Higher Level Teaching Assistant

From the advert

Higher Level Teaching Assistant

Could You Help Shape the Future for Children with Special Educational Needs?

Westfield School is seeking an enthusiastic, caring and experienced Higher Level Teaching Assistant (HLTA) to join our growing team. This is an exciting opportunity for someone who is ready to take on greater responsibility within the classroom and across the school, while making a genuine difference to children with communication and interaction needs.

"Staff are happy and proud to work at the school. They feel highly valued by leaders and are highly motivated to help pupils achieve their best."
Ofsted Inspection Report, February 2024

Westfield School is a primary-aged special school for children with Communication and Interaction needs within the moderate learning difficulty (MLD) and mild learning disability range. Most pupils have a diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), often alongside additional needs such as speech, language and communication difficulties, sensory processing differences, ADHD, anxiety, dyspraxia or global developmental delay.

Many of our pupils join us after finding mainstream school environments overwhelming and challenging. At Westfield School, we provide a calm, structured and nurturing environment where children feel safe, understood and able to succeed. Visitors frequently comment on the positive atmosphere of the school, where strong relationships, personalised support and a focus on wellbeing underpin everything we do.

About the role:

As an HLTA, you will play an important role in supporting high-quality teaching, learning and therapeutic provision for our pupils. Working closely with class teachers, therapists and Learning Support Assistants, you will help ensure that pupils receive consistent, individualised support that enables them to make progress and achieve their full potential.

You will support our Integrated Therapeutic approach, liaising with therapists and class teams to help plan, co-ordinate, deliver and assess individual and group interventions. You will contribute to planning and assessment, provide feedback on pupil progress and barriers to learning, and support communication with families and other professionals.

A key part of the role will be supporting the development of Learning Support Assistants, modelling good practice, helping colleagues to implement their training and providing an effective link between LSAs and the class teacher.

You will also have opportunities to take greater responsibility for teaching and learning, including leading the class during teacher absence, maintaining established routines, deploying staff effectively and ensuring that learning continues to reflect pupils' individual priorities.

Beyond the classroom, our HLTAs contribute to the wider development of the school. You will take responsibility for an identified area of provision, work collaboratively with other HLTAs to promote consistency across the school, contribute to school development priorities and support outreach work with other schools through modelling, explanation and instruction.

We are looking for someone who:

• Is passionate about supporting children with special educational needs and helping them achieve their full potential.
• Has a strong understanding of effective teaching and learning and can adapt approaches to meet individual pupils' needs.
• Can confidently lead learning and maintain a positive, structured classroom environment when providing cover for the class teacher.
• Can work collaboratively with teachers, therapists and other professionals to support pupils' learning, development and wellbeing.
• Can contribute effectively to the planning, assessment and reporting of pupils' progress.
• Is confident communicating appropriately with parents and carers about pupils' progress, achievements and next steps.
• Can support and develop other staff by modelling good practice and building positive working relationships.
• Can support the planning, delivery and assessment of targeted therapeutic interventions.
• Can promote positive behaviour, regulation, independence and inclusion.
• Is organised and able to take responsibility for an area of provision across the school.
• Is patient, adaptable, resilient and able to use initiative.
• Is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children.
• Is keen to continue developing professionally and contribute to the ongoing development of the school.

What we can offer:

In return, we offer a welcoming and supportive school community, opportunities for ongoing training and professional development, and a varied role in which you can have a real impact both within your classroom and across the wider school.

One afternoon per fortnight is allocated to the HLTA for planning, preparation and assessment and liaison with therapists. HLTAs are also expected to attend for one hour per week outside the school day to work alongside teachers on planning and assessment, prepare resources or attend curriculum meetings.

If you share our commitment to helping every child feel understood, included and able to succeed, we would love to hear from you.

If you would like to find out more about our school or arrange a visit, please contact the school office on 01628 533125 or email [email protected].

Applications will be considered on receipt and we encourage you to submit your application as soon as possible. We reserve the right to interview candidates and withdraw the post if an appointment is made.