At a Glance
- Tasks: Support students with special needs in their educational and welfare journey.
- Company: Join Sir Charles Parsons School, an outstanding secondary school for students with profound learning difficulties.
- Benefits: Enjoy excellent professional development opportunities and a supportive team environment.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in students' lives while working in a dynamic and forward-looking school.
- Qualifications: Enthusiasm, teamwork skills, and a commitment to student welfare are essential.
- Other info: Fixed term until March 2026, with training provided and a focus on safeguarding.
The predicted salary is between 24000 - 33600 £ per year.
This is a Foundation School which is part of a Trust; the employer will be the Governing Body of the School.
Sir Charles Parsons School
Westbourne Avenue Walker
Newcastle upon Tyne
NE6 4ED
Fixed term post until 31st March 2026.
Sir Charles Parsons School is a secondary school (11 – 19) catering for students who experience significant and profound learning difficulties. This includes students whose behaviour may at times challenge those supporting them. The school was judged by Ofsted to be an ‘outstanding school’ after its last five inspections in October 2006, June 2010, March 2015, January 2019 and July 2024.
Due to the school’s continued growth and increasing student numbers we are looking to appoint a number of support staff to join our team.
Candidates should be:
- Enthusiastic and keen to support and develop new initiatives;
- Able to work effectively as a members of a team with educational and other professionals, both from within and outside the school;
- Committed to improving the provision offered to our students through rigorous professional self review and development; and;
- Resilient and able to focus on finding solutions to the issues and problems experienced in any school.
Successful applicants will join a school:
- with a friendly, supportive team ethos;
- that provides excellent professional development opportunities;
- which is dynamic, forward looking and constantly challenging itself to further improve the quality of its provision.
All necessary training to enable the successful candidates to fulfil the responsibilities of their posts will be provided.
Learning Support Assistants – Special Needs support the educational and welfare needs of students across the school. The post is graded at N5 with a pro-rata annual salary.
The above post is offered on the following basis: 36 hours per week, term time plus 5 training days.
Candidates should note the working hours for this post includes working until 4.40 p.m. every Monday and until 5.10 p.m. on either a Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday.
The school is strongly committed to safer recruitment practice and pre-employment checks will be undertaken before any appointment is confirmed. All posts are subject to enhanced disclosure and barring service checks. We expect all adults to share our commitment to safeguarding and the health and wellbeing of our students and staff.
As a disability confident employer, we are committed to employing disabled people and people with health conditions making reasonable adjustments to support disabled applicants when required.
Job descriptions, person spec and application forms are downloadable from the school’s website at www.scp.newcastle.sch.uk or available from and returnable to Mrs. Deborah Lant, School Business Manager at deborah.lant@scp.newcastle.sch.uk or telephone number 0191 2952280.
Closing Date: Friday 19th September 2025 at 12 (noon)
Interviews will be week commencing 29th September 2025. #J-18808-Ljbffr
Learning Support Assistant (Special Needs) employer: Newcastle City Council
Contact Detail:
Newcastle City Council Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Learning Support Assistant (Special Needs)
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the specific needs of students with profound learning difficulties. Understanding their challenges and how to support them effectively will show your commitment and readiness for the role.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with current or former staff at Sir Charles Parsons School. They can provide valuable insights into the school culture and expectations, which can help you tailor your approach during the interview.
✨Tip Number 3
Demonstrate your enthusiasm for professional development. Research any training opportunities related to special needs education and be prepared to discuss how you would apply this knowledge in your role.
✨Tip Number 4
Prepare examples of how you've successfully worked as part of a team in challenging situations. Highlighting your resilience and problem-solving skills will resonate well with the school's ethos.
We think you need these skills to ace Learning Support Assistant (Special Needs)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role: Read the job description carefully to understand the specific responsibilities and requirements of a Learning Support Assistant in a special needs environment. Tailor your application to highlight relevant experiences and skills.
Highlight Relevant Experience: In your CV and cover letter, emphasise any previous experience working with students who have special educational needs. Include examples of how you've supported their learning and welfare.
Show Enthusiasm and Commitment: Express your passion for supporting students with learning difficulties. Mention any initiatives you’ve been involved in that demonstrate your commitment to improving educational outcomes for these students.
Proofread Your Application: Before submitting, thoroughly proofread your application for spelling and grammatical errors. A well-presented application reflects your attention to detail and professionalism.
How to prepare for a job interview at Newcastle City Council
✨Show Your Enthusiasm
Make sure to express your passion for supporting students with special needs. Share specific examples of how you've positively impacted students in the past, as this will demonstrate your commitment to their development.
✨Highlight Teamwork Skills
Since the role requires working effectively with a team, be prepared to discuss your experiences collaborating with educational professionals. Mention any successful initiatives you’ve been part of and how you contributed to them.
✨Demonstrate Resilience
Be ready to talk about challenges you've faced in previous roles and how you overcame them. This will show that you can handle the complexities of working with students who may exhibit challenging behaviour.
✨Commit to Professional Development
Discuss your willingness to engage in ongoing training and self-improvement. Mention any relevant courses or workshops you've attended, and express your eagerness to learn and grow within the role.