Learning Support Assistant Croydon, England
Job description
Academy Woodcote High School
Required 1st September 2023
Salary TCT Scale S9 – S12 £23,296 – £23,467 pa
(Pro-rata £19,801 - £19,946 per annum, 36 hours per week)
Term Time only (38 weeks)
Closing Date 9am, Friday 19th May 2023
Interviews To be advised
I nformation for Applicants – Learning Support Assistant, Woodcote High School P a g e 2
Welcome
Dear Applicant
Thank you for your interest in the post of Learning Support Assistant. I hope that this
information pack will help you to learn more about our fantastic school and that you
will be excited about the prospect of joining our excellent team.
Woodcote High School is a fantastic place to work and learn. We have recently joined The Collegiate Trust
whose vision of an exceptional education for all accurately describes the ambitions we hold for our students.
They are bright, well-motivated and a pleasure to work with, whilst our staff are talented, hard-working and
ambitious for themselves and others. We are determined to provide the very best learning environment and
learning experiences for our students, as it is the combination of these factors that leads to the high
academic standards and enviable reputation that The Collegiate Trust is known for. We are very proud of
what we do and we are looking forward to collaborating with others in our new family of schools to
accelerate our improvement and achieve even more in the future.
I would be delighted to receive an application from you if, upon consideration, you feel that this role and the
school may be right for you. To submit an application, please complete the form on our website, attaching
where requested a statement of no more than two sides of A4, identifying clearly how you meet the person
specification.
If you would like to visit the school or have an informal discussion about the post prior to application, please
contact my PA, Lynda Allen, either by email [email protected] or telephone 020 8668 6464. She
will be pleased to make an appointment for you to speak with me or visit Woodcote High School if you are
able to.
Thank you again for your interest and I wish you the best of luck for your next steps.
Yours sincerely
Kirstie Woodcock
Principal
Information for Applicants – Learning Support Assistant, Woodcote High School P a g e 3
Our Approach
Woodcote High School is on an exciting journey, one that is going to allow us to build on
our strong academic success. We have high aspirations for all our students in our care, both pastorally and
academically. We are committed to ensuring that every child who joins us will have every opportunity to
reach their full potential and leave us well equipped for integration into society as well rounded
citizens who will be able to make a contribution to the wider community.
Woodcote is very much the school of choice for students in our local community and our academic track
record of success over the years gives confidence to all our stakeholders.
You can find out more information about us at the following websites:
www.woodcotehigh.org.uk www.tct-academies.org
Our Values
We want to ensure that our students live by our ASPIRE values of high Ambition, Self-reliance,
Perseverance, Inquisitiveness, Respect and Enthusiasm for life. We have developed our curriculum to be
not only academically rigorous, but to foster a culture of success in our students.
At Woodcote High School, our purpose is excellence. We will be robust in the delivery of lessons ensuring
that we enthuse a thirst for knowledge and develop confident, critical thinkers who embrace challenge. In
creating an exceptional learning environment, we will meet the needs of all our students, supporting them
in their journey to reach their full potential.
By delivering quality first teaching, our students will be independent, lifelong learners who are ambitious,
self-reliant, persevering, resilient and reflective. We will encourage our students to be inquisitive; develop
enquiring minds that will increase their enthusiasm and provide academic enrichment. We will develop
students with a strength of character that will shape well rounded respectful global citizens equipped to
make a positive contribution to society.
In partnership with all stakeholders, our aim is to provide our students with a world-class education.
Information for Applicants – Learning Support Assistant, Woodcote High School P a g e 4
Our Students
At Woodcote High School we feel that students who are happy perform at their best. We provide a positive
learning environment, where all students work with confidence and motivation to reach their full potential.
We feel that students gain enormously from feeling that their work is valued and that extra effort on
their part deserves both praise and reward.
Our Praise and Reward scheme is linked to academic achievement by going above and beyond in, for
example, progress, participation, an excellent piece of coursework/homework, test result or consistent
effort over time. The Headteacher holds reward breakfasts once a term to celebrate students’ success.
