and processed appropriately. For further details on how your information will be managed during the recruitment process please refer to our Privacy Notice for Job Applications.  

Apply now

Applications are handled on Teaching Vacancies (GOV.UK).

About this school

The Palmer Primary Academy

Academy sponsor led · Primary · Ages 3–11

Good
Pupils
442
Avg teacher salary
£48,906
Pupil:teacher ratio
28.5:1
Academy trust
REACH2 ACADEMY TRUST

Average (mean) teacher salary · DfE School Workforce Census 2024/25

View full school profile

Ofsted rating key

OutstandingGoodRequires ImprovementInadequateNot rated

Not rated= no current Ofsted judgement — typically a new school, a recently-converted academy not yet inspected, or a school type Ofsted doesn’t grade.

Location

Loading map…

Reading, Reading, RG2 7PP

Advertisement

More jobs in Reading

View all →
Site / Catering

River Academy · Reading

Catering Assistant
PermanentPart time£9,335.35 · · Grade 3 SCP 5. 16 hours TTO plus 2 INSET days. £25,583 ( FTE)
Closes tomorrowView & apply
Teaching Assistant

Meadow Park Academy · Reading

1:1 Teaching Assistant
PermanentFull time£24,796 - £28,142 (FTE) · · NJC SCP3 to 11, Term Time Only - pro rata
Closes in 2 daysView & apply
Teaching Assistant

Ranikhet Academy · Reading

Learning Support Assistant (LSA)
PermanentPart time£20,745 - £22,820 · · NJC England & Wales SCP 5 – 11 (£25,583-£28,142)
Closes in 3 daysView & apply
Site / Catering

Park Lane Primary School · Reading

Premises Manager - Park Lane Primary School
PermanentFull time£33,699 to £36,363 Per year
Closes in 6 daysView & apply
Support StaffScience

Highdown School and Sixth Form Centre · Reading

Science Technician
PermanentPart timeGLF Associate 3, Point 1-9, £20,374 - £21,826
Closes in 6 daysView & apply
Admin / HR

Maiden Erlegh School in Reading · Reading

Administrative Support Assistant - Pastoral
PermanentPart time£21,362 · · Grade 4 ( SCP 7-11) Term Time Only plus 5 INSET days. FTE £26,402
Closes in 7 daysView & apply

Advertisement

Salary
£21,430.00 - £23,574.00 Annually (Actual) NJC England & Wales SCP 5 - SCP 11 (£26,427 - £29,071)
Contract
Permanent
Working pattern
Part time
Posted
7 September 2026
Closing date
18 September 2026

Not the one for you?

Keep looking — there are plenty more teaching jobs in England.

Browse all teaching jobs in England