About the role

Learning Support Assistant (Reception and SEND)

Term Time Only

This new opportunity has arisen to join our fantastic Reception Team, reflecting our strong commitment to staff wellbeing, professional development and inclusive practice.

We are seeking to appoint a positive, proactive and adaptable Learning Support Assistant to join our dedicated and supportive team. This is an ideal role for someone who enjoys working collaboratively and is passionate about helping young children flourish both academically and socially.

You would be joining Ickleford Primary School at an exciting time. Following extensive regeneration and refurbishment work, our beautiful village school now benefits from significantly enhanced indoor and outdoor learning environments, including a newly refurbished Reception classroom designed to inspire curiosity, creativity and a love of learning.

This role is not a traditional 1:1 support position. Instead, you will work as part of our Reception team alongside the class teacher and Early Years Practitioner, supporting a range of children across the provision, including those with SEND. The successful candidate will provide flexible support through adult-led learning, child-initiated play, small-group interventions and targeted provision, helping all children to access learning and make progress.

As a proud Voluntary Controlled Church of England school, we welcome applicants who are supportive of our Christian vision and values.

Our Vision

We aspire to build a happy and inclusive community underpinned by core Christian values and those shared by other faiths. This will enable us to nurture resilient pupils with a passion for lifelong learning, ensuring everyone's potential is fulfilled.

As recognised in our recent SIAMS inspection:

"The school's Christian vision is lived out through deeply caring relationships, creating a nurturing environment where every member of the school community is valued and enabled to flourish."

We are looking for someone who:

• Has experience of working with young children, ideally within Early Years experience

• Has experience of supporting children with SEND or additional needs.

• Has high expectations of themselves and the children they work with.

• Can build positive relationships and engage children through high-quality interactions.

• Understands the importance of learning through play and child development.

• Can work flexibly as part of a team, responding to the changing needs of the children and provision.

• Has a sound understanding of safeguarding and child protection responsibilities.

• Can establish positive relationships with children, families and colleagues.

• Is committed to inclusion and ensuring every child can thrive.

• Brings warmth, positivity, flexibility and a good sense of humour to the role.

We can offer:

• Wonderful children who are enthusiastic, caring and eager to learn.

• A newly refurbished Reception classroom and enhanced learning environment.

• A well-resourced and highly regarded working environment.

• The opportunity to work alongside highly skilled teachers and Early Years practitioners.

• An incredibly supportive and collaborative school community.

• Friendly, welcoming and dedicated colleagues who genuinely care for one another.

• The opportunity to work closely with a Headteacher, Senior Leadership Team and Governing Board who share a clear vision for the future of the school.

• A strong commitment to your professional development, wellbeing and career progression.

• Access to high-quality training and relevant professional development opportunities to enhance your role and future career aspirations.

Application Process

When completing your application, please provide evidence of how you meet the essential and desirable criteria within the Person Specification. We are particularly interested in examples of how you have supported children's learning, development, communication, independence and inclusion within the classroom environment.

Please also include details of all relevant qualifications, training and professional development, particularly in relation to SEND, safeguarding, behaviour support, speech and language, Early Years practice, emotional wellbeing and any other training relevant to the role.

Safeguarding

Ickleford Primary School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff, volunteers and visitors to share this commitment.

We are committed to safer recruitment practices and all appointments are subject to satisfactory pre-employment checks, including references, online/social media checks, an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check and, where applicable, a prohibition from working with children check.

We are looking for someone who shares our belief that every child deserves to feel valued, included and able to flourish.

Visits to the School

Visits to the school are warmly encouraged and provide an excellent opportunity to experience our welcoming community, meet members of the Reception team and see our newly refurbished learning environment in action.

To arrange a visit with the Headteacher, Mrs Sarah Wright, please contact the School Office on 01462 459150 or email [email protected].

Further information about the school can be found on our website.