Group Learning Support is our largest provision across the group, with a wider team of 300+ staff members all playing a critical part to our students that require educational support throughout their learning journey.   

Job title: Student Support Assistant 

Salary: up to £12.40ph  

Contract type: FTC (August 2024 - July 2025) 

Location:  Merrist Wood college 

Benefits: Term time only, Part time and Full-time opportunities available, Access to Learning Support Essentials training course  

Our centres are open from 8.30am – 5pm Monday to Friday and therefore we expect our staff to be available to commit to these working hours over a minimum of 3 days per week. 

Activate Learning promotes independence to enable learners to leave the college ready for the world of work or further study. The learners at our Merrist Wood College are mainly undertaking courses at levels 1-3 in areas such as agriculture, horticulture, animal care, countryside and environment, horse management, forestry and arboriculture, landscaping, public services, and football coaching.

The Role: Student Support Assistant 

As a Student Support Assistant at Merrist Wood, you will be open to supporting students in a variety of settings, from classrooms, to stables, to animal enclosures, to the tractor driving area, to ditches in the woods, including the possibility of being outside in all weathers. You should be prepared for a day that could include English or maths lessons, assisting with lambing, and learning about plant species. Patience, flexibility, teamwork, and a good sense of humour are key attributes for our Student Support Assistants. 

As a Student Support Assistant, you'll be supporting young adults aged 16-19 years across a range of courses and be responsible for their wellbeing. No two days will be the same!

You'll be participating in timetabled activities and providing support to our learners to ensure they are reaching their full academic potential. With your strong communication skills, you'll establish good working relationships with learners to enable the learner to build and develop their confidence and motivation.

Where necessary you may be required to support students with personal care needs from time to time as well as positive behaviour management adopting a tailored approach to the individual student.

As part of the college team, you'll be assisting the tutor and learner to ensure that the learning is appropriate to meet their needs. You'll be joining a committed team who are student-focused and provide high-quality learner support across the college

What do you need to be a successful Student Support Assistant at Activate Learning?  

• Strong communication skills to collaborate with tutors and ensure the effective delivery of further education programs, as well as to work efficiently within a coordination team. 
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team. 
• Flexibility and adaptability. 
• A creative and innovative approach to motivating learners and providing support. 
• Patience, empathy, and a genuine desire to assist students with diverse learning needs. 
• While previous experience as a teaching assistant and supporting individuals with SEN is beneficial, it is not mandatory. 
• Experience in providing personal care and manual handling, or a willingness to undergo training. 

Who we are 

Activate Learning is a pioneering education group with a global reach, committed to transforming lives through our approach to learning.  

We see our employees as individuals, empowering them to make the right choices for their ambitions and careers. We value our people as vital to our continued success and aspire to a diverse, open and inclusive environment that provides the motivation for everyone to pursue their career goals and flourish. 

When you work for Activate Learning, you’re working for an organisation that provides you with the advantages of a large employer, a trusted partner in your career development, and a transformational way of working whilst also investing in building a community environment for everyone. 

Together, we will bring out the best version of yourself. 

Why work with the Activate Learning Group?

Here are some of our benefits:

• Enrolment into generous pensions schemes
• Generous annual leave entitlement
• Excellent on-site facilities including free onsite parking, refectory facilities, Hair and Beauty salons
• An extensive Learning and Development programme with a range of CPD opportunities
• Specialised support and development for teaching staff
• Access to qualified coaches for all staff
• Leadership and Management development programmes
• Flexible working opportunities, where appropriate
• A comprehensive wellbeing programme including access to Westfield Health Cash Plan and Everymind app
• Mental Health support including access to Mental Health First Aiders
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Employee resource groups  
• Cycle to work scheme
• Refer a friend vacancy incentive
• Access to student discount programmes

Applicants should apply at the earliest opportunity; closed vacancies will prevent application form submission.

Applications are reviewed and shortlisted on a rolling basis, we reserve the right to interview, appoint and close adverts.

Activate Learning is committed to safeguarding and expect all our staff to share this commitment. Successful applicants will be required to undergo a DBS check at the appropriate level.

Applicants must be eligible to work in the UK, we do not sponsor work permits. Work permits from other organisations are unacceptable as proof of right to work in the UK.

Applications are encouraged from all candidates who meet or exceed minimum criteria, regardless of age, disability, gender, orientation, race, religion, or ethnicity. Activate Learning are committed to employing people with disabilities and will ensure our recruitment process is inclusive and accessible. If you require any reasonable adjustments either at application or interview stage, please contact the talent team directly.

Recruitment agencies who submit unsolicited CVs to any partner or employee at Activate Learning, have no authority to enter an arrangement. Recruitment agencies engaging with Activate Learning Talent Team will be on our PSL.