Pupil Support Worker - Harbour Future Skills

The Harbour School, Portsmouth, Hampshire, PO2 8RA

23 days remaining to apply

• Start date details

  As soon as possible

• Closing date

  2 March 2026 at 9am

• Date listed

  7 February 2026

Job details

• Job role:
  • Teaching assistant
  • Learning support or cover supervisor
  • Other support roles
• Visa sponsorship: Visas cannot be sponsored
• Key stage: Key stage 3, Key stage 4
• Working pattern: Full time: 37 hours per week, Term time only
• Contract type: Permanent
• Full-time equivalent salary: Grade D: £25,583 – £26,403 per annum; actual salary £21,893 – £22,594 for term time only

What skills and experience we're looking for

You might be a Learning Support Assistant, Teaching Assistant, Youth Worker, Behaviour Support Worker or someone with relevant experience in education, care or mental health support.

You’ll bring:

• A calm, patient and nurturing approach
• Confidence supporting young people with complex emotional and behavioural needs
• Strong communication skills and a genuine belief in second chances
• The ability to stay steady when things are challenging – and warm when they’re hard

Formal qualifications are welcome, but the right attitude, empathy and commitment matter most.

What the school offers its staff

• Be part of a supportive, values-driven team
• Make a tangible difference in young people’s lives – every single day
• Access ongoing training, supervision and professional development
• Work in a setting that understands behaviour as communication, not defiance

Further information about the job

The candidate will be required to undergo a full enhanced DBS check and must be eligible to work in the UK.

Visas cannot be sponsored.

If you're interested in teaching or training to teach in England as an international citizen, we can help you understand your next steps.

Pupil Support Worker –Harbour Future Skills –Highbury College/The Harbour School

Grade D: £25,583 – £26,403 per annum; actual salary £21,893 – £22,594 for term time only

37 hours per week, Permanent

Access to a car and UK driving licence with business insurance essential

Making change where it matters most

Some students don’t struggle because they don’t want to learn.They struggle because learning hasn’t always felt safe, predictable, or possible.

We’re looking for a compassionate, resilient and emotionally intelligent Pupil Support Worker to work alongside young people with SEMH, anxiety and communication needs – supporting them to re-engage with education, build confidence, and take meaningful steps into college life.

This is not a “sit at the back of the classroom” role.It’s about relationships, trust, consistency – and belief.

About the role

You’ll play a vital part in helping students attend, settle and succeed at Highbury College. From supporting travel training and transition visits, to calmly guiding learning in the classroom, you’ll help create the structure and reassurance that allows young people to thrive.

You’ll work closely with teachers, families and external professionals to support students who may have experienced barriers to mainstream education – helping them feel safe, included and capable again.

What you’ll be doing

• Supporting students with SEMH, anxiety and social communication needs to engage positively with learning
• Helping students transition into college life through tailored support, visual aids and 1:1 guidance
• Building trusting, respectful relationships that promote independence, self-esteem and positive behaviour
• Supporting learning activities, assessments and progress tracking under teacher guidance
• Encouraging attendance, participation and confident use of ICT
• Managing challenging or distressed behaviour calmly, consistently and compassionately
• Working collaboratively with parents, carers and multi-agency professionals
• Contributing to a safe, inclusive and supportive learning environment where every student is valued

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.

Additional documents

If you need these documents in an accessible format, please contact the school.

THS - Child Protection-and-Safeguarding-Policy-2025-2026.pdf - 595 KB (opens in new tab)

Pupil Support Worker – Harbour Future Skills.docx - 99.6 KB (opens in new tab)

Support Staff Application Form.docx - 83.4 KB (opens in new tab)

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@southern.education
• See more jobs: teaching-vacancies.service.gov.uk/organisations/the-harbour-school-po2-8ra

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”.

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