Higher Level Teaching Assistant

Job Opportunity: HLTA at Our Independent School in Woking

About Us Our students come from diverse backgrounds and have Social, Emotional, and Mental Health (SEMH) needs. Many also have Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) such as Autism, ADHD, and communication challenges. Many have experienced significant trauma and adverse childhood experiences, with some receiving social care support.

We offer a varied and challenging work environment and, as a trauma and attachment-informed organisation, provide extensive therapeutic training and support for all staff.

Our child-centred approach ensures collaboration between education and therapy professionals, parents/carers, local authority teams, and our students, leading to outstanding outcomes.

The Role HLTAs at our school understand that each day and each child are unique. Our students need special adults who can support them through complex and challenging behaviours.

You will appreciate the need for consistent, flexible communication, attention, and a non-judgemental attitude. Resilience, persistence, and a solution-focused mindset are essential to meet our students' needs. Be prepared to wear many hats and adapt quickly!

This role also includes a 2.5-hour weekly lunchtime supervisor duty.

Our HLTAs may be involved in:

• Supporting teachers in the classroom.

• Working 1:1 with students or leading small group sessions.

• Managing classroom resources.

• Accompanying students on trips and visits.

• Having lunch with students who struggle socially.

• Managing and de-escalating heightened behaviours to ensure safety.

• Engaging in board games and science experiments.

• Creating vibrant displays.

• Celebrating student successes.

• Participating in therapy sessions or reflecting on challenging moments.

We value our HLTAs' contributions to decision-making, advocating for every child, and driving our school's progress. We encourage their input in developing both the academic curriculum and extra-curricular activities, bringing their unique interests and passions to the table.

Benefits and Rewards

• Staff laptop and mobile phone.

• Extensive training and professional qualification opportunities.

• Small class sizes with specialist TA support.

• Enhanced Occupational Sickness Scheme.

• Win up to 150 per month in our REACH awards.

• Receive long-service awards at 2, 5, and 10 years, plus special recognition awards for outstanding practice.

• Salary sacrifice schemes, including childcare vouchers, technology, and cycle-to-work schemes.

• Regular therapeutic and supportive supervision.

• Cashback for various medical appointments and treatments, such as dental, optical, and physio, with MediCash.

We review applications regularly and may close the advert early if we find suitable candidates