Emotional Literacy Support Assistant (Ark Blacklands Primary Academy)

Salary: Grade 5 Points 5-12 £25,583 pro rata, (Actual Salary £11,550)

Contract type: Permanent

Working pattern: Part-time, 19.5 hours per week

Closing date: 05 January 2026 at midnight

Interview date: 09 January 2026

How to apply: Please select the role you are applying for on www.arkblacklandsprimary.org/vacancies and submit your application by the deadline.

Interested in this exciting opportunity? We warmly encourage you to visit to meet the team and the children. Please contact contact Mr Coleman on 01424 429279, or email info@arkblacklandsprimary.org to arrange a visit to the school or informal chat.

Ark Blacklands Primary Academy

Emotional Literacy Support Assistant (ELSA)

Location: Hastings

Start date: January 2026

About the role:

We have an exciting opportunity for a fully trained part time Emotional Literacy Support Assistant (ELSA) to join our great staff team at Ark Blacklands Primary Academy, working primarily across year groups from EYFS to Year 3, however, sometimes years 4-6, to develop children’s emotional literacy and support children to be successful in their learning.

This is a key post in our school which is centred around supporting children to understand and regulate their own emotions whilst also respecting the feelings of those around them.

We are looking for an experienced ELSA, to ensure the best support for our pupils. However, we are prepared to train the right candidate who is self-motivated and willing to undertake ample self-study in order to increase their own knowledge.

Our ELSA will help children to develop their social and emotional skills in order to flourish in school. They will work in small groups or 1:1 situations and also be willing to occasionally teach ELSA strategies to whole classes. The successful candidate will also be required to work with colleagues in school, parents, outside agencies and may also be called upon at short notice to support specific children if other members of staff are not available. The role will also involve working with our Pastoral Lead, Assistant Head for Inclusion and Senior Mental Health Lead. The team is also supported by two professional counsellors from Me and My Mind and Place2Be.

Our ELSA also will also run a lunchtime club to specifically support children who find lunchtimes difficult.

The successful candidate will:

• be ELSA trained or currently working to complete training in 2026
• be eager to learn new skills, open to feedback and committed to professional development.
• be highly committed, enthusiastic, flexible and skilled and passionate about supporting children’s learning.
• have high expectations of children and themselves; be able to show initiative and work independently and as part of a team and embrace our Academy’s values.
• be able to plan and deliver individual and group support programmes with resources to meet the social, emotional and mental health needs of our children
• have good time management and organisational skills keeping confidential, accurate and succinct records of involvement
• have excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to work with parents and staff to support children’s emotional needs
• communicate well with children gaining their confidence and trust, by being approachable and willing to listen
• have a warm personality and the ability to stay calm under pressure
• be emotionally literate themselves, with a high degree of empathy and discretion and commitment to Inclusion.

View the full job description and person specification on our website.

About our school:

Together, we achieve!

There are 630 very good reasons to join our school!

Ark Blacklands Primary Academy is a large, 3-form entry primary school with a new intake each year of 3 forms, with 90 pupils in each year group, from reception through to year 6. Our staff make a tremendous effort to get to know each pupil and provide them with the very best care.

This is an exciting opportunity to join a friendly, caring team of professionals, who are committed to providing the very best for every child in our school, and we will offer you plenty of opportunities for professional development with the very best training and support at every stage of your career.

Find out more by visiting www.arkblacklandsprimary.org/.

We offer:

• Comprehensive CPD – we offer twice as many training days as standard.
• Access to health packages, discounts at major retailers, travel loans and other benefits, through the Ark Rewards scheme.
• Opportunity to apply for international exchanges and other scholarship prospects

Find out more about the benefits by visiting www.arkonline.org/the-best-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 click this link.