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).

If the trial is a success, we’ll be rolling the 4DWW out across the Group – so there’s never been a more exciting time to join #teamOFG!

Job Title:   Learning Support Assistant

Location:   Copper Fields School, Gunnislake PL18 9EH

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

Hours:       37.5 hours per week | Monday 8.30am-5.00pm | Tuesday to Friday 8.30am-3.45pm

Contract:   Permanent, Term Time Only

Start Date: September 2025

UK applicants only. This role does not offer sponsorship.

As part of our continued growth, Copper Fields School, part of Options Autism, is excited to offer a fantastic opportunity for a Learning Support Assistant to join our close-knit, passionate team.

About the Role

As a Learning Support Assistant (LSA), you will support our teachers in delivering creative, individualised learning experiences tailored to each pupil’s educational needs. You'll help maximise each pupil’s potential for academic success, emotional resilience, and personal development.

This role is perfect for someone looking to begin or grow a career in education—especially in SEN (Special Educational Needs) or Autism Spectrum Conditions (ASC). You’ll work closely with pupils with varied and complex needs in an inclusive, supportive, and safeguarding-focused environment where pupil voice and wellbeing are always prioritised.

Your Key Responsibilities

• Support individual pupils or small groups, both inside and outside the classroom
• Help prepare classroom materials and create engaging learning environments
• Build strong, positive relationships with pupils to promote learning and interaction
• Support teachers with lesson planning and delivery where appropriate
• Foster a calm, safe, and supportive space for every pupil to grow

Who We’re Looking For

We welcome applications from people with a variety of backgrounds. While prior experience working in SEN/ASC is advantageous, it’s not essential. What really matters is your motivation, resilience, and desire to make a difference.

This role may suit you if you're currently working in:

• Retail, hospitality, or other customer-facing roles and looking for a meaningful career change
• A school or care setting and want to deepen your impact
• Or if you are just beginning your journey into education and are ready to learn and grow

You’ll Be:

• Compassionate, calm, and patient
• Resilient and adaptable to changing situations
• A strong team player with good communication skills
• Motivated by helping young people achieve their potential

About Us

Copper Fields School provides full-time specialist co-education for up to 60 pupils aged 4-16, who have a primary need of Autism Spectrum, communication and language and often additional needs.

Our vision to empower our learners to achieve their best outcomes is achieved through high quality education, in preparation for life. Our wonderful setting in Gunnislake facilitates a nurturing approach for students who have found the mainstream environment unable to meet their needs and a barrier to them being the best they can be. We pride ourselves on our culture of everyone being a unique individual. Together we achieve, through recognising and harnessing our strengths. We aim to unearth hidden talents and interests, inspire and empower.

For over 16 years Options Autism have provided care and education to pupils and adults with autism, complex needs and learning difficulties. 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.

Why join Options Autism?

We place the outcomes of the pupils 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 safeguarding and promoting the welfare of pupils. All applicants will be subject to social media checks and successful applicants to a fully enhanced DBS.

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.

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.

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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