Learning Support Specialist - Term Time - Special Needs Position

City of Rochester School, Cliffe Woods

• Ref:KCC887-6011-123S
• Posted:16/01/2026
• Pay:Between £20,116 to £23,252.33 Pay Scale Actual
• Start Date:Immediate
• App Close Date:31/03/2026 at 12:00
• Interviews:TBC

Advert

“A good school with outstanding Pupil Personal Development and Behaviour and Attitudes" Ofsted 2024

The City of Rochester School is a specialist independent school for children, young people with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD).

Now is an exciting time to join this wonderful school. We believe that personalised teaching and learning in an autism specific environment allows pupils’ individual needs to be met and their capabilities fully realised. Our vision is powerful and ambitious.

We are seeking 1:1 Learning Support Assistants at primary and secondary level, including supporting pupils in Reception class using the Engagement Model and Continuous Provision.

We offer:

• £20,116 to £23,252.33 Pay Scale Actual, depending on experience and qualifications
• Employer’s pension contribution of 8%
• All school holidays plus up to 10 additional days holiday entitlement
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Full induction programme
• Monthly professional training and development
• 5 Inset Days with a focus on autism best practice and curriculum knowledge and development
• Career progression routes from Learning Support, to Higher Level Teaching Assistant to Unqualified Teacher to fully qualified teacher status for the right candidates

We aim to:

• Provide excellence in education outcomes for all children
• Develop independence and self-advocacy
• Support children's social, emotional and personal development

You should have:

• Level 2/3 NVQ: Learning Support or the willingness to work towards it
• A Youth Worker qualification or the willingness to work towards
• Good literacy and numeracy skills
• Ability to communicate effectively with learners and their parents/carers
• Ability to work collaboratively with parents
• Patience and a commitment to positive behaviour support
• A current drivers licence with the ability to drive the school minibus if/when required 

Your role will include:

• Providing 1:1 support for pupils with ASD across primary or secondary settings
• Supporting pupils across a range of curriculums, including BTECs, the National Curriculum, life skills programmes and Pre-Key Stage learning
• Contributing to high-quality Continuous Provision that promotes independance, exploration and communication
• Delivering personalised learning activities tailored to pupils individual needs
• Providing intimate care where required, following school policies, training and safeguarding expectations
• Supporting learning inside and outside the classroom to help pupils progress and fulfil their potential
• Working Closely with the class teacher, therapy team and wider staff to ensure a consistent approach
• Promoting positive behaviour, emotional regulation and wellbeing

Prior experience of working with ASD learners is desireable but not essential. If you have a positive attitude and committment, we will support you to develop your career in this specialist area as part of a strong and supportive team. 

Information about the school

Welcome from the Headteacher of City of Rochester School.

City of Rochester School is a specialist school for children and young people aged 5–18 with a diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Condition (ASC). We are proud of our pupils, our strong partnerships with parents and carers, and our dedicated staff team who work together to create a safe, happy and inspiring environment for learning.

As a small school, we offer a highly personalised and bespoke curriculum built around the individual pupil. Guided by our core principles of Confidence, Resilience and Success, our curriculum is broad and ambitious, combining academic, vocational and creative learning delivered through a therapeutic and nurturing approach.

From Key Stage 3 to Key Stage 5, pupils can access a range of accredited programmes, from entry-level qualifications to GCSEs and beyond. Experiential learning is a key feature of our curriculum and includes opportunities such as forest school, STEM activities, photography, wellbeing, music, geographical exploration and meaningful work experience. Pupils in Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2 also access age-appropriate vocational experiences at the Vocational College that build early practical skills, curiosity and independence.

Our partners include Squirrell’s Riding School, Larkin Farm, Creepy Claws Farm, Medway League of Friends and St Helen’s Church – to name a few. These partners understand the individual needs of our pupils and work with patience, flexibility and care to support confidence, inclusion and success beyond the classroom.

A key strength of the school is our Vocational College, which provides practical, hands-on pathways for pupils who thrive through technical and vocational learning. Courses include construction trades, engineering and motor vehicle studies, with English and mathematics embedded throughout. This provision is particularly well suited to pupils who do not enjoy learning in a traditional classroom environment and who are motivated by learning through "doing".

Our post-16 provision, based at the Vocational College, focuses on preparing pupils for adulthood and life after education. Bespoke programmes develop independence, employability and life skills, including access to our on-site flat and extended work experience opportunities that support successful next steps.

Alongside academic learning, we place a strong emphasis on pupils’ social, emotional and communication development. Our therapeutic approach is embedded across the school and supported by a wraparound therapy team, including speech and language therapy, occupational therapy, play therapy, arts therapy and counselling. Strong relationships between staff, pupils and families form the foundation of our work.

During the most recent Ofsted Inspection in July 2024, inspectors recognised that “the school has designed its educational offer very carefully to ensure that pupils achieve well academically,” with learning that “deliberately builds on what came before and enables pupils to build their knowledge and understanding in manageable steps.” They also noted that pupils “work hard to meet the school’s high expectations for their behaviour and conduct and to achieve well in their learning.”

This picture is strongly reinforced by feedback from our Parent Survey (2025), where all parents who responded said that their child is happy at City of Rochester School and spoke positively about the progress their child has made both academically and personally. Parents highlighted improvements in confidence, engagement with learning and readiness for next steps, saying that the consistent support helps pupils achieve success in ways that are meaningful for them.

City of Rochester School also benefits from an experienced and supportive Trustee Board, whose breadth of knowledge and expertise provides strong strategic oversight and ensures a continued focus on high standards and positive outcomes for pupils.

We are proud of our school community and warmly welcome you to City of Rochester School.

Alicja Emmett Headteacher

Job Contact Information

• Name:Maria Abbott
• Address:City Of Rochester School, Bradbury House, View Road, Cliffe Woods, Kent, ME3 8UJ
• Telephone: 01634 570706
• Email: maria.abbott@cityofrochesterschool.org

Fax: 1003

Documents

Below are documents that have been added to this vacancy.

• LSS JD
• Application Form