Orchard Hill College & Academy Trust
Learning Support Assistant
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Salary: Grade D, Point 15-20: Actual salary: £22,752.34 - £24,084.30 pa (FTE £29,432 - £31,155 pa) Negotiated on appointment, depending on experience and qualifications
Location: Dysart School, 190 Ewell Road, KT6 6HL
Working Pattern: 32.5 hours per week, 8.45am – 4.00pm, term time only.
Dysart School is an Outstanding special school in Kingston, providing education for pupils aged 4 to 19 with a range of severe and complex learning difficulties.
To help meet the growing demand for high-quality SEN provision in the borough, Dysart also operates three satellite sites located alongside local mainstream schools - creating inclusive opportunities and expanding access to specialist support.
Its main site, located in Surbiton, is bright and well equipped to support the development of its pupils, including Early Years classrooms with outdoor learning spaces, an onsite work-related learning kitchen, an accessible swimming pool, sensory room, soft play and adventure play areas, and clearly defined outside spaces that support pupils’ learning and self-regulation.
Dysart School is a progressive and innovative place to work and staff are offered opportunities through regular training and support to develop their own practice.
Are you interested in supporting young people with severe learning disabilities, including Autism? We are seeking to recruit Learning Support Assistants who have the drive, creativity and a passion for teaching and learning to join our dedicated and welcoming team. Experience of working with pupils with SEN is desirable but not essential. What is imperative is that you have high expectations, a sense of humour, a love of challenge and a determination to make a difference to the lives of our fantastic children. The successful candidates will play a crucial role in supporting our pupils’ learning.
Key Responsibilities:
- To deliver excellent support for learning under the direction of the teacher.
- Follow instructions and guidance from class teacher to provide support for pupils, reinforcing their learning and ensuring their understanding.
- Staff are expected to participate in all aspects of the curriculum and school life including but not exclusive to swimming, LOTC (Learning Outside the Classroom) Activities, Residential (unless exceptional circumstances and/or certified medical reasons are provided to the governing body).
- Attending all whole school INSET days/twilight sessions.
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Key Requirements:
- Good numeracy and literacy skills
- GCSE grade A – C or equivalent in Literacy and Numeracy (desirable)
- Proven successful experience of working or supporting children in an educational setting or in the community
- Ability to work constructively as part of a team understanding classroom roles and responsibilities and your own position within those responsibilities.
Rewards & Benefits:
- Pathways for progression within the trust, ensuring you can grow and thrive in a supportive and inclusive environment
- Pension Scheme - you will be enrolled in either the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) or the Teachers' Pension Scheme (TPS), both offering life cover and financial protection for your family
- Salary Sacrifice Schemes (Cycle Scheme, Employee Car Lease Scheme and Home Electronics Scheme)
- Employee Wellbeing - We support employee wellbeing with access to counselling, mental health support, generous leave, flexible working, and enhanced parental leave including Employee Assistance Programme, MyGym Discounts, Corporate Eyecare Scheme and Free Virtual GP Appointments
- Employee Discounts (Blue Light Card, Costco Membership, Discounts for Teachers, and more)
- Other (Season Ticket Loan and Employee Referral Scheme)
Find out what makes Orchard Hill College and Academy Trust a truly rewarding place to work – visit our ‘Work for Us’ page to learn more about our values, opportunities and the difference our staff make every day.
Our Trust:
Dysart School is part of Orchard Hill College and Academy Trust. We are a family of specialist education providers from pre-school through to further education across London, Surrey, Sussex and Berkshire and fully represent all designations of special education needs and disabilities (SEND). To find out more about us, and what makes us a special place to work please visit our website.
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We are committed to promoting and advancing equality of opportunity by attracting and retaining the most diverse range of students, staff and partners.
Working together to transform lives is what we do and across the whole organisation we have a range of experts and practitioners who advocate for children and young people with SEND to ensure they receive the best possible opportunities to achieve their full potential.
As a large specialist education provider we employ over 1500 people across our schools, college and central support team. There is a wide range of job roles available, ranging from teaching and therapy to business support roles and significant career progression opportunities.
It is an exciting time to be part of OHCAT and we are keen to recruit talented people who can play a key role in realising our mission and who want to make a difference. In return, we offer training and development, competitive pay and benefits in a positive and inclusive working environment.
If you wish to discuss this opportunity before or after submitting an application form, please get in touch with the School directly. Visits to the School in advance of applications are encouraged.
Closing Date: Monday 7 September 2026
Interviews will take place: week commencing 21 September 2026
To help us manage applications effectively, we reserve the right to close this vacancy early if sufficient suitable applications are received.
Safeguarding Statement
Orchard Hill College and Academy Trust are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Appointments made will be subject to an Enhanced Disclosure via the Disclosure and Barring Service. This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and the amendments to the Exceptions Order 1975, 2013 and 2020. Orchard Hill College and Academy Trust is proud to be a Disability Confident Employer, committed to creating an inclusive and supportive workplace for all.
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