Mentor (Pupil Support Worker) - The Harbour School

Teaching Vacancies; Portsmouth; On-site; GBP 20,000 - 26,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Employee Assistance Programme

Cycle to Work Scheme

Job summary

The Harbour School is seeking a dedicated Mentor to join the Vista Campus (Horizon Service) at The Harbour School in Portsmouth. You will support children and young people with complex social, emotional and mental health needs who have an Education, Health and Care Plan, working alongside teachers in both group and 1:1 settings.

We welcome applicants who see beyond behaviour, stay calm under pressure, and believe in second chances.

Qualifications

• 5 GCSEs with grade C or above in English and Mathematics or equivalent Level 2 qualifications with relevant experience
• Experience with children with SEMH or related field (or deep understanding of challenges faced by some kids)
• UK driving licence and vehicle with business insurance is essential

Responsibilities

• Work closely with teachers to support students in small groups and one-to-one, helping them engage with learning and rebuild confidence
• Encourage resilience, emotional regulation, and positive choices, even on the hardest days
• Work closely with families and external professionals to provide the support our students need
• Supervise and support targeted students, both inside and outside of the classroom, promoting engagement and positive learning experiences
• Help students achieve their individual learning and behaviour targets

Education

GCSEs in English and Mathematics (minimum grade C)

Job description

Mentor (Pupil Support Worker) - The Harbour School

What skills and experience we're looking for

Mentor (Pupil Support Worker) – Vista Campus, The Harbour School

Permanent, Full time (37 hours), or part time (24 hours, Monday-Wednesday), Term time only

Please note: UK driving licence and vehicle with business insurance is essential

Do you want to be the adult who helps a young person feel confident enough to take part, brave enough to try something new, and proud of what their body and mind can achieve?

Are you looking for a role where every day is different, every challenge is real, and every success – no matter how small – is truly life-changing?

Some students don’t fit into the mainstream – and that’s okay. They need a different kind of school, and we need a different kind of person. Someone who sees beyond the behaviour, who understands that trust takes time, and who knows that sometimes, just getting through the door is a victory.

We’re looking for a dedicated Mentor to join The Vista Campus (Horizon Service) at The Harbour School, supporting children and young people in our primary provision with complex social, emotional and mental health needs who have an Education, Health and Care Plan.

What you’ll be doing:

• Work closely with teachers to support students in small groups and one-to-one, helping them engage with learning and rebuild confidence.
• Encourage resilience, emotional regulation, and positive choices, even on the hardest days.
• Work closely with families, and external professionals to provide the support our students need.
• Celebrate the small wins – because for some of our students, just showing up is a victory.
• Help students achieve their individual learning and behaviour targets.
• Supervise and support targeted students, both inside and outside of the classroom, promoting engagement and positive learning experiences.

Who we’re looking for:

• Sees the child, not the behaviour and can be a champion for young people who’ve struggled in mainstream education.
• Stays steady when emotions run high, is patient, understanding, and skilled at building positive relationships.
• Is a team player, who’s patient and understands that progress takes time.
• Helps students navigate emotions, frustrations, and challenges – showing them that adults can be reliable.
• Has experience of working with children and has knowledge or experience in SEMH, alternative provision, youth work, or a related field – or just a deep understanding of how tough life can be for some kids.
• Has 5 GCSE’s with a minimum grade C or above in English and Mathematics, or at least equivalent Level 2 qualifications in Literacy & Numeracy with relevant experience
• Never gives up. Even on the tough days. Especially on the tough days.

If you’re the kind of person who celebrates the small wins, stays calm in any situation, and believes in second (and third… and fourth) chances, we want to hear from you.

What the school offers its staff

The Harbour School is a multi-site organisation, with campuses at Bay Campus (including Primary at The Bay), The Bridge Campus, The Lighthouse Campus, and the Vista Campus (including The Horizon Service), all based within the city of Portsmouth. We also have an Outreach Support Team and a Hospital tuition service at the Queen Alexandra Hospital in Portsmouth.

What we can offer

• A skilled, compassionate, genuinely supportive team who reflect together, and understand the emotional weight of the work.
• Strong induction and ongoing training
• A school that celebrates progress, not just academic data
• A role where the impact is real, human and lasting
• Free access to the Employee Assistance Programme and our Cycle to Work Scheme.
• The opportunity to develop your career in a School, and within the Southern Education Trust - a growing Trust where our mission is “making lives better” and our values are kindness, collaboration and creativity.

Further details about the role

Interview date: 6th November 2026

The Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people, this role involves directly working with children and significant contact with children, and therefore we expect all staff and volunteers to share the same commitment. Please ensure a full work history is completed in your application form including any gaps of employment. Applicants will be required to complete satisfactory enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check for this post prior to commencement. This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (ROA) 1974. The Trust is an equal opportunities employer.

If successfully shortlisted the HR Department will also be conducting an individual online search of your ‘name, education and employment’, to demonstrate due diligence following ‘Keeping Children Safe in Education' guidance. The search will not form part of the actual shortlisting process and any concerns arising from the search will be discussed directly with you.

Commitment to safeguarding

The Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share the same commitment. Please ensure a full work history is completed in your application form including any gaps of employment. Applicants will be required to complete satisfactory enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly CRB) check is required for this post prior to commencement. The Trust is an equal opportunities employer.