Learning Support Assistant - Recruitment Pack

Learning Support Assistant Part time (0.6 FTE)

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Leaders maintain a school culture that actively promotes inclusion and mutual respect highly successfully.

This is a significant strength of the school.

ISI Inspection - 2025

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Co-education: phased entry from 2027 See our brochure for further details

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Extensive individual support enables pupils to...develop a breadth of knowledge and enthusiasm for scholarship.

This is a significant strength of the school.

ISI Inspection - 2025

HEAD’S WELCOME Welcome to RGS Prep.

Step through the front door and you will be met with a warm welcome, the sight of inquisitive, energetic and courteous children and the feeling that anything is possible.

Our Six Values of Collaboration, Courage, Inclusivity, Integrity, Respect and Scholarship are at the core of all that we do. We nurture these Values through small class sizes, individualised academic and pastoral support and most importantly, the passion of our staff.

We announced in December last year the exciting news that RGS will become coeducational, offering girls the same opportunities that our boys enjoy. RGS Prep will admit girls into our main entry points: Nursery, Reception and Year 3 in September 2027 and the transition will then progress organically through the year groups. You can read more in our brochure (see opposite).

Staff at RGS Prep join us from a range of backgrounds and bring with them a wide variety of beliefs and interests. We actively encourage staff to share these with our assemblies, lessons, 'Inspire' days, workshops and extra-curricular provision.

If you are offered a position here, you would be joining a close-knit and collaborative team.

I look forward to receiving your application.

Toby Freeman-Day, Head

JOB DESCRIPTION & PROFESSIONAL EXPECTATIONS Job Title:

Learning Support Assistant

Responsible to: Head of Learning Support Responsible for: No direct reports

Job Purpose To support pupils’ learning, development, and wellbeing within the classroom and through interventions The post holder will work under the guidance of the Head of Learning Support and

Head of Wellbeing to provide targeted academic support, help remove barriers to learning and contribute to a safe, inclusive and nurturing learning environment.

Key Responsibilities •

Observe, monitor and record pupil progress, feeding back to teachers and Head of Learning Support.

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Support teachers in planning and delivering learning activities for individuals, small groups, and whole classes.

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Assist pupils with their learning, encouraging independence, engagement, and positive behaviour.

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Adapt resources and activities to meet the needs of pupils, including those with

SEND. •

Provide practical support during lessons, transitions, and school activities.

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Support behaviour management in line with school policies.

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Assist with classroom organisation, preparation of resources, and displays.

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Follow the agreed school policies and guidelines

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Support initiatives decided by the Head, Heads of Department and staff

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Assist the class teacher in keeping appropriate and efficient records

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Participate in the appraisal of their own performance

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Be aware of the needs of all pupils in the class

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Maintain an up-to-date knowledge of current support through attendance at regular training

Safeguarding & Pastoral Responsibilities •

Promote the safeguarding and welfare of children at all times.

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Follow school safeguarding, child protection, and confidentiality policies.

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Report any concerns regarding pupil welfare or safety to the Designated Safeguarding Lead.

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Act as a positive role model, promoting respect, inclusion, and emotional wellbeing.

Professional Responsibilities •

Work collaboratively with staff, parents/carers, and external professionals where appropriate.

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Participate in training, Inset days, meetings, and performance management.

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Reflect on practice and engage in professional development, particularly relating to SEND and emotional wellbeing.

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Uphold the school’s values, policies, and ethos.

Person Specification Essential •

Experience of working with children or young people in an educational or

care setting.

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Ability to build positive, trusting relationships with pupils.

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Good communication and teamwork skills.

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Ability to maintain confidentiality and professional boundaries.

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Commitment to safeguarding and promoting children’s welfare.

Desirable •

Experience working with pupils with SEND, SEMH, or additional needs.

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Knowledge of attachment, trauma-informed practice, or mental health support.

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Experience delivering targeted interventions or pastoral support.

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Relevant qualifications (e.g. Teaching Assistant qualification, childcare qualification).

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Ability to support maths up to Year 6 above the national average standard

WORKING AT RGS PREP Your career at RGS Prep begins with a warm welcome and comprehensive induction.

You will be introduced to colleagues, key people within the school and fellow new starters from across the departments.

