Education Keyworker
The Harbour School, Portsmouth, Hampshire, PO2 8RA16 days remaining to apply
Start date details
As soon as possible
Closing date
10 October 2025 at 11:59pm
Date listed
24 September 2025
Job details
Job role
- HLTA (higher level teaching assistant)
- Other support roles
Visa sponsorship
- Visas cannot be sponsored
Working pattern
- Full time: 37hrs per week, Monday-Friday
Contract type
- Permanent
Full-time equivalent salary
- £32,061-£36,363 per annum
What skills and experience we're looking for
Are you passionate about making a real difference in the lives of young people who face significant barriers to education?
We are looking for an experienced, passionate Education Keyworker who is creative and motivated to build strong relationships with both highly vulnerable and challenging students who are unable to access mainstream education.
You’ll be part educator, part mentor and part everything in between! Someone who can help reignite a love for learning, build confidence, be that trusted adult our students need and help our students believe in themselves, one small step at a time.
You’ll be:
- Supporting students in breaking down barriers and delivering structured interventions to support academic, social and emotional development.
- Developing, delivering, and evaluating a dynamic program of creative and accredited learning opportunities including the development of Individual Learning Plans and Educational Health Care Plans.
- Assessing and monitoring student progress.
- Bringing patience, creativity, and a sense of humour to the everyday challenges of alternative education
- Building positive, trusting relationships to help students overcome challenges.
- Delivering support, adapting learning to meet individual needs by creating a welcoming, safe, and stimulating learning environment.
- Encouraging confidence, resilience, and self-esteem in young people, helping students see their potential even when they can’t see it themselves.
- Using trauma-informed and restorative approaches to help students feel safe, valued and understood.
- Translating a “I’m not doing it” into a “Alright, I’ll give it a go”
We’re looking for:
- Experience working with children with SEMH needs, exclusions, or additional barriers to learning.
- A problem solver who sees challenges as opportunities.
- A team player who thrives in a supportive, passionate environment working collaboratively with staff, parents, and external agencies.
- A relationship-builder who understands that connection comes before correction and trust before teaching.
- An NVQ Level 4 or equivalent with solid literacy and numeracy skills.
- Someone who’s adaptable & resilient – every day is different, and challenges require creative solutions.
- Passionate about inclusive education and committed to helping young people succeed.
- The ability to celebrate small wins (because sometimes, showing up is a big deal).
What the school offers its staff
Why Join Us?
- Be a part of a school that truly believes in educational equity for all learners.
- A supportive team that genuinely cares about the students and each other.
- Training, CPD opportunities, and the chance to grow in your role.
- The opportunity to transform the educational journey of vulnerable young people.
- A rewarding role where no two days are the same (predictability is overrated, anyway!) seeing students succeed against the odds.
About Us:
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.
As part of Delta Education Trust, The Harbour School’s vision is “Learning together in pursuit of happiness.” We work hard to create a space where students learn together to become knowledgeable, self-aware, independent, and happy individuals who make a positive difference, wherever life takes them.
This is more than just a job; it’s a chance to ignite passion, inspire growth, and make a lasting impact on the lives of those who need it most.
Further information about the job
Salary: Band G, £32,061-£36,363 per annum, actual salary for term time plus 1 week £28,115-£31,887 per annum. Plus generous sick pay and pension scheme
Please note: Must have a full clean driving license and be willing to use your vehicle for school business.
Please complete our Support Staff Application Form and return it to recruitment@deltaeducationtrust.com if you would like to apply. See our Education Keyworker Job Description for further details on the role and our Safeguarding Policy attached.
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.
Applying for the job
Apply for the job by following the link below.
CVs will not be accepted for this application.
View advert on school website (opens in new tab)Upload additional documents
If you need these documents in an accessible format, please contact the school.
About The Harbour School
- School type
- Academy, ages 5 to 19
- School size
- 123 pupils enrolled
- Age range
- 5 to 19
- Ofsted report
- View Ofsted report
- School website
- The Harbour School website
- Email address
- recruitment@deltaeducationtrust.com
The Harbour School is a special school for learners with Social, Emotional and/or Mental Health (SEMH) Needs and/or Medical Needs. The school operates from multiple sites situated across Portsmouth with provision extending beyond these physical locations.
As a trust, our ethos is encompassed in our vision “Learning together in pursuit of happiness”.
Arranging a visit to The Harbour School
To arrange a visit and increase the chance of a successful application email recruitment@deltaeducationtrust.com.
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