Learning Support Assistant in Grays

Position Type: Teaching/Child Support

Pay Range: £17,814

Position Start Date: 15/06/2026

Contract Type: Full-time/Part-time

Contract Term: Permanent

Application Close: 05/06/2026 Midnight

Date of Interviews: to be confirmed

Location: Treetops Learning Community, Buxton Road, Grays, Essex, RM16 2WU

Hours: 27.5 hrs per week - 45.8 weeks per year (1 extra paid week after 5 years of service)

The Trust: In March 2025, Treetops School was judged by Ofsted to have maintained the standards identified at the previous inspection. The previous inspection was in February 2020, at which time Treetops was judged as Outstanding. Treetops Free School, which officially opened in September 2022, was judged Good in its first Ofsted inspection in March 2024.

Students: Students throughout Treetops Learning Community have complex needs varying from moderate to severe learning difficulties, which may include speech and communication difficulties, autism and global developmental delay.

The Role:

• Play a key role within a class team, working collaboratively towards shared aims and positive outcomes for young people.
• Work under the direction of class teachers to support learners with severe and complex needs.
• Provide skilled support for learners with severe learning, communication, social, sensory, and/or physical difficulties.
• Contribute actively to class team discussions and professional meetings with colleagues.
• Use your skills flexibly across the school as directed by leaders to meet the needs of all young people.
• Play a role in safeguarding and follow procedures for reporting concerns effectively.
• Build positive relationships with learners, respecting their uniqueness, choices, and preferences.
• Listen to and value the voices and experiences of young people.
• Interact with compassion and respect when working with learners, parents/carers, and staff.
• Take responsibility for your own wellbeing, attendance, and punctuality.
• Be open to using your skills flexibly and to engaging positively with new changes and initiatives.
• Exemplify school standards and values in your practice.
• Work towards whole‑school targets linked to your role.
• Promote the school's vision and values.

Duties:

• Contribute effectively to the class team and follow support strategies to help meet each learner's personal curriculum targets.
• Support specific learning needs by delivering differentiated programmes to groups or individuals.
• Implement planned learning activities under the guidance of the class teacher, adjusting tasks in response to learners' engagement and needs.
• Provide helpful feedback to teachers and Senior Learning Support Tutors.
• Assist in preparing, organising, and maintaining classroom materials and resources.
• Support learners' personal needs, including social, welfare, health, personal care, and mobility support.
• Carry out additional care tasks for individual learners once fully trained and directed by qualified staff.
• Promote positive learning experiences in line with school policies and expectations.
• Contribute to gathering and evaluating evidence of learner progress over time.
• Support learning activities beyond the classroom, including community visits.
• Assist with swimming sessions for groups or individual learners.
• Provide physical support to learners during curriculum activities as required.

General responsibilities:

• Participate in training and ongoing professional development.
• Follow all responsibilities and reporting requirements related to health and safety.
• Attend relevant school meetings as required.
• Maintain confidentiality and follow the staff code of conduct.
• Understand and apply all school policies, including those relating to safeguarding, health, safety, and welfare.
• Follow school procedures for reporting absences and requesting planned leave.
• Support the school's commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people.
• Any other duties as deemed necessary by the Pathway Lead or Headteacher.

Shortlisting and Interviews: All shortlisted candidates will be invited to the school for a taster session, to experience the role first hand before being considered for interview. Closing date for applications: Friday 5 June 2026. Interviews: various dates.

Recruitment requirements: The governing body is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share in this commitment. All posts are subject to an enhanced DBS check, a medical check, satisfactory references, and the successful completion of a 6-month probationary period.

Equal Opportunity: All appointments are subject to safer recruitment requirements to ensure the safeguarding of children and young people. All positions will involve appropriate checks and clearances.