Opportunities to get involved in wider school activities are many and varied; sporting fixtures, theatre productions and residential trips to name just a few. Then there are the social groups set up by and for colleagues ranging from badminton to bingo and one-off events such as theatre trips. However you choose to get involved, you are guaranteed to find yourself among like-minded individuals.

We are proactively committed to creating a diverse staff body, which reflects the community that we teach. At RGS Prep we value diversity and inclusion; we want to attract the best people for the roles available. This is regardless of age, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender, disability, socioeconomic status or religious beliefs.

Gaby

PA to the Head, joined 2025 What's the best thing about working at the RGS? Being part of a friendly, warm and professional community, oh and the lunches...

If you could choose any other career, what would it be?

Mountain guide.

Antonia

Receptionist, joined 2019 What do you love about your department?

Every day is different.

If you could choose any other career, what would it be?

Owning my own coffee shop

Louis

Head of DT and Teacher of Games, joined 2015

What's the best thing about working at the RGS? Every day is different. I never know what enjoyment or challenges the school day will throw at me.

Which staff social groups are you involved in?

Most of them, I love a social.

BENEFITS In addition to joining a successful and sociable staff body you will also receive the following benefits: Hours of work

Part time, 8am to 4pm, three days a week, term time only

Remuneration

£14,800 per annum (actual salary)

Fee reduction

Fee reduction for child(ren) of staff is available (after a qualifying period and subject to success at the entrance examination).

Pension

All support staff are automatically enrolled into the company pension scheme. The level of contribution by the individual is 5% the School will contribute 10%.

Private healthcare

Private medical cover is available for all staff. This is paid for by the School but is a taxable benefit so there is an indirect cost to the individual.

Pension

All support staff are automatically enrolled into the company pension scheme. The level of contribution by the individual is 5% the School will contribute 10%.

Dining

A choice of hot lunches, a delicious salad bar and range of desserts are provided daily in the staff dining room during term time.

Employee Assistance Programme

A free, confidential counselling & wellbeing support service that can support you, your partner or spouse, and dependent children over 16 still living at home.

ABOUT RGS PREP RGS Prep is a kind, inclusive, tolerant community where diverse opportunity, personal development, high achievement and collaborative partnership define who we are.

RGS Prep is a long-established IAPS school for approximately 330 pupils, which has occupied the same site in a quiet, leafy residential area of Guildford since 1930. It is well known for its excellent academic and pastoral strengths, alongside outstanding music departments and strong sport and extra-curricular opportunities for all pupils.

Aims & Ethos RGS Prep's academic reputation is justly well-known but what sets it apart is its warm and purposeful atmosphere. Pupils are offered a happy, caring and stimulating environment where they can progress to their full potential. An excellent all-round education based on skilled teaching in small classes is at the heart of RGS Prep's approach to learning which strives to provide the widest possible range of experiences.

RGS Prep guides each pupil on their journey and gives them the skills and understanding of how to learn, not just what to learn. Visitors to RGS Prep are struck not only by the cheerful, purposeful atmosphere of the school but also by the diversity of its activities.

The school also aims to develop those qualities that cannot be measured by academic assessment. The development of each pupil’s interpersonal skills, team spirit, strong selfawareness and leadership potential is achieved through a broad range of extra-curricular activities which also foster curiosity, creativity and individuality.

Curriculum In the Early Years at RGS Prep, we follow the statutory framework provided by the Department for Education for Early Years providers. The Nursery and Reception (Shell) classes, work on a two-year rolling programme of topics to ensure a wide range of content and smooth transition from Nursery to Shell.

As well as following the seven areas of learning, pupils enjoy a variety of specialist lessons including Music, French, PE and Outdoor Learning. They also have access to iPads and a digital screen within the classroom to ensure ICT is part of their learning from an early age.

How the pupils learn is tantamount to their success, hence they enjoy collecting credits when they display learning habits such as responsible risk-taking, persistence, independence and accuracy.

Pupils are supported by a teacher and teaching assistant in each class to ensure that their learning can be tailored to their needs and interests. The Learning Support department can also offer advice and extra lessons as appropriate. Pupils enjoy a variety of trips and visits from specialist providers throughout the year, helping to broaden the curriculum and enhance their social skills.

In Years 1 and 2, the curriculum offers a broad content of study, using the National Curriculum (KS1) as a basic framework. The combination of group work activities and high individual attention, promotes appropriate learning for all children across the various levels of ability. Specialist teaching takes place in PE, music, drama and French. The curriculum is planned to smooth the transition into KS2.

