Vocational Learning Coach

ARK SCHOOLS; Portsmouth; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 35,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Higher than main pay scale

10 inset days

Relocation assistance to south coast

Ark rewards program

Interest-free loans

Gym discounts

Employee Assistance Programme

Job summary

Ark Charter Academy in Portsmouth is seeking a Vocational Learning Coach to join our Pathways Provision. You will deliver and assess vocational qualifications and coordinate work placements for students who benefit from hands-on, practical learning.

The role emphasizes resilience, teamwork, leadership, and communication, with close collaboration with staff and families to ensure tailored support and successful progression.

Qualifications

• Experience delivering and assessing vocational qualifications (AQA, ASDAN, BKSB, Prince’s Trust, Functional Skills).
• Passionate about alternative education and supporting hands-on learners.
• Experience with intervention training and tailoring support for students at risk of disengagement.
• Ability to help students develop life and career skills such as resilience, teamwork, leadership and communication.
• Experience coordinating work placements and real-world learning opportunities.

Responsibilities

• Deliver and assess vocational qualifications to students.
• Coordinate and support work placements and real-world learning experiences.
• Collaborate with staff, parents and external stakeholders to tailor guidance for each student.

Skills

Vocational qualifications

AQA Awards

ASDAN

BKSB

Prince’s Trust

Functional Skills

Job description

About The Role

Ark Charter Academy

Vocational Learning Coach

Location: Southsea, Portsmouth

Salary: Band 7 (£29,540 - £35,412)

Contract: Permanent

Working pattern: Full-time (Term time only)

Start date: 19th October 2026 or earlier if possible

Closing date: 25/09/2026

Interview date: As soon as suitable candidates apply

Are you passionate about vocational education and committed to helping students thrive in alternative learning environments? Do you want to make a real difference in the futures of young people who flourish through hands-on, practical learning? We are looking for a Vocational Learning Coach to join our Pathways Provision, supporting students as they develop key life and career skills. You will play a vital role in delivering and assessing vocational qualifications while helping students build resilience, teamwork, leadership, and communication skills.

About the role

As a Vocational Learning Coach, you will play a key role in supporting students within our Pathways Provision, providing an alternative vocational curriculum tailored to their needs. You will guide students who thrive in hands-on, practical learning environments, helping them gain qualifications such as AQA Awards, Prince’s Trust Awards, ASDAN, BKSB, and Functional Skills. Through engaging lessons, intervention teaching, and real-world learning experiences, you will equip students with essential skills for future education, employment, or training. In addition to academic support, you will assist students with work placements, fostering resilience, teamwork, leadership, and communication. You will collaborate with staff, parents, and external stakeholders to ensure every student receives the tailored guidance they need to succeed.

Our ideal candidate will be:

• Experienced in delivering and assessing vocational qualifications, including AQA, ASDAN, BKSB, Prince’s Trust, and Functional Skills
• Passionate about alternative education and supporting students who thrive in hands-on learning environments
• Committed to intervention training, ensuring students with additional needs or those at risk of disengagement receive tailored support
• Skilled in helping students develop key life and career skills such as resilience, teamwork, leadership, and communication
• Knowledgeable about supporting students through work placements, providing guidance and real-world learning opportunities
• Organised and proactive, able to plan, prepare, and deliver engaging vocational lessons
• Collaborative, working effectively wit staff, parents, and external stakeholders to support student success

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 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 on thislink.

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 thislink.

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.