At a Glance
- Tasks: Support learners with complex needs in a nurturing classroom environment.
- Company: Cornbank Primary School, dedicated to inclusive education.
- Benefits: Fixed-term contract, competitive salary, and professional development opportunities.
- Other info: Join a supportive team and gain valuable experience in education.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in the lives of children with special needs.
- Qualifications: Basic literacy and numeracy skills; experience in childcare preferred.
The predicted salary is between 19229 - 19229 £ per year.
This Learning Assistant Post is for our Acorn class which comprises of 8 learners with complex needs. The class is supported by one class teacher and 2 learning assistants.
KNOWLEDGE
Evidence of basic literacy and numeracy at Standard Grade General level or SVQ2 in Early Years Care and Education, or National Certificate unit in Childcare & Education, or equivalent competency, to enable the jobholder to communicate effectively with staff and pupils, and provide sensitive support. The jobholder must be familiar with child development and able to respond to the needs of individual pupils. Jobholders should have previous experience of working in this field of work. To be fully competent in the role, jobholders will be required to undertake additional training courses e.g. first aid, calm techniques etc. If the post is within a Nursery Environment then the jobholder must be registered with or obtain membership with the SSSC within 6 months of appointment. In order to register, you must currently hold the relevant qualifications or be willing to work towards attaining these qualifications within the first year of registration.
CLOSING DATE - Monday 25th May 2026
INTERVIEW DATE - Tuesday 2nd June 2026
Requirements
- Position Title: Learning Assistant ASN
- Position Number: SPCJ030
- Directorate: Children, Young People and Partnerships
- Working from Home: No
- Location: Cornbank Primary School
- Contract Status: Fixed Term until 28/6/2027
- Hours of Work: 27.5 hours per week
- Working Pattern: Mon-Thurs 8.30am-3.15pm & Fri 8.30am-12.15pm
Please note that it is Midlothian Council's policy that successful applicants will be appointed to the first point on the salary scale. Based on 27.5 hours over 39 weeks per year, the minimum actual salary for this position is £19,229.64 per annum.
Responsibilities
This post is considered Regulated Work with Children under the Protection of Vulnerable Groups (Scotland) Act, 2007. Therefore, it is an offence to apply if you are barred from working with children. Successful candidates will require PVG Scheme membership for Regulated Work with Children. You will be required to join the Scheme or undergo a PVG Scheme Update check prior to commencing employment with Midlothian Council, the cost of which will be met by you.
For further information on the PVG Scheme please visit www.disclosurescotland.gov.uk.
Please note that Disclosure Scotland has changed the way PVG certificates are issued. You will be notified by email from Disclosure Scotland that your certificate is available to view. Once you have viewed your certificate you will be allowed to share this with your employer and it is only available for 14 days from the first day you have viewed the certificate. If you do not grant access to Midlothian Council to view before access is removed, a further application will need to be generated, and this will incur an additional cost.
The Individual
If you have difficulty applying for this post or accessing attached documents, or if you have a disability and reasonable adjustment is required, please email recruitment@midlothian.gov.uk to discuss with a member of the Recruitment Team stating the post reference number.
Midlothian Council is currently undergoing a period of transformation, changing and improving the way it delivers services in Midlothian. As a consequence, there are a number of existing employees for whom we are committed to seeking suitable alternative employment within the Council in accordance with our legal obligations. Candidates are advised that, for some vacancies, internal candidates in this situation will be interviewed before the wider selection pool and a slightly longer delay may be experienced before application outcomes can be advised to you.
Thank you for your patience in this matter. If you are a trainee of a Midlothian Council Training Programme, have a disability or you are a care experienced young person who has previously been a looked after child, you are eligible for a guaranteed interview if you meet the essential criteria for the post.
Learning Assistant ASN - Cornbank Primary School - MID07479 employer: Midlothian Council
Contact Detail:
Midlothian Council Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Learning Assistant ASN - Cornbank Primary School - MID07479
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the school and its values! Research Cornbank Primary School and understand their approach to supporting learners with complex needs. This will help you tailor your responses during interviews and show that you're genuinely interested in being part of their team.
✨Tip Number 2
Network like a pro! Connect with current or former staff members on LinkedIn or through local education forums. They can provide insider tips about the school culture and what they look for in a Learning Assistant, giving you an edge in your application.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for the interview by practising common questions! Think about how your experience aligns with the role's requirements, especially around child development and supporting individual needs. We recommend doing mock interviews with friends or family to boost your confidence.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the easiest way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we often have additional resources and tips available there to help you stand out from the crowd. Don’t miss out!
We think you need these skills to ace Learning Assistant ASN - Cornbank Primary School - MID07479
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion: When writing your application, let your enthusiasm for working with children shine through. We want to see that you genuinely care about supporting learners with complex needs and are excited about the opportunity to make a difference.
Tailor Your Experience: Make sure to highlight any relevant experience you have in education or childcare. We’re looking for evidence of your skills in supporting individual pupils, so be specific about your past roles and how they relate to this position.
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application straightforward and to the point. Use clear language and avoid jargon. We appreciate a well-structured application that makes it easy for us to see why you’d be a great fit for the Learning Assistant role.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way to ensure we receive all your details correctly. Plus, it helps us keep everything organised as we review applications.
How to prepare for a job interview at Midlothian Council
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of child development and the specific needs of learners with complex needs. Familiarise yourself with relevant qualifications and training, like first aid or calm techniques, as these will likely come up in conversation.
✨Show Your Experience
Be ready to share specific examples from your previous work in similar roles. Highlight how you've supported children with complex needs and what strategies you've used to communicate effectively with both pupils and staff.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect to be asked how you would handle various situations in the classroom. Think about real-life scenarios where you had to adapt your approach to meet individual needs, and be prepared to discuss these in detail.
✨Ask Thoughtful Questions
At the end of the interview, don’t forget to ask questions! Inquire about the support structure at Cornbank Primary School, the training opportunities available, or how they measure success in the Acorn class. This shows your genuine interest in the role and the school.