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Crafting a targeted Learning Support Assistant (LSA) CV is the most critical step to securing an interview. A well-structured CV that highlights your empathy, practical classroom experience, and relevant skills can significantly increase your chances of catching a hiring manager's eye. This guide provides a clear, step-by-step framework to build an effective LSA CV, complete with a template and an example.
The professional summary is your 30-second elevator pitch and must immediately align your qualifications with the job description. Located directly beneath your contact information, this brief paragraph (2-3 sentences) should summarize your experience, key skills, and what makes you a compassionate and effective LSA. Hiring managers often scan CVs quickly, so a powerful summary is crucial.
Based on our assessment experience, an effective strategy is to write in the third person and directly mirror the language used in the job posting. For instance, if the role emphasizes supporting pupils with special educational needs (SEN), your summary should explicitly mention SEN experience. Quantify your achievements where possible to add credibility.
Example of a strong summary: "A compassionate and dedicated Learning Support Assistant with over three years of experience supporting children with a range of SEN in Key Stages 1 and 2. Proven ability in developing individualized learning activities, resulting in improved literacy outcomes for a core group of 10+ pupils. Holds a Level 3 Certificate in Supporting Teaching and Learning."
Your experience section must go beyond listing duties to showcase tangible impact, using action verbs and quantifiable results. Start with your most recent role and work backward. For each position, include your job title, dates of employment, the school's name, and its location.
Beneath this, create a bulleted list of your responsibilities and achievements. Begin each point with a strong action verb like 'Supported,' 'Implemented,' or 'Facilitated.' The goal is to show how you made a difference. Instead of writing "Helped students with reading," a more impactful statement would be: "Provided dedicated one-to-one reading support for 3 pupils, leading to an average increase of 2 reading levels within a single term." This approach gives hiring managers a clear, verifiable understanding of your capabilities.
| Common LSA Duty | Basic Description | Impact-Oriented Description |
|---|---|---|
| Supporting pupils | Helped children in class. | Supported a core group of 5 pupils with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) during literacy and numeracy lessons, enabling full participation in mainstream activities. |
| Planning activities | Created learning games. | Planned and delivered 5 hours of tailored sensory activities weekly to improve focus and engagement for pupils with ADHD. |
| Language support | Assisted non-native speakers. | Developed visual aids and basic vocabulary sheets to help 2 EAL (English as an Additional Language) students integrate into classroom discussions. |
A strategic skills section directly aligned with the job description, combined with clear education and certification details, forms the foundation of your credibility. Recruiters look for a blend of soft skills and practical knowledge.
Essential Skills for an LSA:
List your education in reverse chronological order. Typically, a minimum of GCSEs (including English and Mathematics) is required. If you have a degree or higher-level diploma, list this first. Any professional certifications, such as a Level 2 or 3 Certificate in Supporting Teaching and Learning, should be prominently displayed in a dedicated "Certifications" section. Even non-directly related certificates (e.g., First Aid) are valuable and should be included with a brief note on their relevance to a school environment.
Seeing a complete example can help you visualize how to bring all these elements together. Below is an annotated template and a filled-out example based on a fictional candidate.
CV Template: [First Name] [Last Name] [Phone Number] | [Email Address] | [City, County]
Professional Summary [Two to three sentences summarizing your experience, skills, and key achievements as an LSA.]
Experience [Job Title] | [Employment Dates] [School Name] | [City]
Skills [Relevant Skill] | [Relevant Skill] | [Relevant Skill] | [Relevant Skill]
Education [Degree/Qualification] | [Institution Name] | [Year]
Certifications [Certification Name], [Awarding Body] - [Year]
CV Example:
Paula Potter 01234 456 789 | p.potter@email.com | York
Professional Summary A compassionate and proactive Learning Support Assistant with 4 years of experience supporting learners with diverse needs across Early Years and Key Stage 1. Specializes in creating individualized learning strategies and fostering inclusive classroom environments. Holds a Level 3 certification and enhanced DBS check.
Experience Learning Support Assistant | September 2019–Current ABC Infant School, York
Skills SEN Support | Safeguarding | Makaton | Emotional Regulation | Activity Planning | Communication
Education BA (Hons) Education Studies | University of England | 2018
Certifications Level 3 Certificate in Supporting Teaching and Learning, NCFE - 2019 Paediatric First Aid, St John Ambulance - 2020
To maximize your chances, always tailor your CV to each specific job application, proofread meticulously for errors, and save the final version as a PDF to preserve formatting. By following this structured approach, you present yourself as a qualified, impactful, and professional candidate, moving you one step closer to your next role in education.
