Learning Support Assistant

This school has Academy status and is part of the PROSPER Multi Academy Trust; the employer will be the Multi Academy Trust.

Harry Watts Academy
Ramillies Road
Sunderland
Tyne and Wear
SR5 5JA

Start date: June and September 2025

Looking for an exciting new role to support teaching pupils with autism and a learning disability?

This role is perfect for a positive and professional individual with:

• A Level 2 Qualification related to education (e.g. Teaching Assistant or Nursery Nurse qualifications) or a Level 3 qualification
• A clear understanding of the Special Needs Assistant’s role
• Preferably some experience working in a classroom

Sounds like the role for you? Read on!

Harry Watts Academy is a specialist free school in Sunderland which opened in September 2020 for autistic pupils aged between 5-16 years with a learning disability. We pride ourselves on having a shared belief that all children have a right to the best education that can be provided and a learning and working environment where all are respected, valued and achievements celebrated.

Harry Watts Academy is a split site school, with locations in both Sunderland (Redhouse) and Washington (Harraton). Currently, our Engage and Explore pathways are based at Redhouse and our Discover pathway is based at Harraton. You will therefore be willing to support the teaching and learning of pupils on any of our three pathways on either of our sites.

As a valued member of our team, you will:

• Assist the class teacher in supporting the teaching and learning of our pupils
• Help children to overcome barriers to learning and develop their social and emotional skills, to encourage them to achieve their full potential
• Work alongside internal and external staff contributing to the development of a positive and inclusive setting that meets the needs of all our pupils

Ready to make a significant impact in the lives of our pupils?

If you are ready to make a significant impact in the lives of our pupils and be part of a vibrant, forward-thinking community, we would love to hear from you. This is a chance to be at the heart of something truly special and work alongside the wonderful pupils at our school.

To learn more about Harry Watts Academy and Prosper Learning Trust, please visit our websites.

Benefits of working for Prosper Learning Trust

Prosper Learning Trust was established in January 2018 to help vulnerable young people succeed against the odds. Four core values underpin everything we do as a Trust, these are Aspiration, Integrity, Resilience and Kindness. We are looking for staff who share those values and want to support our young people.

The Trust currently have 5 schools in the region:

• Newcastle Bridges School – Alternative Provision academy offering education to pupils unable to access mainstream school due to medical needs including hospitalised children and young people (3-19 years)
• Mary Astell Academy – Alternative Provision academy offering education to permanently excluded pupils and pupils who are struggling in mainstream school (11-16 years)
• Thomas Bewick Special School – Special School academy for pupils with a diagnosis of autism (3-19 years)
• Harry Watts Academy – Special School academy for pupils with a diagnosis of autism (5-16 years)
• Gilbert Ward Academy – Special School academy for pupils with SEMH or a diagnosis of autism (11-16 years)

Prosper Learning Trust was also recently named as the lead partner in the opening of a new Free School in Jarrow, South Tyneside. This school will be a Special School academy for pupils with SEMH (4-11 years).

The successful candidate will be deployed initially at Harry Watts Academy but will be expected to work at any Prosper Learning Trust site should the need arise.

The Trust is proud to say that we match the Real Living Wage and we also offer successful candidates:

• A friendly and supportive team of staff who are willing to share expertise and learn from one another
• Opportunities for career development and support with development through Trust wide Continuing Professional Development (CPD) programmes
• Access to an Employee Assistance Programme and support from the Trust's Wellbeing Network Group
• Access to either Teacher's Pension or Local Government Pension Scheme, each with favourable employer contribution rates.
• Employee centred policies that support you in and beyond the workplace
• Funded eye tests for DSE users (subject to T/Cs)
• Cycle to work scheme

For more information on why we think you should work for us see our Trust website, where you will also find videos of what our current staff think.

Please note that all successful candidates will be required to complete an online pre-employment medical questionnaire.

For further information please see the following link: Job Listing.