Students enjoy their parents being informed of good work and staff regularly send out positive praise
postcards so that parents/carers are immediately aware of good work or behaviour.
Year group praise and reward systems are in place; these feed into celebration assemblies and prize draws.
At the end of each term, our whole school end of term assembly concentrates on praise and reward and
students receive certificates, prizes, and trophies for their achievement.
Woodcote High School is also part of the Jack Petchey Foundation Achievement Awards Scheme - a
recognition and reward initiative which enables us to celebrate the achievements of our students as well as
receive additional funding. In the summer term we hold a Praise and Awards’ Evening where we present
certificates for achievement in all aspects of school life. Parents are invited to attend and watch their child
receive these awards. A separate Sports Awards’ Evening is held annually to reward the considerable
sporting achievements within school.
Information for Applicants – Learning Support Assistant, Woodcote High School P a g e 5
Our Trust
The Collegiate Trust works in the Crawley and Croydon areas with a clear vision to deliver exceptional
education for all. Such an education achieves excellent outcomes in pupil progress and attainment, a rich
creative, cultural and physical learning experience, and great personal and social development for all pupils.
We achieve this by working with and developing strong teams of staff in each school, under the direction of
the Principal of the school and the Local Governing Body (LGB)
Each school within the Trust is supported centrally by a designated Director of School Improvement on
teaching and learning issues, the Chief Operating Officer, Chief Finance Officer & HR Manager on business
management and HR issues, and the CEO on wider leadership issues. This complements rather than replaces
in-school functions and allows the Principal and LGB to operate with a high level of autonomy in delivering
the highest standards in their school. The LGB works to a Scheme of Delegation approved by the Trust’s
Board of Directors.
There are currently eight schools in our family:
Name Range Size Principal OFSTED
Riddlesdown Collegiate 11-18 2065 Mrs Katie Turner Outstanding
(founding school) (until 31.8.2023)
Gossops Green Primary 4-11 594 Mrs Sarah Dunne Good
(1.11.2016)
Waterfield Primary 3-11 390 Mr James Purveur Good
(1.3.2018)
The Quest Academy 11-18 970 Mr Andrew Crofts Good
(1.6.2018) Mr Thomas Beecham (Head of School)
Quest Primary School 3-11 206 Mr Andrew Crofts Good
(1.9.2018) Miss Jo Stawman (Head of School)
Courtwood Primary 4-11 213 Mrs Natasha Grant Good
(1.9.2018)
Kenley Primary 4-11 196 Mrs Denise Dixon Good
(1.9.2021)
Woodcote High School 11-18 1273 Ms Kirstie Woodcock Good
(1.4.2023)
Another secondary school in Crawley is expecting to join us in 2023.
Each school is overseen by a Local Governing Body, which operates through the Trust’s Scheme of Delegation.
Governance is supported by the Governance Manager. The Chairs of the LGBs meet termly with the Chair of
the Trust in a Chairs’ Forum; safeguarding leads on each LGB also meet in our Safeguarding Network.
The Principals are supported by the central executive team in planning and implementing all aspects of work.
Information for Applicants – Learning Support Assistant, Woodcote High School P a g e 6
Job Description – Learning Support Assistant
Purpose of the Post: To support individual students with learning needs, either in the
classroom, with small groups or on a one-to-one basis
Accountable to: SENDCO
PRINCIPAL ACOUNTABILITIES
i. To work under the direction and guidance of the SENDCO to support with removing barriers to
learning for individuals/groups, in or out of the classroom
ii. To support access to learning for students within the class, under the direction of teaching staff.
Support for Students:
i. To use specialist skills/training/experience to support students to make progress.
ii. To establish productive working relationships with students, acting as a role model and setting high
expectations
iii. To support the classroom learning of individual students/small groups with SEND
iv. To promote positive attitude learning and maintain high ambition for all students at all times.
