Description About The Role We are seeking a passionate, experienced and dedicated Teaching Assistant with a specialism in Phonics. The role is to begin ASAP. You will be responsible for assisting the learning and development of students ranging across all year groups. This is a fantastic opportunity for a Teaching Assistant with experience working with Phonics. This position has a specific focus on delivering phonics of RWI. You will need to have experience working with children on a one to one basis or small group and to be confident in delivering support strategies effectively and working classrooms. Our ideal candidate will: Be a good team player with good interpersonal skills. Have high expectations of pupil behaviour. Contribute to the ethos of a friendly, happy school, in which the personal development and well-being is given the highest priority and where both academic and personal qualities of children are recognised and valued. If you would like to discuss this opportunity or for any queries, please contact Ann Dyson on a.dysonarkdickensprimary.org or 02392 826514. Benefits 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 here. About Us Ark Dickens is a lovely school in the heart of Portsmouth. We are a two-form entry primary academy, which became part of the Ark network in September 2014. We are a school with high aspirations and expectations to ‘Be Our Best’ in all that we do. This reflects our ethos of ensuring every child is provided with every opportunity to reach their potential. At our school, staff wellbeing and support is of paramount importance to us. Staff are given countless opportunities as well as tailored training geared towards individual professional development. We offer a collaborative setting ensuring that staff receive responsive feedback and colleagues are encouraged to learn from one another. Hard work will never go unappreciated at Ark Dickens, where there is a spirit of recognition and reward. Our school is a rewarding and fulfilling place to work. Visit arkdickensprimary.org/jobs to 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 this link. 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 this link. 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.