About The Role
Individual Needs Assistant - Internal Alternative Provision
Start date: 01 September 2025
Location:Ark Alexandra Academy, Hastings, East Sussex
Salary:Ark Outside London Support Scale 5, Pay Points 5 -12: £24,790 to £27,711 (pro rata)
Actual salary: £16,288.83 - £18,208.14
Hours:27.5 hours per week, term time only
Contract:Fixed Term until 20 July 2026 due to the specific funding stream for the role
Closing date:11:59pm on13 July 2025
The school reserves the right to close this advert early and interviews may take place before the advertised closing date. Applicants are strongly encouraged to apply early for this role to avoid disappointment.
A note for recruitment agencies:
We prefer to hire people directly, but we do have a preferred supplier list for when we require additional support. We will be in touch if we need you.
We are looking for an enthusiastic Individual Needs Assistant to join our hard-working, dedicated team in our Internal Alternative Provision within our growing academy. This is a term-time only position, which means you will only work 39 weeks of the year. Pay is spread evenly over the year so you would never have a month without money.
As an Individual Needs Assistant (INA) you will provide:
* aid to the student(s) to learn as effectively as possible in group situations and on their own
* establish a supportive and professional relationship with the student concerned
* determine intervention strategies
Our standards are high, and we need someone who can be a team player and flexible when supporting other colleagues. The ability to be resilient, calm and professional under pressure in a busy environment is essential.
For more information regarding the role and the provision, please read the information pack available for download.
As the ideal candidate you will:
* Have experience of removing barriers so that students make at least good progress
* Have experience of working with students with SEN
* Have experience of developing and implementing high quality programmes and interventions for students
* Have a resilient character and the ability to remain calm and professional under pressure in a busy environment
* Be able to take ownership of tasks and complete to a high standard
* Be a team player that can work collaboratively as well as using your own initiative
If you would like to discuss this opportunity or for any queries, please contact HR at ALEHR@arkalexandra.org
Benefits
* A friendly but professional working environment
* Twice as many training days as standard and network-wide events with Ark colleagues
* Opportunities to collaborate with colleagues across the network
* Local Government Pension Scheme with a generous employer contribution
* Unique opportunities for growth and development
* Access to Ark Rewards – a scheme offering savings from over 3,000 major retailers
* 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 atarkonline.org/careers/why-work-with-us/.
About Us
We are aiming to create one of the top performing schools in the UK right here in Hastings.
Ark Alexandra Academy is a popular secondary school in Hastings. We have grown from 10 to 12 form entry and operate a ‘One School, Two Campus’ model, which brings with it unique opportunities for career growth and development. The school is on an exciting and rapid journey of improvement which is underpinned by research and best practice. We place primacy on traditional values: discipline, courtesy and respect. Our students are smart and ready to learn and thrive. We are a strict no mobile phone school.
As part of the Ark network, Ark Alexandra Academy has access to the dedicated support of a highly successful MAT with a well-regarded CPD offer for leaders and teachers at all levels. In addition, the school is part of the Hastings DfE Education Investment Area giving an increased focus on the region, potential funding, and genuine opportunities for collaboration between schools.
Ark Alexandra works closely with our feeder primary schools, Ark Blacklands, Ark Little Ridge and Ark Castledown, all of which have exceptional leadership graded as Outstanding by Ofsted, with Blacklands and Little Ridge being graded Outstanding in all areas.
As a Church of England school, our values of faith, excellence and kindness underpin everything that we do. We have an inclusive admissions policy that welcomes, without preference, students of all faith and none. Our vision is to create a truly great school for the young people in Hastings. We believe that everyone deserves to be accepted, included, and empowered to live a purposeful and fulfilling life.
Visitarkalexandra.org/jobsto learn more about us and see our current vacancies.
Diversity and inclusion:
We aim to build a diverse and inclusive organisation where everyone – staff and students – can do their best work and achieve their full potential. We want to reflect and represent diverse perspectives across our organisation because we know that doing so will make us stronger and more effective. To know more about Ark’s diversity and inclusion commitments, please click on thislink.
Safeguarding statement:
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 thislink.
Please note we will be reviewing applications on an on-going basis and this role may close earlier than advertised depending on the level of response. We strongly encourage to submit your application at your earliest convenience.
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