Support for Teachers:
i. To use strategies, in liaison with the teacher, to support SEND students to make progress and achieve
their full potential.
ii. To assist with the planning and delivery of learning opportunities and intervention sessions.
iii. To monitor students’ responses to learning activities and accurately record achievement/progress as
directed
iv. To provide detailed and regular feedback to teachers on students’ achievement, progress, and
barriers to learning.
Support for the Curriculum:
i. Undertake structured and agreed learning activities.
ii. Support the development of personalisation for SEND students to support progress and engagement.
iii. Support the use of literacy, numeracy and ICT in learning activities and develop students’
competence, independence and preparing for adulthood.
Support for the school:
i. To be aware of and comply with policies and procedures relating to the SEND Code of Practice &
Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE).
ii. To contribute to the overall ethos of the school.
iii. Participate in training, professional learning opportunities and performance development as
required.
Person Specification
Qualifications
At least A Level (or equivalent)
GCSE English & Mathematics
Experience
Successful experience of supporting students’ learning and achievement in a School or similar
environment.
Significant experience of supporting students with SEND and other disadvantage.
Skills and Attributes
Highly organised with excellent time management skills
Strong written and oral communication skills
Compassionate and empathic
Ability to manage multiple tasks at one time and operate to strict deadlines
Ability to be flexible and responsive to changing situations both in school and the wider community
involving students’ needs and provision
Demonstrate reflective personal characteristics and be able to continually seek positive outcomes for
students with SEND
Ability to maintain positive relationships with all SEND students, families and the professionals who
support them
The Collegiate Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and
expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.
Applicants must be willing to undergo child protection screening appropriate to the post,
including checks with past employers, online searches and the Disclosure and Barring Service.
Appointment will be dependent upon further health, medical and attendance checks.
Information for Applicants – Learning Support Assistant, Woodcote High School P a g e 8
Why Work With Us?
The Collegiate Trust is an exciting, fast-paced group of schools committed to progress, collaboration and
excellence for all – staff and students alike. We are a dynamic and expanding trust of eight schools (three
secondaries with Sixth Form provision, and five primaries) with numerous and diverse career opportunities
for both new and existing staff.
All staff and governors, at every level of their career, in both teaching and business support functions, have
an equal entitlement to Continuous Professional Development (CPD). This promotes, develops and supports
staff in their shared commitment to lifelong learning. Results are reviewed and evaluated regularly in order
to support further development of our CPD programme and drive constant improvement.
Through expert facilitation, Trust-wide collaboration, inter-school networking, and our extensive CPD
programme, every member of staff has the opportunity to make substantial contributions to the
development of the curriculum, pedagogy and delivery of business services, whilst improving their own
prospects of career progression. We are committed to:-
- facilitating career progression
- offering excellent professional development
- providing opportunities to lead
- extending support from Trust experts
- developing collaborative opportunities to generate new and next practice
Other tangible benefits of working within a TCT school include1:-
Performance rewards
Two-Week October Half Term (instead of 5 INSET days)
Well-equipped Staff Room and Work Room
Good learning resources in classrooms
Free use of Fitness Suite
Encouraged participation in NPQ programme through various provisions
Individuals who are successful in their application to The Collegiate Trust join us at an exciting time. In return
for the opportunity to be part of our Trust, we ask that all joining members of staff share in our vision of
“Exceptional Education For All” and are motivated to work continuously towards developing their own
professional excellence.
1 At the time of publication, not all benefits available at every TCT school.
Information for Applicants – Learning Support Assistant, Woodcote High School P a g e 9
How To Find Us
By Car
Please see the map.
M25 J6 or J7.
Parking is available on and off
site.
By Train
Into Coulsdon South,
Coulsdon Town, Reedham or
Purley stations.
By Bus
On routes 434 and 463.
Woodcote High School
Meadow Rise, Coulsdon, CR5 2EH
020 8668 6464
[email protected]
www.woodcotehigh.org.uk
Information for Applicants – Learning Support Assistant, Woodcote High School P a g e 10
