Learning Support Assistant

Shorefields; Great Dunmow; On-site; GBP 25,000 - 26,000; Part time

Job summary

A local educational institution in Great Dunmow is seeking a part-time Learning Support Assistant to support a Year 2 pupil. The successful candidate will assist in areas of Speech, Language, and Communication, particularly for children with Autism and pre-verbal needs. Experience with Makaton or AAC is beneficial. This role offers a supportive team environment and is focused on promoting continual professional development. Apply if you are an enthusiastic and conscientious individual ready to make an impact.

Benefits

Supportive learning environment

Professional development opportunities

Welcoming team

Qualifications

• Experience of supporting pupils with an EHCP.
• Experience with pre-verbal children and/or children with Autism.
• Knowledge of Makaton or AAC is ideal but not essential.
• Knowledge of ASD, Developmental Delay, and SLN is ideal.
• Knowledge of Child-led Play Therapy is ideal.

Responsibilities

• Support pupils with an EHCP based on needs.
• Assist pupils with Special Educational Needs.
• Use knowledge of Makaton and AAC.
• Apply understanding of ASD and Developmental Delay.
• Implement Child-led Play Therapy.

Skills

Communication skills

Teamwork

Ability to work independently

Job description

Position Details

Position Start Date: Immediate
Contract Type: Part-time
Contract Term: Permanent

Application Close: 09/01/2026 Midnight
Date of Interviews: 14th January 2026

Scale 3, Points 5-6 (£25,583 - £25,989 pa, pro‑rated) 38 weeks per year (term time only)

Job Overview

We are looking to appoint a flexible, enthusiastic, and conscientious Learning Support Assistant with good communication skills and a can‑do approach. The successful candidate will be supporting a pupil in a Year 2 classroom in areas of Speech, Language and Communication. Experience of working with pre‑verbal children and children with Autism would be beneficial. Knowledge of Makaton or AAC would be beneficial. They should be a hardworking team member whilst also able to work on their own initiative.

Responsibilities

• Primarily support pupils with an EHCP, allocated on a needs basis, and provide additional support to pupils across the school.
• Support pupils with Special Educational Needs, particularly Speech and Language and SEMH needs.
• Utilise knowledge of Makaton and Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC).
• Apply understanding of ASD, Developmental Delay and SLN.
• Implement Child‑led Play Therapy where appropriate.

Qualifications & Experience

• Experience of supporting pupils with an EHCP.
• Experience with pre‑verbal children and/or children with Autism.
• Knowledge of Makaton or AAC (ideal but not essential).
• Knowledge of ASD, Developmental Delay and SLN (ideal).
• Knowledge of Child‑led Play Therapy (ideal).

Benefits

• Enthusiastic, engaged children who are eager and ready to learn.
• A positive and supportive learning environment that promotes continual professional development.
• A friendly, welcoming team both within the school and as part of The Learning Partnership Trust.

Application

Visits or a phone call to the school are positively encouraged to discuss the particulars of the position. Please apply via the essexschoolsjobs.co.uk website.

Information about the School

We are proud of our history of providing education for children in the local area from 1869 when the school was first opened as a Penny School; the children of ordinary people were charged 1 penny a day whilst children of shopkeepers were charged 3 pennies. At this time the school was located at Brewers End (on the old A120) and the buildings can still be seen there. Since that time the school has grown and developed and in September 2012 the school relocated to a brand‑new school on its current site at Priors Green, Little Canfield.

Currently the school has 351 pupils on roll based in 13 classes covering Year groups from Reception to Year 6. Each classroom is a good size and has effective IT resources to support high quality teaching and learning. Our superb staff are led by a strong Senior Leadership Team. Our outside areas have also been enhanced with some excellent PE equipment and re‑energised spaces. The school is an integral part of the village of Takeley and Little Canfield working closely with all the other organisations in the area to promote a sense of community.

The behaviour of pupils in the school is exemplary and we have a behaviour system that builds on positive attitudes and achievements. Attitudes to learning reflect a growth mindset and our pupils are eager to learn and impress their teachers and parents/carers with the knowledge that making mistakes supports their learning.

We firmly believe that all our children are very special with the capacity to achieve in a variety of areas. ‘Learning, achieving and enjoying together’ is our core professional purpose and our staff are committed to develop the skills and talents of all the children in our care. Together we are all working towards our children being confident and independent learners who have the courage to seize all the opportunities available to them both now and in the future.

All appointments are subject to safer recruitment requirements to ensure the safeguarding of children and young people. All positions will involve appropriate checks and clearances.

Contact

Kelly Carter
Bennet Canfield
Little Canfield, Great Dunmow
Essex, CM6 1YE
Telephone: [phone]
Email: [e-mail]