Higher Level Learning Support Assistant

Job description / Role

Job overview

About us:
Fortes Education has been a leading education provider in the UAE for over four decades with premium international schools and nurseries that have experienced outstanding success and growth. Our schools offer the most innovative and character-building education in the entire Middle East region.

Our core ethos and philosophy of education is Positive Education (PosEd). Through PosEd, our schools foster active engagement in learning, celebrating character strengths and accomplishments. We encourage children to cultivate fulfilling relationships with others and seek meaning and purpose in their own lives. We enable children to become happy learners and develop into innovative thinkers, confident young adults, and life-long learners. Our students develop resilience, a growth mindset and deep character strengths that allow them to flourish in an ever-changing world.

About Sunmarke School u2013 Where amazing happens
Sunmarke School provides an ambitious and inspiring, values-based education that nurtures the hearts and minds of students so that they can flourish and achieve their dreams. Powered by our unique signature programs, Sunmarke is a uniquely innovative school, transforming young lives. This was reflected in Sunmarke School winning the coveted u2018Most Innovative Schoolu2019 award at the Which School Advisor ceremony in Dubai and London.

Sunmarke is an all-through school which offers a premium education across a range of pathways for students including the National Curriculum of England, GCSE/IGCSE, u2018Au2019 Levels, BTEC and the IB Diploma and Career Related Programmes. We also offer a suite of Signature Programmes unrivalled in Dubai. With unique experiences in Environmental and Sustainability Studies, students learn in Forest School settings, as well as utilising cutting-edge hydroponic technology to examine how science can support sustainability in future terrains.

Our world-class STEAM centre and curriculum offers students an incredible opportunity to apply their learning in solving real-world problems, from Foundation Stage through to Year 13. We run best-in-class mini-MBA programmes for our Year 10 to 13 students in conjunction with the Peter Jones Academy, to ensure their future success in business and entrepreneurship. We are technologically innovative and run comprehensive AI programmes for students in all core subjects, as well as deepening other subjects through Augmented and Virtual Reality (AR/VR) experiences.

We have outstanding performing arts opportunities with fantastic facilities and amazing teachers to help our more creative students truly find their voice. Sunmarke School was judged by the Dubai School Inspection Bureau (DSIB) as a u2018Very Goodu2019 school in our third year of operation and u2018Outstandingu2019 in our British Schools Overseas (BSO) inspection in 2019.

We present an exciting opportunity to join our all-through school and to play an important part in our journey to u201coutstandingu201d. Sunmarke School, Dubai is one of our flagship schools, located at a prime location in Jumeirah Village Triangle.

About you:

Due to our continued growth, we seek to appoint a Higher Level Learning Support Assistant (HLSA) to join our team immediately.

Job purpose:

The role of the Higher Level Learning Support Assistant (HLSA) - ELL is to provide support to students and staff in the Primary phase of the school. The Higher Level Learning Support Assistant will support the teachers in enhancing the effective involvement of students in their academic and social development.

Responsibilities:

• Provide in-class support in lessons, to facilitate successful access to differentiated learning.
• Work alongside teachers and other staff to support studentsu2019 learning, specifically those with a language barrier.
• Work with teachers to raise the learning and attainment of pupils.
• Give support to pupils, individually or in groups, so they can access the curriculum, take part in learning, and experience a sense of achievement.
• Cover and lead class teaching (under supervision) as and when appropriate.
• Contribute to effective assessment and planning by supporting the monitoring, recording and reporting of pupil performance and progress as appropriate to the level of the role.
• Read and understand lesson plans shared prior to lessons, if available.
• Prepare the classroom for lessons.
• Use their area(s) of expertise to contribute to the planning and preparation of learning activities, and to plan their role in learning activities.
• Use allocated time to devise clearly structured activities that interest and motivate learners and advance their learning.
• Provide feedback to students in relation to their progress and achievement, under the guidance of teachers.
• Take responsibility for the provision and progress of students.
• Monitor, maintain and review records of student progress over time and support teachers to plan subsequent learning based on their needs.
• Maintain the learning environment and develop appropriate resources for students.
• Apply strategies to promote studentsu2019 self-esteem, self-confidence, and independence.
• Work collaboratively with colleagues as part of a professional team.
• Work as part of the ELL Team.

Job specification:

• The candidate should have at least 4 years of relevant experience working in an international school.
• The candidate should hold a degree, i.e., B.Ed. or a B.A in English or equivalent with a CELTA, TESOL etc.
• Fluent English speakers available to work from 7 am u2013 4.30 pm.
• Strong work ethic along with a commitment to staff and student privacy.
• Good organisational and interpersonal skills.
• Knowledge of inclusive pedagogies will be an advantage.

Additional information:

Interviews will take place either face-to-face in Dubai or by video conferencing if the applicant is not based in Dubai.

The closing date for applications is the 20th of October 2025. Please note that due to the expected volume of applications, only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for an interview. The school reserves the right to make suitable appointments before the official closing date, and therefore we encourage candidates to apply early in the process. The appointment start date will be immediate.

Application closing date: 20th of October 2025
Appointment start date: Immediate

Fortes Education is committed to safeguarding children and young people. All post holders in regulated activity are subject to appropriate vetting procedures including a satisfactory International Child Protection Certificate, plus resident country police checks.