SLCN/EAL (English as an Additional Language) Specialist Learning Assistant in Crawley

Southgate Primary School is delighted to offer a permanent opportunity for a caring, skilled and committed practitioner to join our inclusive and forward-thinking team. In this specialised role, you will play a vital part in supporting pupils with Speech, Language and Communication Needs (SLCN) and those learning English as an Additional Language (EAL), helping them to thrive socially, emotionally and academically.

Your opportunity

Working flexibly across the school, you will deliver targeted interventions, create personalised communication resources and collaborate closely with teachers and specialist staff to ensure every child can access the curriculum and reach their full potential. If you are passionate about enabling meaningful progress for all learners and want to make a real difference every day, we’d love to hear from you. The successful candidate will be responsible for providing tailored support to pupils with Speech, Language and Communication Needs (SLCN) and those learning English as an Additional Language (EAL), delivering targeted individual and small-group interventions to develop communication, language and social interaction skills.

What we're looking for:

• Good general education, including GCSE (or equivalent) in English and Maths.
• Experience supporting children with Speech, Language and Communication Needs (SLCN) and/or pupils learning English as an Additional Language (EAL).
• Training in speech and language support (e.g., ELKLAN) or EAL-specific training.
• Ability to deliver structured, targeted interventions with guidance.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to build positive, supportive relationships.
• Calm, flexible and professional approach when working across different age groups.
• Clear understanding of safeguarding, confidentiality and inclusive practice.
• Knowledge of language development or second-language acquisition.

Desirable:

• Experience using communication systems such as visuals, symbols or Makaton.
• Ability to speak an additional language.

About Southgate Primary School

Our school sits within a newly established cluster of schools, overseen by a Regional Director. Along with Southgate Primary School, our cluster includes the following other schools: Forge Wood Primary School, Kilnwood Vale Primary School, Greenway Junior School, Salfords Primary School, Lime Tree Primary School, Merstham Primary School. This is an exciting opportunity to work collaboratively with colleagues across this cluster, to share expertise and experience, ensuring all children in our schools receive an excellent education and reach their potential. It also provides opportunities for career progression across the cluster and gives you the chance to further your professional development.

Join the GLF Schools Community

As a part of GLF Schools, you will join a community of staff dedicated to transforming education. With regular progression discussions, there will be a wealth of opportunities for you to grow your career, whether in one of our 43 academies or in our central team.

• A Multi Academy Trust with over 2,500 colleagues and over 19,000 pupils.
• Founded upon the values of Respect, Inclusivity, Integrity and Kindness.
• 43 primary and secondary schools across 7 Local Authority areas across the south of England.
• We work as a community whilst ensuring each school maintains its own unique identity.
• Committed to ensuring all children and young people receive the best possible education.

GLF Schools Employment Offer

GLF Schools has a generous employment offer, which allows all our colleagues to Grow, Learn and Flourish:

• Access to our highly competitive Local Government Pension Scheme.
• Flexible working options.
• Generous holiday allowance.
• Work life and family friendly policies.
• Employee wellbeing initiatives.
• Career pathways and talent management.
• Access to a staff benefits portal.
• Community and collaboration working model.

The Details

Start Date: ASAP
Salary: GLF Specialist - £27,061
Actual Salary: £23,442.08
Hours: Term Time Only (39 Weeks) - Monday to Friday 8.15am-3.45pm Mon, Tues, Thurs, Fri and Wed 8.15am-5.00pm
Closing Date: 22 February 2026

Safeguarding Statement: GLF Schools is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Employment is subject to a satisfactory enhanced disclosure from the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS). As a Trust, we are happy to discuss flexible working opportunities. GLF Schools recognises and celebrates the diversity of its schools and their communities. There is a shared commitment across the Trust to develop further a culture of respect, where discrimination is not tolerated, and individuals are treated equitably and fairly and feel a sense of belonging. We strive for an inclusive environment where staff, children and students are comfortable to express their own identity, should they wish, in which diversity and inclusion is of mutual benefit for everyone in our schools. We particularly welcome applicants from under-represented groups including those based on ethnicity, gender, transgender, age, disability, sexual orientation or religion.

We reserve the right to withdraw this vacancy at any time ahead of the closing date if there is a good level of response. Therefore, we recommend you submit your application as early as possible. We also reserve the right to interview shortlisted candidates ahead of the closing date. Please be advised that references may be requested on receipt of your application. Please state if you wish this to be delayed until shortlisting/interviews have taken place.