Learning Support Assistant

Ark; England; On-site; GBP 21,000 - 27,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading educational institution in Southsea, Portsmouth is seeking a dedicated Learning Support Assistant to foster a supportive learning environment for students. The successful candidate will collaborate with teachers and parents to help students thrive academically and socially. This position is on a fixed-term contract until 17/07/2026, with a salary range of £24,795 to £26,402, plus a range of generous benefits including a pension scheme and professional development opportunities.

Benefits

Salaries 2.5% higher than main pay scale

10 inset days dedicated to staff wellbeing

Development opportunities for future leaders

Generous pension scheme

Up to £3,000 relocation costs

Gym discounts up to 40%

Access to Employee Assistance Programme

Qualifications

• Significant skills and drive in a secondary setting.
• Proven track record of positive impact in education.
• Ambitious and forward-thinking mindset.

Responsibilities

• Support pupils, parents, and teachers in learning environments.
• Work with the Principal to achieve educational goals.
• Provide assistance tailored to diverse student needs.

Skills

Supporting pupils

Establishing supportive learning environments

Collaboration with teachers and parents

Job description

About The Role

Ark Charter Academy

Learning Support Assistant

Location: Southsea, Portsmouth

Contract: Fixed Term Contract until 17/07/2026

Reporting to: SENCO

Salary: £24,795 - £26,402 (FTE) £21,322.70 - £22,705.72 (actual)

Working pattern: Term Time Only, 36hrs per week

About the role:

As a Learning Support Assistant, you will support pupils, parents, and teachers, to establish a supportive learning environment in which children make good academic progress. You will be instrumental in our mission to provide every student, regardless of their background, a great education and real choices in life.

The opportunity:

We are seeking ambitious and forward-thinking Learning Support Assistants to help realise our ambitious vision and make Charter a world class school. You will have significant skills, drive and a proven track record of having had impact in a secondary setting. You will understand the importance of working hard. In return you will work in partnership with our newly appointed Principal, Christian Down, a highly successful local Principal.

Benefits

• Salaries 2.5% higher than main pay scale.
• 10 inset days (of which at least one is dedicated to staff wellbeing)
• A behaviour policy that ensures disruption-free learning
• Development opportunities for future leaders
• Generous pension scheme.
• Up to £3,000 relocation costs to move to the south coast (dependent on the role)
• Access to Ark rewards – a scheme offering savings from over 3,000 major retailers
• Interest-free loans – up to £5,000 available for season ticket or to buy a bicycle.
• Gym discounts – offering up to 40%.
• Access to Employee Assistance Programme – providing free, confidential counselling, legal advice and a range of different support.

Find out more about the benefits of working for Ark at https://arkonline.org/careers/why-work-with-us/.

About Us

Ark Charter Academy is a happy and vibrant school located in the heart of Portsmouth. We believe that every young person should feel a sense of belonging to our school community and enjoy their learning.

We inspire and support our students so they can become the very best they can in every single way. With love and care, we develop motivation both inside and outside the classroom, encouraging an appetite for learning in a safe and stimulating Christian environment. We want our students to become the leaders and game-changers of the future. To achieve this we offer an academic curriculum that strives to expose all pupils to the richness of education, allowing them to experience a diversity of subjects during their time with us.

Our teachers and support staff work hard every day to inspire each and every student to develop skills which will help them to achieve their full potential. We pride ourselves in recognising hard work and rewarding it accordingly, providing opportunities for professional and personal growth in school and across the wider Ark network.

Visit charteracademy.org.uk/jobs to learn more about us and see our current vacancies.

Diversity and inclusion

We aim to build a diverse and inclusive organisation where everyone – staff and students – can do their best work and achieve their full potential. We want to reflect and represent diverse perspectives across our organisation because we know that doing so will make us stronger and more effective. To know more about Ark’s diversity and inclusion commitments, please click the link.

Safeguarding statement

Ark is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people in its academies. In order to meet this responsibility, its academies follow a rigorous selection process to discourage and screen out unsuitable applicants.

Ark requires all employees to undertake an enhanced DBS check. You are required, before appointment, to disclose any unspent conviction, cautions, reprimands or warnings under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975. Non-disclosure may lead to termination of employment. However, disclosure of a criminal background will not necessarily debar you from employment - this will depend upon the nature of the offence(s) and when they occurred. To read more about Ark’s safer recruitment process, please click the link.

Please note we will be reviewing applications on an on-going basis and this role may close earlier than advertised depending on the level of response. We strongly encourage to submit your application at your earliest convenience.