Learning Support Assistant for Fishbourne Primary School

Job Description

Learning Support Assistant

Temporary Contract - Full Time (8.30am – 3.30pm) for the remainder of the academic year with the possibility of extension.

Grade: 3.3 (£24,796 pro rata; £12,700 actual salary)

Starting date: January 2027
Reports to: Headteacher
Hours: Temporary, full time LSA (8.30am – 3.30pm daily)
Location: Fishbourne CE Primary School

Function of the post:
Contribute to pupils’ development including their physical and mental well-being, and supporting teaching and learning in the class room, providing general and specific assistance to pupils under the direction, guidance and direct supervision of the class teacher.

We have an exciting opportunity to join our fun, creative and innovative learning community where all children are championed to be the best they can be! At Fishbourne CE School we strive to make learning irresistible and for children to be nurtured to become effective learners.

We are looking for a flexible, reliable and enthusiastic person to support all children with their learning. This support will be within the classroom, over break times, and at lunch break. We would be particularly keen to hear from a candidate who has the Emotional Literacy Support Assistant (ELSA) qualification.

We are looking for someone who is:

• Passionate about every child’s learning and progress

• Able to work closely with a strong, collaborative team, including external agencies

• Open to becoming part of our Fishbourne ‘crew’ where we work together in partnership with children, families and other members of staff

In return, we can offer you:

• A skilled, enthusiastic and dedicated staff team

• A positive and supportive school family – children, parents, staff and governors

• A fun, creative and innovative learning community

We would warmly encourage a school visit prior to application. Please do phone to book a visit.

Our website has a wealth of information about our vision and values, please do explore it! If you would like to phone to discuss any elements of school life, we would be delighted to answer any questions!

Closing date: Tuesday 17th November 2026
Interview date: Friday 20th November 2026

‘There’s work and there’s your life’s work. The kind of work that has your finger prints all over it. The kind of work that you’d never compromise on. People don’t come here to play it safe. They come here to swim in the deep end. They want their work to add up to something. Something big. Something that couldn’t happen anywhere else.’

Safeguarding Statement

Fishbourne Primary School and West Sussex County Council are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. We will ensure that all our recruitment and selection practices reflect this commitment. All successful candidates will be subject to an appropriate Disclosure and Barring Service check along with other relevant employment checks, including satisfactory references.

We are committed to safeguarding, and all applicants must be willing to undergo screening including checks with past employers and the Disclosure Barring Service.

How to Apply

NOTE TO CANDIDATES - Please do not select the ‘Apply online’ button as the school processes your applications directly rather than through this site.​

To apply for this role please click on the Application Attachment links below.

Please complete the application form and ensure that you outline your motivations for applying and explaining the skills and experience you can bring to the role (please refer to the key skills in the job description).

Once complete please return this directly to the school.

Should you have any questions regarding the role or the application please contact the school directly.

Application Attachments:

Advert LSA

Fishbourne Support Staff Application Form

Job Profile and Person Specification

#LI-DNI

Responsibilities

Principal Accountabilities

• In liaison with and under the guidance of the class teacher, support pupils on an individual or small group basis to complete activities, encouraging and developing independent learning.

• Assist with delivery of the curriculum in all areas, supporting the learning outcomes using the teacher’s planned teaching and learning methods.

• Support the school in implementing a consistent behaviour policy, encouraging excellent behaviour through positive feedback and praise, reinforcing school rules and procedures with clear expectations, and raising concerns about any behaviours with the class teacher.

• As directed by the class teacher, monitor and record children’s responses to learning, and feedback to the teacher on pupils’ progress, in accordance with school policy.

• Assist in break-time and lunchtime supervision, including facilitating games and activities, and undertake first-aid duties.

