Student Support Assistants

Group Learning Support (GLS) is committed to empowering students with additional needs by offering personalised academic and personal support. Our goal is to break down barriers to learning, encourage independence, and create a welcoming, inclusive environment where every learner has the chance to thrive.

At the heart of GLS is a dynamic and dedicated team that champions students with diverse learning profiles. Our Student Support Assistants collaborate closely with teaching staff to help shape inclusive classrooms where every student feels valued, safe, and heard.

The GLS space is more than just a support hub—it’s a nurturing environment that builds confidence, promotes self-reliance, and supports personal development. We work with young people aged 16–19 across a broad spectrum of academic and vocational programmes, from entry-level to Level 3 qualifications. This includes specialised routes such as GCSEs, LifeSkills, and A-levels, each tailored to help students overcome challenges and reach their goals.

Our Student Support Assistants serve as positive role models, reflecting our educational values and applying effective strategies to support learners throughout their educational journey.

Outside of lessons, GLS remains open at lunchtime as a vibrant social space, offering games and activities that promote inclusion and peer connection. We also work closely with key partners—including careers advisors, job coaches, safeguarding teams, and wellbeing services—to provide comprehensive support that addresses the whole student.

At GLS, we help students grow both academically and personally, ensuring their learning journey is not only successful but also meaningful and fulfilling.

We are a specialist provision dedicated to supporting young adults with Special Educational Needs as they take their next steps towards greater independence

The Woodlands centre is a purpose-built and fully adapted to meet a wide range of sensory, medical, and physical needs, our centre provides a safe, nurturing, and inclusive environment where every learner is empowered to thrive. Our team consist of experienced and passionate tutors, therapists, and support staff to ensure our learners have access to the support they require during their time at the centre.

We deliver personalised, learner-centred support through two distinct pathways:

• Tier 1: Pathway to Exploration
• Tier 2: Pathway to Independence and Supported Work –

Our curriculum includes

• Wellbeing and emotional literacy
• Communication and social skills
• Project-based learning
• The World of Work and employability
• Practical life skills for independent living
• Digital skills

We are more than a centre—we are a vibrant, supportive workplace.

Our facilities include sensory spaces, accessible classrooms, and therapy rooms, all crafted to meet learners where they are.

This course provides a meaningful, practical learning experience tailored for young people with Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs) and special educational needs. It is designed to support their transition into employment by focusing on the development of essential skills such as employability, communication, and self-confidence within real workplace settings. In the Learning Companies department, students don't attend traditional classroom lessons, instead, all learning occurs through hands-on activities in environments like the café, onsite shop, and post room, giving them valuable, work-based experience to prepare for future careers.

The Group Learning Support (GLS) space is a supportive hub that nurtures confidence, encourages independence, and fosters both academic and personal growth.

We are a dynamic and enthusiastic team, offering structure with flexibility, where no two days are the same. We provide in-class and individual support to young adults aged 16-19 enrolled in a wide range of academic and vocational programmes, including GCSEs, LifeSkills, and A-levels. The area is also open at lunchtime for games and social activities that engage a diverse range of learners. With strong links to the careers team, job coaches, safeguarding, and wellbeing services, GLS empowers students to thrive making every day rewarding, purposeful, and inclusive for all.

Group Learning Support team play a vital role in championing and advocating for students with additional needs. LSAs work collaboratively with tutors to create an inclusive, compassionate environment where learners feel safe, valued, and understood.

At Activate Learning, we are proud to provide purpose-built ASC (Autism Spectrum Condition) Centres across our campuses in Reading, Bracknell, Oxford, and Banbury. These dedicated spaces offer a supportive and inclusive environment tailored to the individual needs of our Autistic learners.

Our holistic curriculum is designed around the Preparing for Adulthood outcomes, ensuring each learner receives a broad, balanced, and personalised education. Through our "Stepping into FE" programme, we focus on fostering key life skills and preparing students for their next steps in further education, employment, or independent living.

What We Offer:

• Specialised Learning Environments
  Our programmes are delivered within bespoke centres that promote confidence, resilience, and independence. High-quality teaching and individualised support underpin every learner’s journey.

• Individual Support and EHCP Provision
  All learners within our ASC Centres have an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP). Many receive one-to-one support tailored to their specific needs, which may include ASC-related challenges, medical conditions, or social, emotional, and mental health (SEMH) needs.

• Curriculum and Life Skills Focus
  Our full-time programmes are structured around the Preparing for Adulthood framework, focusing on:

  • Employment

  • Independent Living

  • Community Inclusion

  • Health

  Learners also receive targeted lessons in:

  • English and Maths

  • Communication Skills

  • Project Work

  • Bespoke Progression Pathways

• Additional Support Services
  
  For Autistic learners enrolled in mainstream courses, our ASC Centres offer access to high-level learning support and dedicated quiet spaces. Our experienced Learning Support Assistants provide academic guidance and essential emotional and social support throughout the day.

Activate Learning Online provides students with access to tailored online support as part of our Group Learning provision. This ensures that learners with additional needs can engage fully with course materials and resources, helping them achieve their goals throughout their educational journey.

Our Online Student Support Assistants play a crucial role in supporting students with special educational needs (SEN) to reach their full academic potential. Through personalised pathway programmes—including GCSEs, Functional Skills, Access to Higher Education, and distance learning—we help students overcome barriers and succeed. Acting as positive role models, our Support Assistants embody our learning values and approach, offering guidance and encouragement as students progress through their courses.