EAL Learning Support Assistant

ROLE SUMMARY:

Northfields International School is a premier independent co-educational day school in Mauritius that provides an English-medium education for over 1300 boys and girls aged between 18 months and 18 years.  Northfields is well known for its traditional values, family atmosphere, and sustained emphasis on the holistic development of each student. Excellence and leadership skills are fostered through their rigorous programme of academic study combined with dynamic and varied extracurricular activities and service as action programmes. Northfields is committed to inspiring our diverse learning community to make a positive impact as active global citizens.

The Northfields campus in Labourdonnais is situated on owned freehold property and incorporates numerous subject classrooms, dedicated science labs, computer suites, art studios, a design and Special Education Needs (SEN) and English as an Additional Language (EAL) support room.  Northfields offers internationally recognised educational programmes and qualifications for Cambridge and the International Baccalaureate. The curriculum progression in the school begins with Regio Emelia Pre-Nursery, followed by the IB Primary Years Programme (PYP). Students from the Primary School may progress to Secondary School, where they follow the 5-year Cambridge curriculum in Years 7-11, culminating with the Cambridge IGCSE examination at the end of Year 11.  Students in Sixth Form then follow the 2-year IB Diploma Programme (DP) or Cambridge A level.

Apart from being an authorised IB World School, the quality of Northfields is further bolstered through the school’s accreditation with the Council of International Schools (CIS) and membership with the Independent Schools Association of Southern Africa (ISASA) and Association of International Schools in Africa (AISA). Northfields is registered and licensed in Mauritius with the Ministry of Gender Equality & Welfare for our Pre-Nursery, with the Early Childhood Care and Education Authority (ECCEA) and the Ministry of Education and Human Resources for the Primary School and the Private Secondary Education Authority (PSEA) for our Secondary School.

We are seeking a dedicated Learning Support Assistant to support and enhance the English language skills of our students. The successful candidate will work with high school students and collaborate closely with teachers as part of a broader, integrated approach to learning support.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Support students with weak English skills using a range of EAL strategies.
• Help students understand instructions, stay motivated, and build self-esteem.
• Provide in-class support, monitor student progress weekly, and keep records.
• Adjust schedules to support reading and review assignments with struggling students.
• Assist during tests and assessments when requested by teachers or the EAL coordinator.
• Work with teachers to track progress, support reading programmes, and help set targets.
• Cover ESL lessons or clubs, maintain discipline, and attend parent meetings as needed.
• Be proficient in various EAL and school-wide online platforms and provide after-school support.
• Foster home-school links, attend training, follow school procedures, and maintain confidentiality.
• Support the curriculum by understanding lesson aims, adapting to online or in-person teaching, and attending relevant workshops.

THE IDEAL CANDIDATE WILL HAVE:

Educational Background:

• Minimum HSC, including English, Maths  & Science at grades A-C- Essential
• Learner support qualification – Desired
• University degree (bachelor’s degree or higher) favoured – Desired

Skills and Experience:

It is expected that the Learning Support Assistant, through training and development, will gain experience and/or qualifications in some or all of the following areas, some of which they may already have:

• Exceptional interpersonal skills
• An understanding of behaviour management techniques
• An understanding of current curriculum requirements
• A knowledge and understanding of a variety of EAL strategies
• Developing positive working relationships with students, staff & parents
• Helping pupils to develop their self-confidence, independence and abilities
• Working with other professionals to support students, including medical staff and speech and language therapists

SAFEGUARDING STATEMENT:

Inspired Education Group is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff, volunteers and other third parties to share this commitment. Safer recruitment practices and pre-employment background checks will be undertaken before any appointment is confirmed.