Job Description

Learning Support Assistant

Hours: 30 hours per week
Required Immediately

Actual Salary:  salary negotiable depending on skills and experience, currently within banding to £16,663.65

Hilltop Junior School are seeking to appoint a flexible LSA to join our caring, friendly and hard-working team.

We may consider a variation of hours for the right candidate, this may include 30 hours, part-time or as a job-share.

The successful candidate must:

• be educated to NVQ level 2 in learning/support/early years, NNEB or equivalent qualification/experience
• have a minimum qualification of English and Maths at GCSE level C or above (or equivalent)
• have experience of working with children, ideally in a school setting
• put the needs of our children at the forefront of all you do
• demonstrate patience, calmness and flexibility at all times
• have excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to relate well to children, parents and other adults
• have a passion for developing individual learning and encouraging pupils to achieve their best
• be a team player
• have some knowledge of strategies to support behaviour.

Application packs including a Job Description are available from the school office.

Hilltop Junior School converted to Academy status in August 2011. The school is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of our children and expects all staff to share this commitment. All appointments are subject to an enhanced DBS check, medical clearances and satisfactory references.

Visits can be arranged by contacting Suzanne Cullinane, please contact: hilltopjun.admin@heartsacademy.uk.

How to apply 
It is very important that the HEARTS application form is completed in full, particularly section F which refers to references. We must have the full contact details of two referees, including their name, address, telephone number and email address. Please note that we will write to the Headteacher for all education references. Incomplete application forms will not be considered. We reserve the right to close this vacancy early should we have enough applications to shortlist, therefore we advise that you do not delay applying. 

Previous applicants need not apply 

HEARTS Academy Trust is an equal opportunities employer and will not discriminate against any applicant on the grounds of gender, age, disability, religion, belief, sexual orientation, marital status, or race. For this reason, all application forms are anonymised before shortlisting takes place to ensure applicants are considered only on the relevant qualifications, skills and experience that are profiled on the application form and personal statement.

Why choose HEARTS Academy Trust as your new employer?
The HEARTS way of working is based on our values of happiness, self-esteem, achievement, respect and responsibility, truth and service, all of which are embedded within each of our schools.
We offer an excellent CPD entitlement with purposeful training, including Trust-wide twilights throughout the year, a two-week October half term, supportive colleagues who want to provide the best possible opportunities for their pupils, a highly effective learning environment, a responsive and involved leadership team, a Trust with a highly positive culture that supports all staff; mental health, workload and wellbeing are at the forefront of our vision and values, access to our trust counsellor and network of Mental Health and Wellbeing champions and flexible working including home working.

HEARTS Academy Trust offers a comprehensive rewards and benefits package to all colleagues, including but not limited to:

• "Every HEARTS Matters" Employee discounts and benefits scheme
• Pension schemes (LGPS/TPS)
• Professional development opportunities
• Access to our trust Counsellor
• Additional weeks leave during October

We believe our employees are our most valuable asset, we strive to create a positive and supportive work environment that rewards hard work and dedication. Join our team and enjoy the many benefits that HEARTS Academy Trust has to offer. Please see the HEARTS Extra Programme Recruitment Information pack for full information.

For further information, please visit: http://www.heartsacademytrust.co.uk

Information about the School

Hilltop Junior School is child-centred and believes in high expectations for all. We are an over-achieving, oversubscribed school, with strong links with the community and feeder schools. We pride ourselves on positive relationships that benefit the pupils at the heart of the community.

We are proud to have recently been graded as "good" by Ofsted and shortlisted as TES Primary School of the Year. We are a creative school with an inspiring, vibrant and engaging curriculum. We have the highest aspirations for all of our children and believe in providing them with a full, varied learning experience that is exciting and equips them for life.

At Hilltop, we have a strong and passionate team of teachers who are dedicated to ensuring that every single child achieves their full potential. Our pupils consistently achieve above national averages in reading and writing.

We are a leading school in Wickford, set in beautiful grounds and well-served by transportation links. We are close to major road networks, making it easy for pupils to access our school.

Hilltop Junior School is ranked in the top 5% of schools and is the proud recipient of many awards including;- • Pearson Centre of Excellence 2022 • SENDIA; the Special Educational Needs and Disabilities Inclusion Award from Optimus Education • L.P.P.A. (Leading Parent Partnership Award) • Fully accredited National Online Safety certified school • History Quality Mark – Gold Status • Wellbeing Award • SMSC Quality Mark Gold • Young Carers Award • Healthy Schools Award • SAFE CIC Gold Award • An Artsmark School • working towards UNICEF Rights Respecting Gold • IQM – Inclusive School Award • Green flag status • Forest Schools

Hilltop Junior School is part of the HEARTS Academy Trust, a trust of local schools that has the values of happiness, achievement, self-esteem, respect & responsibility, truth, spirituality & service. The trust is truly innovative and rewards outstanding staff for outstanding outcomes. The school calendar consists of 184 contact time with pupils, 5 non-pupil days and the equivalent of 6 days of high quality continuous professional development.

The Trustees are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people, and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. The post will be subject to an enhanced DBS check, online searches, medical check, prohibited from teaching check and references. References are taken up prior to interview. A copy of the trusts Child Protection Policy is available on our website:- https://www.heartsacademytrust.co.uk/policies

We can offer you:

• an excellent CPD entitlement with purposeful training, including trust-wide twilights throughout the year

• a two-week October half-term

• supportive colleagues who want to provide the best possible opportunities for their pupils

• a highly effective learning environment

• a responsive and involved leadership team

• the HEARTS four-day face-to-face teaching week model whereby all teachers in the trust receive 20% non-contact time. This goes above and beyond the national entitlement of 10% PPA.

• a school with a highly positive culture that supports all staff; mental health, workload and wellbeing are at the forefront of our vision and values

• access to our school counsellor and network of Mental Health and Wellbeing champions

For further information about HEARTS, including policies and procedures, please refer to our website www.heartsacademytrust.co.uk