Learning Support Assistant - The Guardian : Job Details

About Us

Are you ready to change the world? Harris Science Academy East London is a new, small school with big ambitions. We are in the top 3% of schools nationally for year on year improvement and in the top 20 most improved schools in London. Join us on our mission to help our children become leaders in their chosen field with many leading in science and to become one of the top schools in the UK.

This is no ordinary school. Situated in an eclectic array of buildings next to the renowned Three Mills Studios (location of BBC's Masterchef) amongst the iconic East London canal network, this is a unique setting to provide a life changing education for the children of East London.

We believe we will succeed in this mission through a relentless focus on the basic functions of a high performing school:

• Unified leadership and alignment behind a powerful mission.
• Exemplary student behaviour.
• A well-taught, unapologetically academic education for all children.
• Regular opportunities for character development.

Every member of our school community is a leader. We believe that leadership does not have to be macho or at the expense of others. Our values of GRACE help us to achieve success in a collegiate and sustainable way:

• Growth – the belief that we can always improve and that feedback from others is essential for our development.
• Responsibility – we own our decisions and recognise when we need to put things right or make a change.
• Ambition – the belief that access to the top grades, the best universities and elite careers are available for our children.
• Compassion – we are kind to others and grateful for what we have.
• Excellence – we prioritise doing the basics well day after day, so we build habits that lead to success.

The school joined the Harris Federation in September 2022. The Harris Federation is the most successful large multi-academy trust in the UK and the only large trust where disadvantaged students secured a positive progress score in 2022. We are hugely proud of the work we do to support the most vulnerable children in the UK. The Federation has made a significant financial investment in the Academy, with upgrades to Sixth Form provision, buildings and IT. The Federation subject consultants provide industry leading support to middle leaders to deliver the best education possible for all children across the Federation.

If you are aligned, driven and committed to doing what works, this is an excellent opportunity to join an organisation undergoing rapid transformation.

Main Areas of Responsibility

As Learning Support Assistant, your responsibilities will include:

• Attending to the child's personal needs and implementing related personal programmes, including social, health, physical hygiene and welfare matters
• Working with the class teacher and Inclusion Manager to support the implementation of person centred planning and targets for SEND children
• Liaising with appropriate external SEND or health professionals to ensure that advice on provision for individual SEND children is effectively implemented
• Supervising and support SEND children ensuring their safety and access to learning
• Establishing good relationships with all children, acting as a role model and being aware of and responding appropriately to individual needs
• Promoting the inclusion and acceptance of all children

As part of making reasonable adjustments, it will sometimes be necessary to direct LSAs to support children's intimate care needs in line with the academy Intimate Care Policy and to maintain their health, safety and personal dignity.

Qualifications & Experience

We would like to hear from you if you have:

• Qualifications to GCSE Level standard or equivalent
• Knowledge and understanding of pupils with social and emotional difficulties that may impact upon their behaviour
• Ability to communicate effectively and clearly both verbally and in writing
• Knowledge of Microsoft software
• Some knowledge of some of the social issues facing students from disadvantaged backgrounds

For a full job description and person specification, please download the Job Pack.

Professional Development & Benefits

Our people are at the heart of our success. We have developed a strong culture of collaboration and best practice, with professional development and career planning at its centre. We invest in our staff with support, coaching, mentoring, and a wide range of top-quality training programmes delivered at every level.

In addition to the opportunities for career development and progression, we also offer a competitive rewards and benefits package which includes our Harris Allowance for teachers on MPS/UPS, a Performance and Loyalty Bonus, Pension Scheme with generous employer contributions, a Wellbeing Cash Plan and many other benefits. Learn more about our benefits on our website.