At a Glance
- Tasks: Support students with complex needs in offsite learning and community engagement.
- Company: Join the outstanding Mary Rose Academy, part of Solent Academies Trust.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, pension scheme, wellbeing support, and professional development opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in students' lives while working in a supportive community.
- Qualifications: Must hold a D1 driving licence; flexibility and resilience are key.
- Other info: Work term time only with excellent career growth and training.
The predicted salary is between 20167 - 21513 £ per year.
Offsite Learning Assistant Band 5 + SEN Allowance
32.5 hours a week, working term time only
Annual FTE £26,473 - £28,239
Actual salary £20,167 - £21,513
As the founding school of Solent Academies Trust, Mary Rose is a consistently 'Outstanding' school which caters for pupils aged 3-19. All pupils attending Mary Rose have profound, severe and complex learning difficulties alongside a diverse range of diagnoses and needs, including Autism and highly complex medical conditions.
We wish to recruit an Offsite Learning Assistant to ensure our pupils have access to offsite learning as well as enabling our pupils to also engage with the community. This role will predominantly involve driving the school minibuses; however, some classroom support may be required. You must hold a current manual D1 driving licence, Midas accessibility module training will be provided.
As an individual you will need to be flexible, energetic, resilient and committed to working with children, who need high levels of support in order to learn.
By joining the Mary Rose Academy team, we offer you:
- SEN Allowance with an increase after 3 and 5 years of service
- Excellent staff induction with a commitment to high quality professional development
- The opportunity to be part of an innovative and forward-thinking school
- A happy, committed and supportive community
- Local Government Pension Scheme with the option of a 50/50 contribution to build over time
- 17.9% 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
- CPD opportunities to support Career development
- Employee Referral Scheme
- Salary Extras
- Employee Benefits Platform
The hours for these roles are Monday 8.30am – 3.30pm and fortnightly until 4.30pm, Tuesday – Thursday 8.30am – 3.45pm and Friday 8.15am – 2.30pm. 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 Solent Academies Trust - Our Vacancies.
If you have any questions at all or you 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 Monday 23rd February 2026, 9am. Interviews will be held on Wednesday 4th March 2026.
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.
Offsite Learning Assistant - Mary Rose Academy in Portsmouth employer: Portsmouth City Council
Contact Detail:
Portsmouth City Council Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Offsite Learning Assistant - Mary Rose Academy in Portsmouth
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the school! Research Mary Rose Academy and understand their values and mission. This will help you tailor your approach during interviews and show that you're genuinely interested in making a positive impact.
✨Tip Number 2
Network like a pro! Connect with current or former staff on LinkedIn or at local events. They can provide insider tips and might even put in a good word for you, which can really boost your chances.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for the interview by practising common questions related to working with children with special educational needs. Think about your experiences and how they relate to the role of an Offsite Learning Assistant.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application is seen. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining the Mary Rose Academy team and making a difference.
We think you need these skills to ace Offsite Learning Assistant - Mary Rose Academy in Portsmouth
Some tips for your application 🫡
Read the Job Description Carefully: Before you start writing, give the job description a good read. It’ll help us understand what Mary Rose Academy is looking for in an Offsite Learning Assistant and tailor your application to highlight those key skills and experiences.
Show Your Passion for Supporting Pupils: We want to see your enthusiasm for working with children who have complex needs. Share any relevant experiences or stories that demonstrate your commitment and how you can make a positive impact on their learning journey.
Highlight Your Driving Experience: Since driving the school minibuses is a big part of the role, make sure to mention your current manual D1 driving licence. If you’ve got any experience driving in similar settings, let us know – it’ll definitely strengthen your application!
Use Our Application Form: Don’t forget, we only accept applications through our Solent Academies Trust form. Make sure to fill it out completely and accurately. It’s your chance to shine, so take your time and show us why you’d be a great fit for the team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Portsmouth City Council
✨Know the Role Inside Out
Before your interview, make sure you thoroughly understand the Offsite Learning Assistant role. Familiarise yourself with the specific needs of the pupils at Mary Rose Academy and think about how your skills can support their learning. This will show your genuine interest and commitment to making a positive impact.
✨Highlight Your Flexibility and Resilience
In this role, flexibility and resilience are key. Be prepared to share examples from your past experiences where you've demonstrated these qualities, especially in challenging situations. This will help the interviewers see that you're ready to adapt and thrive in a dynamic environment.
✨Showcase Your Driving Skills
Since driving the school minibuses is a significant part of the job, ensure you mention your current manual D1 driving licence. If you have any relevant experience driving in similar settings, share those stories to highlight your capability and confidence behind the wheel.
✨Engage with the Community Focus
Mary Rose Academy values community engagement, so come prepared with ideas on how you can help pupils connect with their local community. Think about activities or outings that could enrich their learning experience and be ready to discuss them during the interview.