Pupil Support Worker
The Harbour School, Portsmouth, Hampshire, PO2 8RA36 days remaining to apply
Start date details
As soon as possible
Closing date
31 August 2025 at 9am
Date listed
23 July 2025
Job details
Job role
- Teaching assistant
Visa sponsorship
- Visas cannot be sponsored
Key stage
- Key stage 2, Key stage 3, Key stage 4, Key stage 5
Working pattern
- Full time: 37hrs per week, Monday to Friday
Contract type
- Permanent
Full-time equivalent salary
- £25,286 – £26,095 per annum, actual salary for 37 hours per week, term time only £21,638 – £22,331, plus generous sick pay and pension scheme.
What skills and experience we're looking for
Not your average classroom. Not your average job. But the difference you’ll make? Huge.
Are you passionate about making a difference in the lives of young people who face barriers to mainstream education? Do you have the resilience, empathy, and commitment to support students with social, emotional, and mental health needs?
Are you looking for a role where every day is different, every challenge is real, and every success – no matter how small – is truly life-changing?
Some students don’t fit into the mainstream – and that’s okay. They need a different kind of school, and we need a different kind of person. Someone who sees beyond the behaviour, who understands that trust takes time, and who knows that sometimes, just getting through the door is a victory.
If you’re the kind of person who celebrates the small wins, stays calm in any situation, and believes in second (and third… and fourth) chances, we want to hear from you.
We’re looking for a dedicated Pupil Support Worker to join our team at The Lighthouse Campus.
As a Pupil Support Worker, you will:
- Work closely with teachers to support students in small groups and one-to-one, helping them engage with learning and rebuild confidence.
- Encourage resilience, emotional regulation, and positive choices, even on the hardest days.
- Work closely with families, and external professionals to provide the support our students need.
- Celebrate the small wins – because for some of our students, just showing up is a victory.
- Help students achieve their individual learning and behaviour targets.
- Supervise and support targeted students, both inside and outside of the classroom, promoting engagement and positive learning experiences.
We are looking for someone who:
- Sees the child, not the behaviour and can be a champion for young people who’ve struggled in mainstream education.
- Stays steady when emotions run high, is patient, understanding, and skilled at building positive relationships.
- Is a team player, who’s patient and understands that progress takes time.
- Helps students navigate emotions, frustrations, and challenges – showing them that adults can be reliable.
- Has experience of working with children and has knowledge or experience in SEMH, alternative provision, youth work, or a related field – or just a deep understanding of how tough life can be for some kids.
- Has 5 GCSE’s with a minimum grade C or above in English and Mathematics, or at least equivalent Level 2 qualifications in Literacy & Numeracy with relevant experience
- Never gives up. Even on the tough days. Especially on the tough days.
What the school offers its staff
The Lighthouse Campus is a full-time educational provision for vulnerable students with complex social emotional and mental health learning needs for whom all other educational provision has broken down. Students demonstrate a range of highly challenging behaviours and at times pose significant risk to themselves and others.
The primary focus of The Lighthouse campus is to work effectively and holistically with the unmet emotional and relational needs of students using an emotional literacy framework which promotes relationships for wellbeing, learning of new social and emotional skills, behaviour change, engagement in learning, success and achievement.
What we offer:
- A small, supportive school environment where relationships come first.
- The chance to make a real impact on young people’s confidence, learning, and future choices.
- A team that supports each other – because this job is tough, but you’ll never be alone.
- Professional development opportunities because we’re all about helping you grow, both as a person and in your ability to juggle six things at once!
- A school that celebrates progress, not just results.
- A rewarding role where no two days are the same and every day makes a difference!
Further information about the job
Please note applications will be reviewed on receipt and interviews held during August.
Please complete our Support Staff Application Form (PDF version attached on this site, Word version on our website) and return it to HR@deltaeducationtrust.com if you would like to apply.
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
- hr@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”.
School location
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