Teacher of Learning Support

The Portsmouth Grammar School; Portsmouth; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading educational institution in Portsmouth seeks a well-qualified Learning Support teacher to work with neurodiverse pupils, focusing on their strengths to enhance their learning skills. Candidates can apply for full or part-time roles and are encouraged to contribute to the school’s pastoral and co-curricular life. Training and support for professional development are provided.

Benefits

Excellent training and support

Development of new ideas in teaching

Qualifications

• Experience as a Learning Support teacher (well-qualified).
• Specific experience of supporting pupils with ADHD and/or Dyscalculia is advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Teach one-to-one or small group sessions to enhance independent learning.
• Identify pupils' strengths and weaknesses through screening procedures.
• Contribute fully to the pastoral and co-curricular life of the school.

Skills

Experience working with neurodiverse pupils

Willingness to contribute across the school

Education

Level 7 specialist teacher qualification

Job description

Overview

The Portsmouth Grammar School is a leading co-educational school located in the historic heart of Portsmouth. We are very much a family school known for excellent teaching, superb pastoral care and wide-ranging co-curricular opportunities and offer an education across the age range from Pre-School to Sixth Form. The school seeks to appoint a well-qualified teacher of Learning Support from January 2026, although an earlier start date may be available. The successful candidate will have experience working with neurodiverse pupils with a variety of difficulties. Holding or working towards a level 7 specialist teacher qualification would be an advantage as would specific experience of supporting pupils with ADHD and / or Dyscalculia.

Responsibilities

• Learning Support is a well-established and integral part of the school. Teaching within the department aims to build upon all pupils' neurodiverse strengths and develop their independent learning skills.
• Pupils will attend one-to-one sessions with a learning support teacher or small group sessions with an HLTA arranged on a termly basis.
• The focus of the support for individual pupils is dependent on their needs and could encompass literacy; numeracy; study skills; revision techniques; and curriculum support.
• Underpinning effective support is the early identification of pupils' strengths and weaknesses through a comprehensive group screening procedure for Year 1, Year 7 and all new entrants to the school, followed by further individual testing, where necessary.
• This role is expected to involve opportunities for work and personal professional career development across all key stages and sectors of the school. The Learning Support Department is line managed by the Deputy Head (Teaching and Learning).
• This is a full-time vacancy but applications from candidates for a part-time teaching role of at least 0.6 FTE will also be considered. Please indicate clearly in your application whether you are interested in a full or part-time position.
• The successful applicant will be expected to contribute fully to the pastoral and co-curricular life of the school. It is an expectation that all teachers will have a tutor group or act as a co-tutor within the pastoral system.

Qualifications and requirements

• Experience as a Learning Support teacher (well-qualified) and willingness to contribute across the school.
• Experience working with neurodiverse pupils with a variety of difficulties. Holding or working towards a level 7 specialist teacher qualification would be an advantage, as would specific experience of supporting pupils with ADHD and / or Dyscalculia.

What we offer / Development

The school offers excellent training and support to teachers at all stages of their career. PGS teachers convey passion for their subject and seek to maximise progress by knowing their pupils well and adapting their teaching accordingly. We are always looking to develop new ideas and approaches to teaching and are keen to incorporate the particular interests of new members of staff into the overall curriculum scheme.

How to apply

Candidates are asked to apply using the PGS application form linked to our advert on Tes or accessible via the 'Work With Us' page on our PGS website. The contact email for informal enquiries is [e-mail]. The closing date will be midday on 8 October 2025 and interviews are planned to take place in the week commencing 13 October 2025, with a provisional interview date of 14 October 2025. Candidates are asked to allow a whole day for the interview process.

Safeguarding

The School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Applicants will be required to undergo child protection screening appropriate to the post, including checks with past employers and the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS). The School may carry out online searches on shortlisted applicants and applicants may be required to provide details of their online profile, including social media account names/handles, as part of their application. The post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. The School is therefore permitted to ask job applicants to declare all convictions and cautions on a self-declaration form in advance of attending an interview (including those which are 'spent' unless they are 'protected' under the DBS filtering rules) in order to assess their suitability to work with children.