• Assist with special activities (e.g. sports days, plays, concerts, open days), accompany children on school visits, and where appropriate be involved in extracurricular activities (e.g. clubs, presentation evenings)

• Provide clerical and administrative support to the class teacher (e.g. photocopying, filing, collation of reports and pupil work)

• Participate in meetings, employer training and development and in performance management, contributing to the identification of their own and of team development needs.

• Follow all school policies with specific reference to the Behaviour, Child Protection, Health and Safety and Learning and Teaching policies.

Other Duties

You are required to undertake such other duties appropriate to the grade and content of the work as may reasonably be required of you. Therefore, the list of duties in this job profile should not be regarded as exclusive or exhaustive. Please note that, in consultation with you, we may update your job profile to reflect changes in, or to, your post.

Equality and Inclusion:

We believe that everyone has the right to be treated equally and that the diversity of individuals and groups should be embraced, valued, and respected. We are committed to eliminating any form of discrimination be it direct, indirect, harassment or victimisation, and to support this the School has a number of policies that you should ensure you are familiar with and compliant to. All policies are available from the Headteacher. Any breaches may lead to termination of employment.

Right to Work:

Current British and European Law states that a person cannot be employed to this post if they do not have permission to live and work in the UK. For further guidance and information contact the Headteacher.

Health & Safety:

To ensure an effective and safe environment that promotes the welfare of children and staff, you will take responsibility to be aware of the risks in the work environment and their potential impact on your own work and that of others. You should familiarise yourself with the School’s Health and Safety policies.

Data Protection:

You will be responsible for ensuring that workplace responsibilities such as confidentiality, treatment of personal information and records management are carried out in compliance with the requirements of the Data Protection Act 1998 and the Employment Practices Data Protection Code 2002.

Safer Recruitment:

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expect all staff to share this commitment. We will ensure that all our recruitment and selection practices reflect this commitment.

Staff will be subject to a satisfactory Disclosure Service certification as part of the recruitment process. Further information about the Disclosure and Barring Service is available from the DBS website at www.homeoffice.gov.uk/dbs. 

Qualifications

Principal Attributes and Person Specification:

Essential requirements are those, without which, the candidate would not be able to do the job. It is expected that the post holder will have the knowledge and qualifications indicated or equivalent qualifications and experience.

Essential

Desirable

Evidenced through

Knowledge and Qualifications

GCSE Grade C or above in Mathematics and English Language, or equivalent qualification or skill level

General understanding of effective strategies that underpin positive behaviour at primary school level, and which recognises and rewards effort and achievement

Knowledge of current national policies relevant to child protection and health and safety within a primary school environment

Qualified as a First Aider at Work, or willingness to train

Knowledge of current in-school interventions to support pupil progress

Knowledge of safeguarding and Health and Safety requirements within a primary school environment

Awareness of the primary national curriculum

Knowledge of autism and social communication differences and interpreting non-verbal communication cues

Understanding of speech and language communication needs and ability/ experience to use language aided board/ communication devices

Awareness of sensory processing and the impact on behaviour and engagement

Application

Interview

References

Skills

Good interpersonal and communication skills that enable instructions to be understood by pupils at differing levels that promotes learning and understanding

Ability to communicate effectively and build good working relationships with staff, parents, carers and other stakeholders relevant to the post

Relevant skills that enable effective review and feedback on child progress

Problem solving skills

Computer literate with the ability to positively promote the use of ICT in pupil learning

Good spelling and mathematics skills

Skilled in working with a class teacher to implement planned learning activities and teaching programmes

Ability to deliver multi-sensory learning experiences

Confidence and experience working 1:1 or in small groups with pupils.

Able to support self-care skills such as toileting, feeding and changing.

Application

Interview

References

Experience

Establishing positive relationships with children that encourages and enables child development

Experience of implementing strategies that promote positive behaviour

Working with young children in a relevant environment

Teaching Assistant in a primary school setting

Experience of successfully delivering a specific programme of support to an individual or small group of children

Experience of using Makaton

Experience of following structured intervention plans

Application

Interview

References