Learning Support Assistant

How would you like to be paid for five days but only work four*?

Our colleagues’ wellbeing is at the heart of everything we do at OFG, so we’re always looking for new ways to improve everyone’s work/life balance. We’re taking part in a trial of the 4-Day Working Week, meaning that you could be working one day less a week (or equivalent).

4DWW will be rolled out within our school, when we have a full complement of staff, and within the next year – so there’s never been a more exciting time to join us #teamOFG!

Become a Learning Support Assistant at Crookhey Hall School, part of Acorn Education and start working towards yours.

Salary: £20,906.25 per annum (not pro-rata)

Location: Crookhey Hall School, Lancaster, LA2 0HA

Hours: 37.5 hours per week, Monday to Friday 8.30am-4.00pm

Contract: Permanent, Term Time only

Start: June 2025

UK Applicants only. This role does not offer sponsorship

After 6 weeks in post, you will qualify for the 4-day working week - work 4 days but get paid for 5 days!

Crookhey Hall School is a Social and Emotional Mental Health (SEMH) School which caters for boys and girls aged 10 - 17 years of age. We provide young people with an educational experience that will not only extend their academic and vocational social skills and abilities but will also promote personal growth and help to build self-esteem. In this way it is hoped that each individual will aspire to achieve their full potential, eventually leaving school with the determination to make a positive contribution to society in the years to come.

Crookhey Hall School has a 15-acre setting in countryside south of Cockerham, near Lancaster. Due to the location, it would be beneficial for candidates to have a driving licence.

The aim of the site is to provide enough support to unlock each pupil’s potential so they can live fulfilling and productive lives. We provide young people with as much freedom as possible in a safe and supervised environment. This is achievable due to the dedication and support from a range of employed professionals who are passionate, reliable, and understanding.

Acorn Education is the UK’s leading independent provider of specialist education. As part of Outcomes First Group, we are leading our sector in setting and delivering new approaches that provide measurable outcomes for those in our care.

We are really proud to say that in 2024, Outcomes First Group were officially certified as a ‘Great Place to Work’ for the fifth year running.

The opportunity

Enjoy a rewarding education career and have a real impact on pupils’ lives. Join an amazing team making our schools and classrooms supportive, enriching places where vulnerable pupils achieve far more than they ever expected.

As a Learning Support Assistant, you will connect directly with the pupils we care for, helping to make sure they get the very best from their education. Each individual has so much potential, and they will rely on you to guide their learning journeys.

You will help prepare learning materials and run classroom activities, with plenty of hands-on experience and some supervision too. You will take responsibility for their emotional and physical needs, supporting them to develop as individuals and engage with the world.

Supporting pupils with complex Social Emotional Mental Health (SEMH) needs is important and rewarding work, and you will benefit from the tremendous support offered by our hugely experienced teams. As you help our pupils achieve real and significant progress, you will enjoy having a direct, positive impact on their developing lives.

Who we are looking for

You will be adaptable and ready to work in a variety of classroom roles, both indoors and outside according to individual need with a qualification in English/Maths. Taking a responsive and caring approach, you may be running classroom activities, leading outdoor experiences or supervising pupils as they explore further afield.

Our schools are built on great teamwork and mutual support. If you enjoy working as part of a dedicated team, sharing knowledge, experience and learning, simply fill in our safeguarding-compliant application form and a member of our team will be in touch.

Why join Acorn Education?

Benefits

Your health and wellbeing are important to us, so you’ll get an exceptional reward package including:

Life Assurance

Pension scheme with options to increase your contributions

“Your Wellbeing Matters” – access to a wide range of first-class mental health support services and physical health checks

And a market-leading benefit offering through our Flexible Benefits Platform, Vista, enables you to choose the package that’s right for you, including:

A wide range of health, wellbeing, and insurance benefits

100’s of discount options valid in the UK and abroad

Cycle to Work Schemes

Electric Car Purchase Scheme

Critical illness cover

Family Growth Support - inclusive benefits package covering enhanced maternity and paternity leave, along with paid fertility treatment support.

And that’s not all, we place the outcomes of the pupils and vulnerable young adults in our services at the heart of everything we do, so you’ll wake every day in the knowledge that your role will have a significant positive impact on the lives of others.

We are committed to the safeguarding and promoting the welfare of pupils and young people. All applicants will be subject to social media checks and successful applicants to a fully enhanced DBS.

We reserve the right to close the vacancy early if we receive a high volume of suitable applications.
• You’ll work 80% of your contractual hours for 100% of your pay, giving you more time to do the things that make you happy. 4DWW is subject to successful completion of probation and is not a contractual benefit
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