Learning Support Assistant

ARK SCHOOLS; Hastings; On-site; GBP 22,000 - 27,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Salary 2.5% higher than main pay scale

Training days

Generous pension scheme

Ark rewards discounts

Interest-free loans for season tickets

Gym discounts

Employee Assistance Programme

Job summary

ARK SCHOOLS' Ark Castledown Primary Academy in Hastings is seeking a enthusiastic Learning Support Assistant to join the Inclusion Team. You will support a child with additional needs, help implement work programmes, and prepare learning resources.

Contract is fixed term until August 2027. Hours: 16.5 per week (09:00–15:00, 3 days a week, term time only). Salary: £24,482. Ark offers CPD and staff discounts and welfare. Start Sep 2026.

Qualifications

• Experience working with primary age children.
• Experience working with students with SEND.
• Experience supporting children with behavioural difficulties.
• Experience with risk awareness in classroom settings.
• Strong literacy and numeracy skills.
• Willingness to assist with personal care.
• Hard-working and adaptable to change.

Responsibilities

• Help implement work programmes for a child with additional needs.
• Assist in planning, managing and preparing resources for the child.
• Support a member of the Inclusion Team as required.

Skills

Primary age children experience

SEND experience

Behavioural support

Risk awareness

Literacy skills

Mathematical skills

Personal care support

Adaptable to change

Job description

About The Role

Ark Castledown Primary Academy

Learning Support Assistant

Here at Ark Castledown we are committed to providing our pupils with the very best educational opportunities, by having the very highest expectations of ourselves as a staff team.

We are now seeking an enthusiastic and resilient individual to join our fantastic Inclusion Team as an Learning Support Assistant. The role will involve helping to implement work programmes for a child with additional needs, and assisting in planning, managing and preparing resources for the child.

The successful candidate will:

• have experience of working with primary aged children,
• have experience of working with children with SEND
• have experience of supporting children with behavioural difficulties
• have experience of supporting children with risk awareness
• have good literacy and mathematical skills
• be prepared to support with personal care as required
• be hard working and adaptable to change

We can offer you a friendly, supportive school and opportunities for professional development.

If you have a passion for education, we can offer you support and challenge to develop further. By joining the Ark schools' network, you will gain access to an exclusive range of benefits including comprehensive CPD, training and best-practice sharing opportunities , reduced gym membership, large retail discounts as well as the unique opportunity to apply for international exchanges and other scholarship prospects.

Interested in this opportunity?

The closing date for applications is

Location: Hastings

Start date: September 2026

Contract: Fixed Term (August 2027)

Hours: 16.5 hours 09.00 - 15.00 (3 days a week) Term Time Only

Salary: £24,482 (£9,651.87)

Closing date: Monday 28 th September -9.00am

Interviews: W/C: 05/10/2026

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 this link.

Benefits

• Salaries 2.5% higher than main pay scale.
• Twice as many training days as standard.
• Generous pension scheme.
• 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.

About Us

We are community primary school that is dedicated to providing the very best education for the children of our town.

We hold a strong child-centred approach to teaching, where consistency, praise, encouragement and challenge are key. We believe that every child has a unique potential and we work hard to inspire and motivate children to achieve their goals.

We know that a successful and happy school depends on all of us working together, and that parents make an important contribution to children's achievements at school. We are committed to developing excellent working relationships with our families and all members of our school community.

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 on this 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 this link .