Individual Needs Assistant (Ark Alexandra Academy)

Salary: £25,583 to £28,598 per annum, pro rata.
Contract type: Fixed Term.
Working pattern: Part-time, Term-time.

Closing date: Tuesday 1 September 2026, at 11:59 p.m.
Interview date: September 2026.

How to apply:

Please click 'apply' on our website: Explore our vacancies | Ark Alexandra to complete an online application form. Please note: we are unable to accept applications via CV. 

We will also be reviewing applications on an on-going basis and this advert may close earlier than advertised depending on the level of response. 

Early application is strongly encouraged. You will be able to pause, save and log back in to complete your application up until the vacancy closes. 

If you’re interested in further information about our school, please visit our website: Ark Alexandra

Who to contact if you have a query:

If you have any questions about the role, please contact HR on: [email protected]
Please be aware there may be a delay in responding due to the summer holiday. 

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 within our 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: 

• Aid the student(s) to learn as effectively as possible in group situations and on their own. 
• Deliver targeted small-group support, providing pre-teach and post-teach input to reinforce key curriculum content and ensure students can fully access and complete their GCSE studies. 

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, please read the information pack. 

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.

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 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. 

What we offer: 

• 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.

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 read the page in the information pack available for download.