We are seeking a well-qualified and enthusiastic Emotional Literacy Support Assistant to play a vital role in promoting the emotional wellbeing, resilience and personal development of our students within a high-achieving and nurturing independent selective girls' school.
Working closely with the Learning Support and Pastoral teams, you will provide targeted emotional literacy and wellbeing support to pupils, particularly those with Autism Spectrum Condition and associated social, emotional and mental health needs, including those with Education, Health and Care Plans. You will deliver structured ELSA interventions to individual pupils and small groups, helping to develop emotional literacy, resilience, confidence and self-regulation skills. You will contribute to the school's commitment to ensuring that all pupils are known, supported and able to flourish academically, socially and emotionally.
This is a fixed-term contract, offered on either a three or four day per week basis.
You will hold an ELSA qualification and have experience of supporting pupils with Autism in a secondary school setting, alongside experience of supporting young people with social, emotional and mental health needs in an educational or youth-focused environment. You will combine this with excellent active listening and boundary-setting skills, and the ability to build effective and professional relationships with adolescents, particularly those with additional needs.
Why Sydenham & Dulwich Girls
Established in 1887, Sydenham & Dulwich Girls is an independent day school for girls aged 4-18 with over 700 pupils. The school is part of the Girls' Day School Trust, the leading and largest group of independent girls' schools in the UK. The GDST is at the forefront of education for girls and has a strong voice in promoting opportunities for young women.
We offer a competitive salary and benefits package and a strong professional development programme. These benefits include:
To apply, please click the apply button.
For more details, please contact hr@syd.gdst.net or the School Office on 0208 557 7000.
Applications should be received by 9am on Friday 26 June 2026.
We reserve the right to interview at any point during the recruitment process so early applications are encouraged.
References for candidates invited to interview will be taken before the interview.
We are an equal opportunity employer and welcome applications from all qualified individuals. To be eligible for employment, candidates must provide proof of their right to work in the UK.
The GDST is committed to diversity, inclusion and real change: a family where every individual is valued, respected and included.
The GDST is committed to the safeguarding of, and promoting the welfare of children, and applicants must be willing to undergo child protection checks appropriate to the post, including online searches, and checks with past employers and the Disclosure and Barring Service.