At a Glance
- Tasks: Support and supervise pupils during lunchtime, ensuring a safe and enjoyable environment.
- Company: Join the caring community at Mary Rose Academy, dedicated to empowering students.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, pension scheme, wellbeing support, and professional development opportunities.
- Other info: Flexible hours, term-time only, with excellent career growth potential.
- Why this job: Make a positive impact on children's lives while working in a supportive team.
- Qualifications: Experience with children with disabilities is preferred, but training is provided.
The predicted salary is between 26400 - 26400 € per year.
Empowering our community, within and beyond Mary Rose to achieve great things; experience awe and wonder and to have our voices heard, now and for the future.
Lunchtime Support Assistant Band 4, Point 4 + SEN Allowance 15 hours a week, term time only, permanent. Salary including SEN allowance £9,461. FTE Salary £26,034.
Mary Rose Academy are seeking to appoint an enthusiastic, patient and cheerful individual to join our amazing team. You will support and supervise pupils within the classroom and over the play and lunchtime period from 10.30am – 1.30pm, Monday - Friday. This role will be based at our Lantern site, Penhale Road, Fratton, PO1 5EF.
You need to be flexible, energetic and ideally have experience of working with children with profound and complex disabilities and/or autism. However, training will be provided for the right candidate.
At Solent Academies Trust, we are proud to be a community built on connection, respect, and belonging. Our Relational Culture Charter guides us to work together and support each other through:
- Valuing Difference
- Effective Communication
- High Challenge & High Support to Empower
- Respect for All
- Solution-Focused Approaches
We believe that when relationships thrive, people thrive – and so do the children and young people we serve.
By joining the Mary Rose Academy team, we offer you:
- Excellent staff induction with a commitment to high quality professional development aligned in relational leadership and HR excellence
- A culture rooted in relational practice, belonging, and wellbeing
- A workplace where your values, voice, and contribution truly matter
- Local Government Pension Scheme with the option of a 50/50 contribution to build over time
- Employer pension contribution
- Confidential Counselling & Wellbeing Support Service
- Life Insurance - 3 times annual salary (for members of the pension scheme)
- Wellbeing Inset Day to support the wellbeing of our staff
- Free onsite parking
- Increase of paid weeks after 5 years of service from 45.1 weeks to 45.9 weeks
- SEN Allowance with an increase after 3 and 5 years of service
- CPD opportunities to support Career development
- Employee Referral Scheme
- Employee Benefits Platform
You will work for 39 weeks of the year; however, you will be paid for 45.1 weeks. Your salary will be paid over 12 months of the year.
If you want to make a positive difference and enrich the lives of our pupils, then this could be the school for you!
For more details, please visit our website http://solent-trust.net. If you have any questions at all, or wish to submit an application please email recruitment@solentacademiestrust.info.
Please note we will only accept applications completed on our Solent Academies Trust form. Closing date for applications is Friday 5th June 2026, 9am. Interviews will be held on Thursday 11th June 2026 at the Lantern, PO1 5EF.
Solent Academies Trust welcome applications regardless of age, gender, ethnicity or religion. Only applications submitted on the academy’s application form will be accepted. Solent Academies are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. We will ensure that all our recruitment and selection practices reflect this commitment. All successful candidates will be subject to an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service checks along with other relevant employment checks.
Lunchtime Support Assistant - Mary Rose Academy in Portsmouth employer: Portsmouth City Council
At Mary Rose Academy, we pride ourselves on fostering a supportive and inclusive work environment where every team member's contributions are valued. Our commitment to professional development, coupled with a strong focus on wellbeing and community connection, makes us an exceptional employer for those looking to make a meaningful impact in the lives of children with complex needs. With competitive benefits, including a generous pension scheme and opportunities for career growth, joining our team means becoming part of a culture that truly empowers both staff and students alike.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Lunchtime Support Assistant - Mary Rose Academy in Portsmouth
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the school culture! Before your interview, check out Mary Rose Academy's website and social media. Understanding their values and community will help you connect with the team and show you're genuinely interested.
✨Tip Number 2
Practice your communication skills! Since this role involves supporting pupils, being able to communicate effectively is key. Try role-playing scenarios with friends or family to boost your confidence.
✨Tip Number 3
Show your enthusiasm! During the interview, let your passion for working with children shine through. Share any relevant experiences, even if they’re informal, to demonstrate your commitment to making a positive impact.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining the Mary Rose Academy team. Don’t miss out on this opportunity!
We think you need these skills to ace Lunchtime Support Assistant - Mary Rose Academy in Portsmouth
Some tips for your application 🫡
Be Yourself:When filling out your application, let your personality shine through! We want to see the real you, so don’t be afraid to share your experiences and what makes you passionate about working with children.
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to read the job description carefully and highlight how your skills and experiences align with what we’re looking for. Show us why you’d be a great fit for our team at Mary Rose Academy!
Follow the Instructions:Remember, we only accept applications on our specific form. So, make sure you complete it fully and accurately. It’s a simple step that shows you can follow guidelines, which is super important in this role.
Ask Questions:If you have any queries about the role or the application process, don’t hesitate to reach out! We’re here to help, and it shows initiative when you seek clarity before applying.
How to prepare for a job interview at Portsmouth City Council
✨Know the Academy's Values
Before your interview, take some time to familiarise yourself with Mary Rose Academy's values and their Relational Culture Charter. Understanding how they value difference and promote effective communication will help you align your answers with what they’re looking for.
✨Show Your Enthusiasm
As a Lunchtime Support Assistant, being cheerful and patient is key. During the interview, let your enthusiasm shine through! Share examples of how you've positively impacted children’s lives in previous roles or experiences, especially if you’ve worked with those with disabilities or autism.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect scenario-based questions that assess your problem-solving skills and ability to support children. Think about situations where you had to be flexible and energetic, and prepare to discuss how you handled them. This will demonstrate your readiness for the role.
✨Ask Thoughtful Questions
At the end of the interview, don’t forget to ask questions! Inquire about the professional development opportunities available or how the team fosters a sense of belonging among staff and students. This shows your genuine interest in contributing to their community.
