Stage not Age Learning Support Assistant

🔒 Confidential Employer
Posted 7 May 2026
LOCATION
Portsmouth
TYPE
Contract
LEVEL
Entry-level
SALARY
£23,402 / year
CATEGORY
Education Support
This employer holds a UK Home Office sponsor license — sponsorship for this specific role is at the employer’s discretion

SKILLS

Supporting pupils with complex needs Implementing EHCP targets Delivering targeted interventions Speech and Language Therapy (SALT) support 1:1 and small group instruction Adapting learning approaches Collaborating with teachers and SENCO Behaviour management

FULL DESCRIPTION

Stage not Age Learning Support Assistant

[Employer hidden — sign up to reveal] - Portsmouth, UK

Salary: £23,101 - £23,402 per year (Ark Schools Band 2)

Contract: Fixed-Term, Term-Time

About The Role

In this role you will support the engagement, learning and wellbeing of pupils with complex needs, including social, emotional, mental health, behavioural, communication and learning needs. You will work closely with pupils who are unable to access mainstream provision, including those educated at Hartland Point, a stage-not-age provision designed to meet children at their developmental level.

You will support pupils, parents, teachers and the wider school team to establish a nurturing, structured and responsive learning environment, enabling children to make progress academically, socially and emotionally, in line with their Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs).

Key responsibilities

  • To support individual pupils on a 1:1 basis and in small groups, including pupils attending Hartland Point, to help them engage in learning and make progress across the curriculum
  • To work flexibly across a stage-not-age provision, adapting learning approaches to meet individual developmental needs rather than chronological age
  • To support the implementation of EHCP targets, working closely with the class teacher, SENCO, Room Leader and external professionals
  • To deliver targeted interventions, including programmes linked to Speech and Language Therapy (SALT), following guidance from qualified therapists
  • To support teachers, parents and colleagues in creating a consistent, calm and purposeful learning environment
  • To supervise pupils on the playground, in classrooms and in the dining hall during lunchtimes
  • To attend a weekly dedicated planning session (30 minutes) with the class teacher
  • To facilitate or co-facilitate an enrichment activity for pupils once a week after school

Benefits

  • Support and challenge to develop you further
  • Salaries 2.5% higher than main pay scale.
  • Twice as many training days as standard and comprehensive CPD.
  • Generous pension scheme.
  • Access to [Employer hidden — sign up to reveal] 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 [Employer hidden — sign up to reveal] at https://arkonline.org/careers/why-work-with-us/.

About Us

[Employer hidden — sign up to reveal] are a two form entry primary school and nursery, situated in the heart of Portsmouth, close to the sea. We have high expectations of our children and for our children of what they can achieve. Our priorities are to ensure all children are here, safe, happy and learning well at all times.

This means we also have high expectations of ourselves, our parents and carers and the other people who work with us in improving outcomes for our children. We work closely with our partners and challenge each other openly and honestly to be sure we never lose sight of the vision and the job to be done in achieving excellence for all.

We have a strong and dedicated staff team at [Employer hidden — sign up to reveal] - all ready to provide the best education and environment for the children to thrive in every day. We have a bespoke ‘Horizons’ Curriculum, written by us for our children and we are passionate and relentless in ensuring that there is something for everyone at [Employer hidden — sign up to reveal].

Visit arkayrtonprimary.org/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 [Employer hidden — sign up to reveal]’s diversity and inclusion commitments, please click on this link.

Safeguarding statement

[Employer hidden — sign up to reveal] 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.

[Employer hidden — sign up to reveal] 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 [Employer hidden — sign up to reveal]’s safer recruitment process, please click this 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.

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