Learning Support Assistant

NJC Grade 4 SCP 6-7 pay award pending

Part Time Term Time (32.50 hrs) - Permanent

Commencing: ASAP

Closing Date: 9th October 2026@ 12:00 midday

Interviews scheduled for: w/c 12th October 2026.

About the Role

Castlewood School is seeking to appoint two dedicated and enthusiastic Learning Support Assistants to join our team on a permanent basis.

Castlewood is a specialist school supporting children and young people with Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH) needs. We are committed to creating a safe, nurturing and ambitious environment in which pupils are supported to regulate, engage with learning and achieve their potential.

While all members of our staff team work flexibly and may be required to support pupils across different areas of the school, for these particular vacancies we are especially interested in candidates who have experience, knowledge and confidence in working with secondary-aged pupils and teenagers.

We are looking for people who understand that working successfully with adolescents with SEMH needs requires patience, resilience, consistency and the ability to build positive relationships while maintaining clear and appropriate boundaries.

As a Learning Support Assistant, you will play an important role in supporting pupils' learning, emotional regulation, behaviour and wellbeing throughout the school day.

You may work:

• 1:1 with individual pupils, both within and outside the classroom.
• With small groups of pupils within lessons.
• Alongside teachers to support pupils to access learning and make progress.
• With pupils who require additional support to regulate their emotions and successfully engage with school.
• Across different areas of the school according to pupil need.

A key part of the role is helping pupils to regulate their emotions so that they are ready to learn, reflecting our ethos of "regulate before you educate."

You will work closely with teachers and other members of the wider school team to provide consistent support for pupils. This will include preparing resources and learning activities, supporting pupils with their individual learning needs, promoting positive behaviour and emotional regulation, and contributing to a safe, inclusive and nurturing learning environment.

For our secondary-aged pupils in particular, you will also help young people to develop confidence, resilience, independence and responsibility, supporting them as they progress towards adulthood.

What We're Looking For

We are looking for individuals who are:

• Caring, patient, resilient and committed to supporting children and young people with SEMH needs.
• Confident in developing positive and appropriate relationships with secondary-aged pupils and teenagers.
• Able to maintain clear and consistent boundaries while remaining supportive and nurturing.
• Calm and consistent when supporting pupils experiencing dysregulation or presenting challenging behaviour.
• Able to maintain high expectations for pupils while recognising and responding to their individual needs.
• Strong team players with a positive and proactive approach.
• Excellent communicators who can build effective relationships with pupils, colleagues and other professionals.
• Able to encourage pupils to develop greater independence, resilience and responsibility.
• Flexible and willing to work with pupils across different areas of the school when required.
• Passionate about improving the educational experiences and future outcomes of children and young people.

Experience and Knowledge

For these particular vacancies, we are especially interested in candidates who have:

• Experience of working with secondary-aged children or teenagers.
• Knowledge or understanding of the developmental, social and emotional needs of adolescents.
• Experience or an understanding of SEMH needs, behaviour and emotional regulation.
• Experience within a school, SEND setting, alternative provision, youth work, care, mentoring, support work or a similar environment.

Previous school-based experience is desirable but not essential. We recognise that valuable skills and experience in supporting teenagers and young people may have been developed in a range of different professional settings.

Successful candidates should also be willing to work flexibly as part of our whole-school team and support pupils of different ages when required.

Full training, support and professional development will be provided.

Why Join Castlewood School?

Joining Castlewood means becoming part of a committed team that wants to make a genuine difference to the lives of children and young people.

Benefits of working with us include:

• A permanent position within our staff team.
• Ongoing CPD, coaching and professional development.
• Specialist training to develop your knowledge and confidence in supporting pupils with SEMH needs.
• Opportunities for career development and progression within Castlewood and the wider Trust.
• A supportive and committed school community.
• The opportunity to make a meaningful difference to pupils who may have experienced significant barriers to education.
• Free on-site parking.
• Free tea and coffee making facilities.
• Generous Local Government Pension Scheme.
• Health and wellbeing support package.

Visits & Applications

We strongly encourage prospective candidates to visit Castlewood before applying.

A visit will provide an opportunity to see the school, find out more about the role and our approach to supporting pupils, and have an informal discussion with members of the team.

To arrange a visit, please contact:

Email: [email removed]
Telephone: [phone removed]

To Apply

Please follow the link to MyNewTerm and register to complete an application form.

Within your application, we would particularly like you to tell us:

• What skills and experience you can bring to the role.
• Your experience of working with secondary-aged pupils, teenagers or young people.
• Your understanding or experience of supporting young people with additional, behavioural or SEMH needs.
• Why you feel Castlewood School is a good match for you.

Further Information

The closing date for applications is 9th October 2026 at midday.

Shortlisting will take place following the closing date. Applications received after the published deadline may not be considered.

Interview dates will be confirmed within the vacancy details.

Make a Difference at Castlewood

Castlewood's recent Ofsted inspection confirmed that the school meets the expected standard in all areas. The report celebrates the culture we have created, describing how "pupils at Castlewood are surrounded by something increasingly evident; hope."

Inspectors recognised that our pupils know they matter, feel a genuine sense of belonging, and benefit from "strong, trusting relationships" that shape their experience of school.

Read the full Ofsted report by scanning the QR code and discover why Castlewood is such a rewarding place to work.

Castlewood School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people/vulnerable adults and expect all staff and volunteers to share th