Learning Support Assistant

Full Job Description

How would you like to get paid for five days, but only work four?

At Outcomes First Group, we believe in better work/life balance — and we’re putting wellbeing first.

That’s why we’re proud to be part of a 4-Day Working Week (4DWW) trial, where you can work one day less each week (or equivalent hours), while still receiving your full-time pay.

Many of our schools have already introduced the 4DWW — and others are preparing to roll it out as soon as they reach full staffing. So whether it’s already in place or just around the corner, now’s the perfect time to join #teamOFG.

Job Title:  Learning Support Assistant
Location: Longdon Hall School, Lichfield, Staffordshire WS15 4PT
Salary:     £22,160.36 per annum (not pro rata)
Hours:      37.5 hours per week, Monday to Friday
Rota:        Monday: 8:30 am – 4:30 pm | Tuesday to Thursday: 8:30 am – 4:00 pm | Friday: 8:30 am – 3:45 pm
Contract: Permanent | Term Time Only
Start:        December 2025
UK applicants only – this role does not offer sponsorship

As part of our continued growth, Longdon Hall School, part of Acorn Education, is excited to offer a fantastic opportunity for a Learning Support Assistant to join our close-knit, passionate team.

About the Role

You’ll support teachers in delivering creative, tailored learning to meet the diverse needs of our pupils. Your efforts will help maximise each pupil’s achievement academically, socially, and emotionally in a supportive, inclusive environment.

This is an excellent opportunity for someone starting or continuing their career in education, particularly motivated to inspire learning in pupils with varied and complex needs. You’ll work in a school where safeguarding is paramount, pupils are respected and heard, and where quality is always our priority.

What You'll Do

• Support individual pupils and small groups, helping them engage and learn effectively
• Assist teachers with lesson planning and delivery
• Prepare classrooms and learning materials
• Build positive, trusting relationships with pupils to promote interaction and progress

While experience in an SEN/ASC setting is desirable, your motivation, support skills, resilience, and personal qualities are just as important. We welcome candidates from customer-facing backgrounds such as retail, hospitality, and leisure who want a role that truly makes a difference.

Requirements

• Educated to GCSE Grade C or above in Maths and English
• Full UK Driving Licence (preferred)
• Calm, engaging, and resilient
• Strong team player with excellent communication skills
• Motivated by helping pupils reach their full potential

You’ll be part of a supportive, forward-thinking team where your wellbeing matters as much as your professional growth. Whether you’re starting your career or bringing experience from SEN, ASC, or customer-facing roles, you’ll make a real difference every day, helping pupils thrive academically, socially, and emotionally.

About Us

Longdon Hall School is an independent specialist day school for boys and girls aged from 7 to 18, catering for pupils with a wide range of social, emotional, and mental health needs. Our dedicated team work together to ensure successful outcomes for pupils who often arrive at the school with a troubled view of education and life.

This opportunity is in Lichfield which is within commutable distance of Cannock, Burton upon Trent and surrounding areas.

We are part of Acorn Education and can offer plenty of challenges along with a wide range of opportunities to develop your career. Acorn Education is the UK’s leading provider of specialist education for children and young people with special educational needs. As part of Outcomes First Group, we are leading our sector in creating and delivering innovative approaches that achieve measurable outcomes for those in our care.

We are really proud to say that in 2024, Outcomes First Group were officially certified as a ‘Great Place to Work’ for the fifth year running.

Why join Acorn Education?

We place the outcomes of the pupils and vulnerable young adults in our services at the heart of everything we do, so you’ll wake every day in the knowledge that your role will have a significant positive impact on the lives of others.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of pupils and young people. All applicants will be subject to social media checks and successful applicants to a fully enhanced DBS.

Benefits

Your health and wellbeing are important to us, so you’ll get an exceptional reward package including:

• Life Assurance
• Pension scheme with options to increase your contributions
• “Your Wellbeing Matters” – access to a wide range of first-class mental health support services and physical health checks

And a market-leading benefit offering through our Flexible Benefits Platform, Vista, enables you to choose the package that’s right for you, including:

• A wide range of health, wellbeing, and insurance benefits
• 100’s of discount options valid in the UK and abroad
• Cycle to Work Schemes
• Electric Car Purchase Scheme
• Critical illness cover
• Family Growth Support - inclusive benefits package covering enhanced maternity and paternity leave, along with paid fertility treatment support.

We reserve the right to close the vacancy early if we receive a high volume of suitable applications.

*You’ll work 80% of your contractual hours for 100% of your pay, giving you more time to do the things that make you happy. 4DWW is subject to successful completion of probation and is not a contractual benefit

Outcomes First Group is committed to carrying out a fair, thorough and efficient recruitment process in line with Keeping Children Safe in Education. Whilst we aim to keep applicants informed throughout, Outcomes First Group does not accept liability for any loss of earnings or other associated costs incurred by applicants as a result of delays or changes in the compliance process. All stages of the compliance process are subject to necessary safeguarding checks and compliance with statutory requirements, which may affect timescales.

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