Learning Support Assistant (Adolescent Community / Secondary)

The Maria Montessori School is looking for a caring, proactive and resilient Learning Support Assistant to join our Adolescent Community, supporting students aged 13–18 as part of our Inclusion and Wellbeing Team, providing coordinated support for students with additional needs. This is a unique opportunity to develop expertise in both Montessori and SEND within an independent school that follows the UK curriculum through the authentic Montessori method. You will benefit from training, mentoring and ongoing development within one of the world’s leading AMI Montessori organisations.
Whether you are a SEND practitioner interested in Montessori, or a Montessori practitioner looking to deepen your knowledge of inclusive education and adolescent development, we would love to hear from you. Previous Montessori experience is not essential.

As a Learning Support Assistant, you will:

• Provide one-to-one and small-group support that promotes confidence, independence and successful participation in learning.
• Deliver agreed interventions and implement support strategies developed by the SENDCo and specialist professionals.
• Support students with a range of SEND, adapting your approach to meet individual needs.
• Respond to behaviour using calm, consistent, trauma-informed and attachment-aware approaches.
• Support students during practical activities, sport and wider school experiences, helping them participate safely and confidently.
• Work collaboratively with teachers, therapists, families and the Inclusion & Wellbeing Team.

We are looking for someone who has:

• Experience working with children or adolescents in education, care or a community setting.
• A calm, warm and patient approach with the ability to build trusting relationships.
• Strong communication, observation and organisational skills.
• A proactive, flexible and collaborative attitude.
• A genuine commitment to inclusion, safeguarding and student wellbeing.
• An interest in Montessori education and a willingness to continue learning.

• Experience supporting children or young people with SEND.
• Experience in mainstream, specialist, alternative or Montessori education.
• Knowledge of neurodevelopmental differences, including autism, ADHD, specific learning differences, speech, language and communication needs (SLCN), and sensory processing differences.
• Familiarity with trauma-informed and/or attachment-aware approaches.
• A relevant qualification in education, SEND, childcare, psychology or a related field.
• AMI Montessori training or courses.
• Fluency in Spanish.

At the Maria Montessori School, you will have the opportunity to:

• Develop a unique combination of Montessori and SEND expertise.
• Receive training, mentoring and ongoing professional development.
• Work alongside experienced SENDCo and Montessori educators.
• Gain valuable experience supporting adolescents within an authentic Montessori environment.
• Join a warm, collaborative and highly supportive Team.
• Develop a rare combination of Montessori and SEND expertise, enhancing future career opportunities across education, SEND and the international Montessori community.

This is an exciting opportunity to join a school that values curiosity, collaboration and professional growth while making a meaningful difference to the lives of young people.

Candidates must have permission to work in the UK and be able to commute daily into London. We don’t offer sponsorship.

Please apply with your up-to-date CV and a covering letter outlining your interest in the role and send it to jacqueline.alexander@mariamontessori.org

The Maria Montessori Institute and School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. All appointments are subject to satisfactory references, safer recruitment checks and an Enhanced DBS.