Q3 Academy Tipton is seeking a caring, committed and enthusiastic Learning Support Assistant to join our inclusive SEND team. This is an important role for someone who believes every student deserves the right support, encouragement and opportunity to succeed.

Working under the direction of teachers, the SENDCo and the Inclusion Lead, you will support students with a range of needs, including communication and interaction, cognition and learning, social, emotional and mental health, sensory and physical needs, and other barriers to learning. You will help students access lessons, develop independence, grow in confidence and take pride in their progress.

What you will do

• Support students in class, in small groups and on a one-to-one basis so they can access learning and make progress.
• Promote confidence, resilience and independence while ensuring students feel safe, respected and included.
• Work closely with teachers, pastoral colleagues and the SEND team to put planned support, reasonable adjustments and interventions into practice;
• Help prepare accessible learning resources and use ICT and assistive technology to support students’ learning.
• Contribute to accurate records, feedback and information sharing so that students receive well-coordinated support.

We are looking for someone who is

• positive, patient and calm under pressure;
• committed to inclusion, safeguarding and high expectations for all students;
• able to build warm, professional relationships with young people, families and colleagues;
•  organised, discreet and confident in communicating clearly;
• keen to learn, reflect and develop their practice through training and feedback.

Why join us?

At Q3 Academy Tipton, you will be part of a values-led community where staff work together to ensure that no student is left behind. You will make a visible difference every day by helping students overcome barriers, participate fully in school life and develop the skills they need for the future.

This role would suit someone with experience of supporting young people, SEND, learning support or pastoral care, as well as someone with the right values, warmth and commitment who is ready to develop further in education.

Key information

• Role: Learning Support Assistant

·         Working pattern: 32.5 hours per week, term time only, 39 weeks per year

·         Reports to: SENDCo / Senior Leadership: Inclusion Lead

·         Essential: GCSE grade C/4 or above in English and mathematics, or equivalent qualification

If you are passionate about inclusion and want to help young people thrive, we would be delighted to hear from you.

The Mercian Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. The successful candidate will be subject to safer recruitment checks, including an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check, satisfactory references, identity and qualification checks, right to work checks and any other checks required for the role. Online searches may also be undertaken as part of the Trust’s due diligence.

 For full details of the post please see attached Job Description and Person Specification

Why The Mercian Trust?

As one Trust we share a common purpose.  We call it our social mobility and social justice mission to change our communities through the very best equitable education.  When we get this right, it enables our children and young people to fulfil their potential, thrive in the world of work, and make a positive contribution to the local, national and international community. Our recent achievements include:

Sustainable Growth - becoming one of the largest and most diverse trusts in the region

Social Mobility & Social Justice - National recognition for the Trust’s two selective grammar schools who the most successful on the number of local disadvantaged students passing the entrance and joining the schools

Increasing Opportunities – Opening brand-new purpose-built campus in Walsall Town Centre including an alternative provision for students at risk at permanent exclusion from mainstream schools alongside a Digital Skills Hub to provide professionals and employers

Pioneering Spirit – National recognition for pioneering work around youth mental health, including establishing an in-house multi-disciplinary team of clinicians and allied health professionals delivering interventions and providing support to vulnerable students

Outward Looking – Organising and hosting the region’s first Youth Suicide Conference (2023) and Youth Violence Conference (2024) at Villa Park

Innovation and Improvement – A multi-million-pound investment in the digital infrastructure of Trust schools and our Digital Skills Hub underpinning the ongoing transformation of how staff teach, students learn, leaders lead and the whole Trust operates in readiness for the AI-supercharged careers and workplaces of the future.

Want to be a part of something extraordinary? Find out more:  The Mercian Trust - Home

What can we offer you:

Benefits: 

Financial, Health and Lifestyle

• discounts on everyday purchases (Eden Red)
• a comprehensive free of charge health plan (UK Health Care)
• a cycle to work scheme via Halfords

For further benefits including education sector leading CPD: The Mercian Trust - What we can offer you

The Mercian Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of young people and vulnerable adults, and all appointments are subject to enhanced Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) checks and satisfactory references.

The Mercian Trust is also committed to promoting equality, challenging discrimination and developing community cohesion. We welcome applications from all sections of the community. 

Please take time to read our policies attached to this advert.

We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive a high volume of suitable applications. Please apply as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.