Learning Coach (with ELSA) - Secondary Phase

Job Introduction

Permanent 
 37 hours per week, term time only 
 39 weeks per year

Monday to Thursday 8am to 4pm and Friday 8am to 3.30pm
 Grade D
 FTE £27,780 - £30,564
 Actual salary £23,762 - £26,143

The Westgate School is a warm, vibrant and forward-thinking community where colleagues and pupils learn together. As an Ofsted-rated ‘Outstanding’ school, we are proud of our culture of academic excellence.

We are seeking to recruit a Learning Coach who also offers ELSA sessions as part of their role. Central to the position is the ability to support pupils using evidence-based interventions both inside and outside the classroom, so they are able to learn effectively and participate fully in the life of the school.  The job involves working with groups of secondary aged pupils as well as working 1:1 with pupils in a variety of areas including social, emotional and behavioural regulation.

Why join us?

Working at The Westgate School means becoming part of a friendly, skilled and supportive team invested in your success. With 1,620 pupils across our two phases, we are lucky to have excellent teaching facilities. We take pride in a lovely environment for teaching and learning and enjoy our location in the centre of Winchester.

The Westgate School is the lead school for the Winchester Schools Training Alliance (WSTA), working with 21 other schools in the Winchester district to train the next generation of teachers. Support colleagues employed by The Westgate School wanting to go on to apply for the WSTA training programme will automatically be offered an interview providing the course requirements are met. 

What Ofsted says:

“The Westgate School is a happy and vibrant community, where pupils are encouraged to aim for excellence” Ofsted, September 2022

“Outstanding” Ofsted, November 2023

“Staff are incredibly proud to work at this school” Ofsted 2024

Benefits of working at The Westgate School:

• Full induction programme including professional learning and mentoring to ensure your success in the role
• Ongoing professional development in one of Hampshire’s top schools for progress and attainment
• A friendly and welcoming school community
• Automatic enrolment to a generous local government pension scheme
• Benefits of local government sick pay
• On-site parking and access to EV charging stations
• Free use of health and fitness facilities
• Preferential nursery places in the on-site nursery at a reduced price
• Preferential admission to The Westgate School for colleagues' children (after 2 years of employment)

What we’re looking for:

We are seeking individuals who can build positive, trusting relationships with children and who bring empathy, patience and enthusiasm to their work.

• View the role as a vocation and profession, demonstrating high levels of commitment.
• Hold the belief that every child deserves to feel as if they belong.
• Be able to build trusting relationships with children who are either externalising or internalising their social emotional wellbeing needs.
• Be able to demonstrate high levels of emotional resilience and stay calm under pressure in order to support vulnerable children.
• Be ELSA trained or equivalent or willing and able to gain the qualification.
• Be keen to participate in professional learning and qualifications.
• Enjoy working with children, building positive relationships in a calm, empathetic way with a minimum of 3 years relevant experience in a teaching/learning/child support working environment.
• Have experience of or an interest in working with neurodiverse children.
• Have obtained Maths and English qualifications to GCSE Grade C or above, or their equivalent.
• Be determined for the highest possible levels of achievement and inclusion for every pupil.
• Be cheerful, flexible and approachable, with a good sense of humour.
• Show initiative within the role and have good time management skills.
• Be a hard-working team player, able to work closely with teachers and other adults (including within the classroom) to ensure the best for all our pupils.
• Support the day to day running of our learning support areas all-through.
• Have the patience, resourcefulness and resilience to support and inspire our children with their learning, helping to unlock their potential.
• Have a good understanding of child development from 4-16 years.
• Have excellent communication skills.
• Be excited about the opportunity to work with individuals both inside and beyond the classroom.

Safeguarding:
 The Westgate School and Hampshire County Council are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expect all colleagues and volunteers to share this commitment. We will ensure that all our recruitment and selection practices reflect this commitment.

Pre-employment checks:
 All successful candidates will be subject to Disclosure and Barring Service checks along with other relevant employment checks, which will include an online search to identify any incidents or issues that have happened and are publicly available online, in line with Keeping Children Safe in Education recommendations.

Child Protection Policy:
 You can find The Westgate School’s Child Protection Policy document on our policies webpage.

Equal Opportunities:
 In order to combat discrimination, no unnecessary conditions or requirements will be applied which could have a disproportionately adverse effect on any one group. All sections of the population will have equal access to jobs. No applicant or employee will receive less favourable treatment because of age, disability, gender reassignment, race, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, marriage or civil partnership and pregnancy or maternity, unless a Genuine Occupational Requirement (GOR) applies.

AI:
 We encourage applicants to avoid using AI for their application and if doing so, please state this in the application. Please ensure all information you provide is factually accurate, truthful, and original. This is so that your application is authentically and credibly your own as it forms part of the basis upon which future employment may be decided. 

How to apply:

Please note, only submissions on the Education Jobs South website will be accepted. 

Applications will be reviewed as they are received and we may close the advert early, so we encourage early applications.

 Closing Date: noon, Monday 7 September 2026

Interview Date: TBC