Facilities Close links to the RGS senior school has encouraged academic standards to be pushed higher and the school has invested in new facilities.

Since the millennium, RGS Prep has continued to evolve to meet the needs of a rapidly changing world and has more than twice as many teachers as 30 years ago. Digital technology and interactive whiteboards are in place throughout the school. A new state-of-the-art Sports Hall was opened in 2016, a dedicated rehearsal space for RGS Guildford Cathedral choristers in 2022 and a Pre-Prep Library in 2023. Throughout the last 10 years, new outside spaces have been created and refurbished in both the Prep and Pre-Prep departments including an adventure playground, outdoor classrooms and permanent cricket nets.

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Leadership opportunities begin in the Prep school, such as sitting on the equality, diversity and inclusion council."

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Staff in early years support children's social development well.

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ISI Inspection - 2025

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ISI Inspection - 2025

WHY WORK IN GUILDFORD? Guildford is a vibrant and exciting place in which to live. Rich in history, it is a welcoming town with a flourishing and varied cultural life. Entertainment is diverse with a number of lively and nationally renowned venues including G Live, the Yvonne Arnaud theatre and the eclectic Electric Theatre. There are outstanding sport and leisure facilities which include the state-of-the-art training venues and sports complexes of Surrey Sports Park and Guildford Spectrum. Guildford offers one of the south east’s best shopping experiences with the iconic High Street combining exclusive and popular national chains as well as a number of independent retailers. Dining options cater for every taste and budget with local traditional and gastro pubs in nearby Surrey villages drawing customers from a wide area.

Educationally, Guildford is thriving. RGS Guildford is regularly ranked in the top ten single-sex schools in the country. RGS also enjoys close links with other girls’ schools, Guildford High School, Tormead School and St Catherine’s, Bramley. The University of Surrey was awarded ‘University of the Year for Graduate Employment’ by The Times and The Sunday Times Good University Guide 2022.

Guildford has the advantage of being very accessible and enjoys excellent transport links. London is just over a 30-mile drive via the A3 and well served by trains (just 29 minutes to Clapham Junction and 39 minutes to London Waterloo). International airports London Gatwick and London Heathrow are only 30 minutes from the town.

Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty are close by; the Surrey Hills and North Downs are on the school's doorstep and provide opportunities to enjoy the stunning countryside; the south coast is approximately one hour by car.

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The town of Guildford, which I, who have seen so many, many towns, think is the prettiest and…most happy-looking, that I ever saw in my life.

William Cobbett

GUILDFORD The setting: The Surrey Hills North Downs South Downs Picturesque villages The south coast

The North Downs

Travel by rail: Clapham Junction 29 minutes, London Waterloo 39 minutes Portsmouth Harbour 60 minutes Gatwick Airport 45 minutes

Guildford Castle

Travel by road: London 32 miles via the A3, Heathrow 22 miles; Gatwick 34 miles via A3 and M25 Portsmouth 44 miles; Brighton 59 miles

Abbot’s Hospital

SAFEGUARDING OF CHILDREN & SECURITY OF DISCLOSURE INFORMATION The Royal Grammar School, Guildford meets the requirements in respect of exempted questions under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. All applicants who are offered employment will be subject to an enhanced criminal record check from the DBS before the appointment is confirmed. This will include details of cautions, reprimands or final warnings, as well as convictions. It is of fundamental importance to The Royal Grammar School to ensure, so far as possible, that those who take up appointments do not pose a risk to the children in its care.

Further details will be sent to applicants invited to interview which will expand on the above.

APPLICATIONS We are proactively committed to creating a diverse staff body, which reflects the community that we teach. At RGS we value diversity and inclusion; we want to attract the best people for the roles available. This is regardless of age, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender, disability, socioeconomic status or religious beliefs.

Please note: applications will be considered on receipt and we reserve the right to close applications early.

TO SEE MORE FROM RGS PREP… Visit our social media platforms for photographs, fly-on-the-wall insights, news, events, and much, much more.

RGS Prep School

@rgsprep

Royal Grammar School Guildford

Ro yal Grammar School Guildford is a company limited by guarantee in corporated in England and Wales, Company N umber 10874615. Registered Office High Street, Guildford, Surrey, GU1 3BB. Registered Charity N umber 1177353