Speech and Language Learning Support Assistant – January 2026

Are you looking to join a fully inclusive school, where every child is nurtured, supported and encouraged to be the very best they can be? 

St. John’s Primary and Nursery School is a multi-faith, multi-language school with a real community feel.  We are an inclusive school that challenges, inspires and motivates all pupils to become successful, confident and caring citizens of our diverse world.  We work together to create a happy environment where all members of the school community feel safe, can enjoy, achieve and make a positive contribution to the school and the wider community.  We are a forward-thinking staff, where children are at the heart of the school.

We are seeking a caring, motivated and enthusiastic Speech and Language Learning Support Assistant to join our supportive team. This is an exciting opportunity to make a real difference in the lives of children with speech, language and communication needs.

Working closely with our SENCo and external Speech and Language Therapists, you will support pupils across the school to develop communication skills, access learning, and achieve their full potential.

We can offer you:

• Children that are kind, polite and have a genuine curiosity to learn
• A fantastic diverse community, in the heart of historic Southampton
• A friendly, supportive and highly committed team
• A school that works in partnership and collaboration with others to develop the best approaches to teaching and learning
• A senior leadership team that will nurture and support your development into middle leadership
• Career and professional development opportunities within and beyond, the Southampton Cooperative Learning Trust

Key Responsibilities:

·         Provide 1:1 and small-group support to pupils with speech, language, and communication needs

·         Deliver targeted intervention programmes under the guidance of a Speech and Language Therapist

·         Support children in developing vocabulary, social communication and expressive/receptive language

·         Adapt activities and resources to ensure inclusive access to learning

·         Track and record pupil progress and contribute to support plans

·         Build positive, trusting relationships with pupils, staff and families

·         Assist class teachers in creating communication-friendly classroom environments

We need you to be:

• Experience working with children, ideally in an educational or SEN setting
• An inclusive practitioner, who has high aspirations for every one of our children
• Knowledge of speech, language and communication needs (desirable)
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Patience, empathy and a genuine passion for supporting children
• Ability to work collaboratively as part of a multidisciplinary team
• Commitment to safeguarding and promoting pupil welfare

Start Date: 5 January 2026 – pending receipt of satisfactory pre-employment checks

Contract type: Part-time/Permanent, 25 hrs per week(negotiable)

Salary: SCC NJC Grade 6 (SCP12-17) FTE £28.792 - £31,022

We welcome visits to the school. Please email Lucy Hibbs, Deputy Headteacher on l.hibbs@st-johnsschool.net to book an appointment or with any other enquiries.  

Closing date: Thursday 11 December 2025, noon

Interviews: WB 15 December 2025

St John’s Primary & Nursery School is committed to safeguarding its pupils and staff.  Any employment offer will be subject to rigorous pre-employment checks including a disclosure and barring service check.