Learning Support Assistant – No Experience Necessary | Maternity Cover

Full Job Description

At OFG we believe in creating a better work life balance

Job Title: Learning Support Assistant (Maternity Cover)
Location: Crookhey Hall School, Cockerham, Lancaster, LA2 0HA
Hours:      37.5 per week | Monday to Friday | 8.30am to 4.00pm
Salary:      £22,160.62 per annum (not pro rata)
Contract:  Fixed term until July 2027 | Term Time Only
Start:        ASAP
UK applicants only – no sponsorship available

About the Role

Looking for a Career with More Purpose? You don’t need years of classroom experience to make a difference to a young person’s life.

At Crookhey Hall School, we’re looking for a caring, positive and resilient Learning Support Assistant to join our team on a maternity cover contract. If you’ve worked in care, support work, youth work, coaching, residential care or another people-focused role, your skills could be a great fit for specialist education.

You’ll work with pupils who need a little more support to engage with education, build confidence and recognise what they’re capable of achieving. Some days you might be helping with classroom learning; others could involve practical activities, educational visits or simply being the trusted adult who helps a pupil through a difficult moment.

You’ll be surrounded by experienced teachers and colleagues who will support you to develop your skills, so while previous SEN experience is welcomed, it isn’t essential.

With Monday-to-Friday hours, a 4pm finish and term-time working, this is also an opportunity to build a rewarding career while enjoying a better balance outside of work.

What you’ll do:

• Support pupils 1:1, in small groups and in the classroom, helping them engage with learning and achieve their individual goals.
• Build positive, trusting relationships that help pupils feel safe, understood and confident.
• Work alongside teachers to deliver engaging and personalised learning activities.
• Encourage independence, communication, social skills and emotional wellbeing.
• Help pupils manage challenges using calm, consistent and positive approaches.
• Celebrate progress and recognise the small achievements that can lead to big changes.
• Get involved in educational visits, enrichment activities and learning beyond the classroom.
• Work alongside teachers and the wider school team to provide consistent support.
• Help create a safe, welcoming environment where every pupil has the opportunity to succeed.
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What we’re looking for:

We’re interested in who you are as much as the experience you already have.

You’ll need to be:

• Caring, patient and genuinely interested in helping young people.
• Resilient and able to remain calm when situations become challenging.
• Positive, approachable and able to build trusting relationships.
• Flexible and willing to get involved in different aspects of school life.
• A supportive team player with good communication skills.
• Committed to safeguarding and helping every pupil achieve their potential.
• Qualified in English and Maths to GCSE Grade C/4 or equivalent.
• In possession of a Full UK Driving Licence.

New to Education?

Don’t rule yourself out. Experience with children or young people is helpful, but previous classroom or SEN experience isn’t essential. If you have transferable skills from care, support work, youth work, coaching, residential services or another people-focused career, we’d love to hear from you.

Bring your patience, resilience and enthusiasm and we’ll support you to develop the skills you need to make a real difference at Crookhey Hall School.

About Us 

Crookhey Hall School is a specialist SEMH school for boys and girls aged 10–17, set on a 15-acre countryside campus near Lancaster.

We provide a structured, nurturing environment where pupils build confidence, self-esteem, and resilience. Small classes and personalised pathways support academic, vocational, and personal development. Our dedicated team helps pupils re-engage with learning and prepares them for independent, successful futures.

Acorn Education offers rewarding careers and meaningful challenges while making a real difference in young people’s lives. As a leading UK provider of specialist education for children and young people with special educational needs, and part of Outcomes First Group, we deliver innovative, evidence-based approaches that support measurable progress and lasting impact.

We are really proud to say that in 2025 Outcomes First Group were officially certified as a ‘Great Place to Work’ for the sixth year running.

Why Join Us?

We place pupils and vulnerable young adults at the heart of everything we do, so every day brings the satisfaction of making a real difference. We are committed to the 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.

• Life Assurance
• Pension scheme with options to increase contributions
• “Your Wellbeing Matters” – mental health support and physical health checks
• Flexible Benefits Platform (Vista), including:
  • Health, wellbeing and insurance benefits
  • Hundreds of UK and international discounts
  • Cycle to Work Scheme & Electric Car Purchase Scheme
  • Critical illness cover
  • Family Growth Support, including enhanced maternity/paternity leave and paid fertility treatment support

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

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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