Learning Support Assistant

Full Job Description

We believe in giving you more time to do the things you love outside of work

Job Title:  Learning Support Assistant 
Location:  Waterloo Lodge School, Chorley, Lancashire PR6 7AX
Hours:      40 hours per week | Monday–Friday | 8.30am - 4.30pm
Salary:      £23,638 per annum (not pro rata)
Contract:  Permanent | Term Time Only
Start:        October 2026
UK applicants only – no sponsorship available

About the Role

At Waterloo Lodge School, we’re looking for a caring, positive and resilient Learning Support Assistant who wants to make a genuine difference to young people every day.

You’ll work alongside experienced teachers and a supportive wider team, helping pupils with varied and complex needs overcome barriers to learning, build confidence and experience success. Your support could be the encouragement that helps a pupil complete a piece of work, manage a difficult moment, try something new or simply believe in themselves a little more.

Learning at Waterloo Lodge goes beyond the classroom, so you’ll have the opportunity to get involved in practical activities, outdoor learning, educational visits and enrichment experiences. It’s a varied and rewarding role where no two days are quite the same and every achievement matters.

What you will be doing

• Provide individual, small group and classroom support, helping pupils access learning and work towards their individual goals
• Work alongside teachers to deliver a broad, engaging and personalised curriculum
• Build positive and trusting relationships that help pupils feel safe, understood and ready to learn
• Support educational and behavioural programmes tailored around individual needs
• Encourage pupils to develop confidence, independence, communication and positive relationships
• Provide calm and consistent support for emotional wellbeing and positive behaviour
• Monitor and record academic, social and emotional progress, sharing relevant information with the wider team
• Prepare resources and materials that help make learning engaging, accessible and enjoyable
• Get involved in educational visits, enrichment activities and learning beyond the classroom, including providing transport where required

What you will bring

We’re looking for someone who understands that progress looks different for every young person and is ready to celebrate the small steps as much as the big achievements.

You’ll need:

• GCSE English and Maths at Grade 4 or C or above, or equivalent
• A caring, patient and compassionate approach to supporting young people
• The ability to build positive and trusting relationships
• A calm and resilient attitude when faced with challenging situations
• A flexible approach and the ability to adapt your support around individual needs
• Strong communication skills and the ability to work collaboratively with colleagues
• Enthusiasm and a willingness to get involved in different activities and experiences
• A genuine desire to help young people grow in confidence, develop independence and achieve their potential

About Us

Waterloo Lodge School is an independent specialist day school for boys and girls aged 11 to 17, catering primarily for pupils with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), many of whom may also have additional complex needs. We support pupils from Lancashire and the surrounding areas.

Our dedicated team works collaboratively to provide a safe, supportive and structured learning environment that enables every pupil to achieve their full potential. We are committed to nurturing each young person’s individual strengths and aspirations, supporting their independence, social and personal development.

We pride ourselves on helping pupils build confidence, resilience and independence, encouraging them to take pride in their achievements and to develop the skills they need for the next stage of their education and future life. Socially, we support our students to develop a greater understanding of the wider community in which they live and to participate in it with confidence and respect.

For over 19 years Options Autism have provided care and education to pupils, young people and adults with autism, complex needs and learning difficulties. We are a leading provider of education for neurodivergent young people and young adults. 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 2025, Outcomes First Group were officially certified as a ‘Great Place to Work’ for the sixth year running.

Why Join Us?

We place pupils and vulnerable young adults at the heart of everything we do, so every day brings the satisfaction of making a real difference. 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.

• Life Assurance
• Pension scheme with options to increase contributions
• “Your Wellbeing Matters” – mental health support and physical health checks
• Flexible Benefits Platform (Vista), including:
• Health, wellbeing and insurance benefits
• Hundreds of UK and international discounts
• Cycle to Work Scheme & Electric Car Purchase Scheme
• Critical illness cover
• Family Growth Support, including enhanced maternity/paternity leave and paid fertility treatment support

We reserve the right to close the vacancy early if we receive a high volume of suitable applications.

Outcomes First Group is committed to carrying out a fair, thorough and efficient recruitment process in line with Keeping Children Safe in Education. Whilst we aim to keep applicants informed throughout, Outcomes First Group does not accept liability for any loss of earnings or other associated costs incurred by applicants as a result of delays or changes in the compliance process. All stages of the compliance process are subject to necessary safeguarding checks and compliance with statutory requirements, which may affect timescales.

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