Ark Castledown Primary Academy
Hastings, East Sussex

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Posted: 03 September 2026
Closing Date: 10 September 2027

Ark Castledown Primary Academy

Learning Support Assistant                                                  

Here at Ark Castledown we are committed to providing our pupils with the very best educational opportunities, by having the very highest expectations of ourselves as a staff team. 

We are now seeking an enthusiastic and resilient individual to join our fantastic Inclusion Team as an Learning Support Assistant. The role will involve helping to implement work programmes for a child with additional needs, and assisting in planning, managing and preparing resources for the child. 

The successful candidate will:

• have experience of working with primary aged children,
• have experience of working with children with SEND
• have experience of supporting children with behavioural difficulties
• have experience of supporting children with risk awareness
• have good literacy and mathematical skills
• be prepared to support with personal care as required
• be hard working and adaptable to change

We can offer you a friendly, supportive school and opportunities for professional development.

If you have a passion for education, we can offer you support and challenge to develop further. By joining the Ark schools’ network, you will gain access to an exclusive range of benefits including comprehensive CPD, training and best-practice sharing opportunities, reduced gym membership, large retail discounts as well as the unique opportunity to apply for international exchanges and other scholarship prospects.

Interested in this opportunity

To apply please go to https://arkcastledown.org/jobs/vacancies and apply through our jobs portal.

The closing date for applications is

Location: Hastings

Start date: September 2026

Contract: Fixed Term (August 2027)

Hours: 16.5 hours 09.00 – 15.00 (3 days a week) Term Time Only

Salary: £24,482 (£9,651.87)

Closing date: Monday 28^th September -9.00am

Interviews: W/C: 05/10/2026

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 this link.

• Salaries 2.5% higher than main pay scale.


• Twice as many training days as standard.


• Generous pension scheme.


• 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 at https://arkonline.org/careers/why-work-with-us/.