Job description
Learning Support Assistant – Secondary SEN Provision
Location: Winchester, Hampshire
Contract: Permanent, Full-Time
Start Date: ASAP / September 2026
Salary: Competitive, dependent on experience
Are you passionate about supporting young people with additional needs and looking for a permanent role where you can build a long-term career in education?
GSL Education are currently recruiting for a full-time Learning Support Assistant to join a welcoming and inclusive secondary school in Winchester.
This is an excellent opportunity for someone who wants to make a genuine difference to young people's lives while working within a supportive SEN team, with excellent opportunities for progression and professional development.
The school has a strong inclusive ethos and is committed to ensuring every student has the opportunity to achieve their potential, both academically and personally. The role will involve supporting students within the school's SEN provision, working closely with staff to ensure individual needs and EHCP outcomes are effectively supported.
The Role
As a Learning Support Assistant, you will work closely with students who have additional needs, providing targeted support both within the SEN base and, where appropriate, across mainstream lessons.
You will be supporting students in line with their Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs) and helping them to overcome barriers to learning, develop their confidence and become increasingly independent.
Your responsibilities will include:
- Providing one-to-one and small-group support to students with additional needs.
- Supporting students within the SEN base and mainstream classroom environments.
- Working closely with teaching staff and the wider SEN team to deliver appropriate support.
- Helping students to access the curriculum and engage positively with their learning.
- Supporting students with their individual EHCP targets and wider development.
- Building positive and trusting relationships with students.
- Encouraging independence, confidence and positive behaviour.
- Providing pastoral and emotional support where required.
- Helping students develop their social, communication and organisational skills.
- Monitoring progress and feeding back to teaching and SEN staff.
- Contributing to an inclusive and positive school environment.
What We're Looking For
Ideally, you will have previous experience working within a school, SEN setting, college, youth environment or similar.
However, experience is not essential for the right person.
We are also keen to hear from candidates with transferable experience who have worked with children, young people or vulnerable individuals in other settings.
This could include experience in:
- Care or support work
- Youth work
- Sports coaching
- Children's residential settings
- Social care
- Psychology or education
- Behaviour support
- Mentoring
- Healthcare
- Community support
- Working with individuals with additional needs
Most importantly, we are looking for someone with the right attitude, personality and commitment to supporting young people.
You will ideally be:
- Patient, calm and empathetic.
- Resilient and able to remain positive in challenging situations.
- Confident building relationships with young people.
- Passionate about helping students overcome barriers to learning.
- A strong communicator and team player.
- Consistent and reliable.
- Willing to learn and develop professionally.
- Able to demonstrate a genuine commitment to safeguarding and the wellbeing of students.
Why This Role?
This is more than simply a Learning Support Assistant position. The school is looking for someone who wants to become part of the team long-term.
There are opportunities to develop your SEN experience, take on additional responsibilities and progress within the school over time.
For someone considering a long-term career in education, SEN, teaching or pastoral support, this could be an excellent opportunity to gain valuable experience within an established secondary setting.
Why GSL Education?
At GSL Education, we pride ourselves on doing recruitment differently.
We have experienced education consultants who understand schools, understand the challenges educators face and have a proven track record of matching candidates with schools where they can genuinely thrive and build long-term careers.
You will have a dedicated consultant supporting you throughout the process, from your initial application through to interview and beyond.
We will provide:
- A dedicated and experienced education consultant.
- Honest and personalised career advice.
- Support preparing for interviews.
- Guidance throughout the recruitment process.
- Access to a wide range of education opportunities.
- Ongoing support once you are placed.
- A consultant who takes the time to understand what you are looking for.
If you're an experienced Learning Support Assistant looking for your next permanent opportunity, or you're currently working in another sector and want to move into education, we would love to hear from you.
Apply today and speak to the GSL Education team about this fantastic permanent opportunity in Winchester.