Learning Support Assistant - Term Time

Woodlands; Tunbridge Wells; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A local special school in Tunbridge Wells is seeking Learning Support Assistants to join their team in January 2026. The role involves working closely with teaching and therapy staff to support pupils with severe and complex needs. Ideal candidates will have excellent literacy and numeracy skills, flexibility, and strong communication abilities. This role offers a competitive salary with various benefits and is term-time only, working 33.5 hours per week.

Benefits

Kent Rewards discounts

Contributory pension scheme

Free school meals

Access to counselling

Free parking

Qualifications

• Excellent literacy and numeracy skills are essential.
• Candidates should be prepared to work at both of our sites.
• Experience in special needs or education environment is advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Support pupils in learning, social development, and personal needs.
• Work closely with teaching and therapy staff.
• Make a difference to pupils with severe and complex needs.

Skills

Strong communication

Literacy skills

Numeracy skills

Team working

Flexibility

Resilience

Job description

Learning Support Assistants

Working Monday to Friday, 33½ hours per week, Term Time Only

Oakley School is the Tunbridge Wells District Special School for day pupils, aged from 3 to 19 years, all of whom have severe/complex needs and communication and learning difficulties.

Our Mission: Children and Young People at the heart of all we do.
Our Ethos: Work Hard, Be Kind, Have Fun, Stay Safe

We are seeking to recruit Learning Support Assistants to join our friendly, positive and forward‑looking team in January 2026.

As a Learning Support Assistant, you would work closely with the teaching and therapy staff to support our pupils in all aspects of their learning, social development, personal needs and developing their skills for life and independence. In this role you will be able to make a big difference to our pupils, all of whom have a wide range of severe and/or complex needs, with communication and learning difficulties.

Candidates do not need experience of working in a special needs or education environment, although it would be advantageous, as would experience of Early Years. Excellent literacy and numeracy skills are essential, along with flexibility, resilience, strong communication and team working skills. Candidates should be prepared to work at both of our sites.

There are many development opportunities for those interested in career progression, including into teaching and other types of work with children and young people.

The hours are 33.5 per week working 8.30am to 3.30pm Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays and 8.30am to 4.30pm on Tuesdays, with half an hour lunch each day. The post is term time only; 38 weeks plus 5 staff training days. The salary is Kent Scheme KSB £25,126 per annum FTE + SEN Allowance £1484 and reduced pro‑rata for the hours/weeks worked.

Benefits include access to Kent Rewards (including discounts on everyday products and services), contributory pension scheme, free school meals, access to free counselling, free parking and other support services. We are committed to supporting the health and wellbeing of all our staff.

Closing date is 12noon on Friday 9th January 2026. Although the advert has a close date, applications may be shortlisted, and interviews held sooner.

If you are interested please look at our website for further information and how to apply: www.oakleyschool.co.uk or email [e-mail] Please note that, for safeguarding reasons, we are unable to accept CVs.

Oakley School is committed to safeguarding children and young people, a commitment we expect all staff to share and uphold.