Job Introduction

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Woodcroft Primary School – Emotional Literacy Support Assistant (ELSA)

• Closing Date: 19th November 2026
• Shortlisting Date: 20th November 2026
• Interview Date: TBC
• Job Start Date: ASAP
• Contract/Hours: Permanent
• Salary Type: £26,018 - £27,111 pro-rata, per annum (actual salary £15,119 - £15,754 per annum)
• Hours of Work: Full time
• Location of Role: Woodcroft Primary School
• Contact e-mail address: z.king@woodcroft.hants.sch.uk

Job/Person Summary  

Woodcroft Primary School is seeking to appoint a compassionate, skilled and highly motivated Emotional Literacy Support Assistant (ELSA) to join our dedicated Inclusion Team. We are a welcoming and inclusive school where every child is encouraged to flourish academically, socially and emotionally.

Our school prides itself on providing an engaging and nurturing environment where children feel safe, valued and supported. We are committed to ensuring every child is given every opportunity to thrive and develop the confidence, resilience and emotional wellbeing needed to succeed.

The successful candidate will work closely with our SEND Team, class teachers and families to provide targeted emotional literacy interventions and support for children experiencing emotional, social or behavioural challenges. This rewarding role will involve supporting individual pupils and small groups, monitoring progress, liaising with families and external agencies, and helping children develop positive relationships and strategies to overcome barriers to learning.

Key Responsibilities

• Support improvements in wellbeing, resilience, behaviour and readiness for learning.
• Work collaboratively with staff to remove barriers to learning and support pupils’ personal and academic development.
• Promote positive learning behaviours and emotional wellbeing across the school.
• Deliver enrichment activities, targeted interventions and ELSA programmes.
• Support pupils during lessons with academic, emotional and behavioural needs.
• Respond appropriately to immediate concerns and provide pastoral support.
• Maintain records and intervention information and contribute to meetings concerning pupils.
• Lead pastoral interventions and support pupil voice initiatives.
• Develop positive relationships with parents and carers and support transition arrangements.
• Lead ELSA sessions and undertake Local Authority training as required.

We Are Looking For Someone Who

• Has GCSE Grade 4/C or above (or equivalent) in English and Mathematics.
• Has previous experience in a similar role such as ELSA, Higher Level Teaching Assistant or Learning Support Assistant.
• Has experience of behaviour management strategies and emotional support techniques.
• Is compassionate, resilient and able to build strong relationships with children and families.
• Is committed to ongoing professional development and continuous learning.
• Has sound ICT skills and strong organisational abilities.

What We Can Offer

• A welcoming, supportive and dedicated staff team.
• Excellent professional development and training opportunities.
• The opportunity to make a genuine difference to children’s lives every day.
• A school community that values inclusion, wellbeing and personal development.
• A rewarding role within a caring and ambitious primary school.

Application Procedure

Visits to the school are warmly welcomed. If you have any questions, would like an application pack or would like to arrange a visit, please contact Mrs Zoe King on 02392 593939 or email z.king@woodcroft.hants.sch.uk.

Safer Recruitment

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. We will ensure that all our recruitment and selection practices reflect this commitment. All successful candidates will be subject to Disclosure and Barring Service checks along with other relevant employment checks.