Learning Support Assistant

Learning Support Assistant – Job Vacancy

1-year Fixed term contract (with the possibility to extend)

Monday to Friday 8.15 a.m. to 3.00 p.m. 29.6 hours a week

Job .4s Grade 6 SCP 6-9 – £13.47 to £14.13 per hour

Term time only plus 5 Staff Training Days

Do you have an interest in supporting young people with complex communication needs to achieve their full potential?

If so, then read on to find out more……

An exciting opportunity has arisen for an enthusiastic, conscientious Learning Support Assistant to join our school community working within our Specialist Resourced Provision supporting students with Complex Communication Needs.

Starting September 2026
, we are looking to appoint a team member who is hardworking, enthusiastic, compassionate and can relate well to young people. Ideally you would have experience in inclusion and working with students with additional needs.

This is a varied role, supporting specific students within the Inclusion Hub and within mainstream classes.

Applicants should:

• Relate well to young people
• Be dedicated to ensure the students’ needs are met
• Be understanding of students’ additional educational needs
• Have high expectations; demonstrating a commitment to excellence to supporting young people to achieve their potential
• Able to work as part of a small team
• Demonstrate qualities of discretion, empathy, good personal organisational skills and time-keeping
• Excellent communication skills, patience and a positive approach
• A reflective practitioner, willing to collaborate with others and seek and accept advice
• Ability to be flexible with their approach, as no two days are the same
• Able to remain calm in the event of sudden changes; modelling and promoting emotional regulation and the ability to co-regulate to support our students
• Willing to engage in ongoing professional development
• Be advised this can be a physically demanding role
• Have GCSE (or equivalent) Maths and English A*-C/9-4 (essential requirement)

What Ferndown Can Offer You:

• CPD opportunities and training and development programmes.
• Personalised induction, supported by a mentor.
• Eligibility to join the Local Government Pension Scheme.
• Access to health and wellbeing support.
• Private Healthcare Cashback Plan including 24/7 access to a GP by phone, gym discounts, cashback for optical, dental and other appointment expenses for employees and their children.
• Access to staff benefits and discounts portal through Dorset Council.

To find out more about this role or to arrange a visit, please email: …

Closing date for applications: midnight, Sunday 28 th June 2026

Job title: Classroom Teaching Assistant

Job : XS 10.4

Grade: XS 10.4 Dorset Grade 5 / XS 10.4s Dorset Grade 6 (Special School or Specialist Unit only)

Reports to: Head of SEN / SEN Co-ordinator (SENCO) / Head of Learning Resource Base / Principal or Supervisory TA / Class Teacher

• To support the teaching and learning processes.
• To assist the SENCO/Principal TA (PTA) in developing, implementing and managing individual/group pupil learning strategies aimed at the management of pupil behaviour, establishing and maintaining relationships with individual pupils and groups in support of pupils in learning activities, continuous review and development of the postholder’s professional practice, inclusivity of pupils with identified SEN needs.
• Under the guidance of direction of the teacher/SENCO/PTA: develop, maintain and apply knowledge and understanding of pupils’ general and specific learning needs, ensuring that support is given to them at an appropriate level.
• Teaching support is delivered individually and in groups through a range of tasks, mainly: supporting and directing literacy and numeracy tasks, clarifying and explaining instructions; focus support in areas needing improvement both academic and social.
• To support the use of ICT in the classroom and work with and support pupils to ensure they are able to use ICT and other specialist equipment to enhance their learning.
• Motivate and encourage pupils to concentrate on and fulfil the tasks set.
• Undertake learning activities with pupils of varying abilities to ensure differentiation and access to the curriculum.
• Seek…