Higher Level Teaching Assistant - HLTA

Overview

The Governors are seeking to appoint a well-motivated, skilled and experienced Higher Level Teaching Assistant to prepare and deliver learning activities to groups and classes. The post will be based in upper KS2 but the successful applicant may be asked to work in other year groups as and when required.

Grade: Band G. 19.5 hours a week term time only (Wednesday, Thursday, Friday)

Main Purpose:

To complement the professional work of teachers by taking responsibility for agreed learning activities with the teacher. To plan, prepare and deliver learning activities for individuals, groups and classes. To cover classes for Teacher’s PPA and short-term sickness cover.

We are seeking the following:

Relevant HLTA qualification.
Understanding of statutory frameworks relating to teaching.
Thorough understanding of child development and learning processes
Commitment to inclusion.
Good organisational and management skills.
Ability to organise, lead and motivate a team of Teaching Assistants.
A desire to improve own practice.
Ability to relate well to children and adults.
Work constructively as part of a team, understanding classroom roles and responsibilities and your own position within these.

You will be:

An outstanding and enthusiastic classroom practitioner across the key stages.
Dynamic and highly motivated.
Have high expectations of children.
Able to plan effectively to provide our children with a rich, creative and diverse curriculum.
Have the ability to develop and enhance the caring ethos of our school where all are valued and encouraged to reach the highest possible standards.
Possess excellent communication skills, energy, enthusiasm and a sense of fun.

Duties and Responsibilities

Support for pupils

Assess the needs of pupils and use detailed knowledge and specialist skills to support pupils’ learning.
Establish productive working relationships with pupils, acting as a role model and setting high expectations.
Implement Individual Development Plans and EHCPs.
Promote the inclusion and acceptance of all pupils within the classroom.
Support pupils consistently whilst recognising and responding to their individual needs.
Encourage pupils to interact and work cooperatively with others and engage all pupils in activities.
Promote independence and employ strategies to recognise and reward achievement of self-reliance.
Provide feedback to pupils in relation to progress and achievement.

Support for the Teacher

Organise and manage appropriate learning environments and resources.
Plan challenging teaching and learning activities.
Monitor and evaluate pupils’ responses to learning activities through a range of assessments and monitoring strategies against pre-determined learning objectives.
Provide accurate feedback and reports, as required, to the Teacher, on pupil achievement, progress and other matters, ensuring the availability of appropriate evidence.
Record progress and achievement in lessons/ activities systematically and provide evidence of range and level of progress and attainment.
Work within the established behaviour policy to anticipate and manage behaviour constructively, promoting self-control and independence.
Support parents with pupils’ learning and contribute to meetings with parents as required to provide constructive feedback on pupil progress / achievement.
Administer and assess/ mark tests and invigilate exams/ tests.
Produce lesson plans, worksheets, plans etc.

Support for the Curriculum

Deliver learning activities to pupils, within the agreed system of supervision,

adjusting activities according to pupil responses / needs.

Deliver local and national learning strategies, e.g. Literacy, Numeracy, KS1 and 2, Early Years and make effective use of opportunities provided by other learning activities to support the development of pupils’ skills.
Use ICT effectively to support learning activities and develop pupils’ competence and independence in its use.
Select and prepare resources necessary to lead learning activities, taking account of pupils’ interests and language and cultural backgrounds.
Advise on the appropriate deployment and use of specialist aid/ resources/ equipment.

Support for the School

Be aware of and comply with policies and procedures relating to Child Protection, health, safety and security, confidentiality and data protection, reporting all concerns to an appropriate person in accordance with policy.
Be aware of and support diversity and ensure all pupils have equal access to opportunities to learn and develop.
Contribute to the overall ethos / aims of the school.
Establish constructive relationships and communicate with other agencies / professionals, in liaison with the Teacher, to support achievement and progress of pupils.
Take the initiative, as appropriate, to develop appropriate multi-agency approaches to supporting pupils.
Recognise own strengths and areas of expertise and use these to achieve and support others.
Deliver out of school learning activities within the guidelines established by the school.
Contribute to the identification and execution of appropriate out of school learning activities, which consolidate and extend work carried out in class.

General

Postholders will be required to have met the Higher Level Teaching Assistant standards or have an equivalent or higher qualification.
Attend INSET /staff meetings as required.
Supervise pupils at playtimes (on a rota).

The following knowledge/skills will be required:

Full working knowledge of relevant policies/codes of practice/legislation.
Working knowledge and experience of implementing national/foundation stage curriculum and other relevant learning programmes/strategies.
Good understanding of child development and learning processes.
Understanding of statutory frameworks relating to teaching.
Ability to organise, lead and motivate a team.
Constantly improve own practice/knowledge through self-evaluation and learning from others.
Ability to relate well to children and adults.
Work constructively as part of a team, understanding classroom roles and responsibilities and your own position within these.

Person Specification

Person Specification

1. Experience

Experience of working with primary aged children including Foundation stage - essential - Shortlisting Criteria
Experience of dealing with a range of people in a work setting - essential - Shortlisting Criteria
Experience of developing and implementing a differentiated curriculum-essential - Shortlisting Criteria
Experience of teaching full classes across the primary age range including Foundation - essential - Shortlisting Criteria
Experience of target setting as part of the Appraisal Process - desirable

2. Qualifications and Training – R & S Training

2 GCSE passes in Maths and English (Grade 4 / C or above) - essential - Shortlisting Criteria
Hold HLTA qualification or Higher level school based qualification - essential - Shortlisting Criteria

3. Special Skills Knowledge

Knowledge and competence to use computer applications including Word Processing, Spreadsheets, Databases etc - essential
Ability to prioritise work - essential
Ability to meet deadlines - essential
Ability to clearly interpret oral and written information - essential
Ability to work with attention to detail and accuracy - essential
Ability to communicate effectively with a wide range of people - essential
Ability to ensure sensitive/confidential information is dealt with appropriately - essential
Knowledge of school systems/procedures - desirable
Understanding of statutory frameworks relating to teaching - desirable
Constantly improve own practice/knowledge through self-evaluation and learning from others - essential

4. Personal Qualities

An understanding of and a commitment to equal opportunities issues both within the workplace and the community in general - essential
Conscientious, honest and reliable - essential
Good Timekeeper - essential
Positive approach with a wide range of people - essential

5. Personal Circumstances

Out of hours flexibility - essential
Satisfactory Enhanced Disclosure Statement - essential
Satisfactory references obtained and verified under the safeguard procedures - essential

Salary & Benefits

19.5 hours a week term time only (Wednesday, Thursday, Friday).

Band G - £31067 – £33366 FT to be pro-rated

Benefits

We can offer you:

The opportunity to work in a successful school with a team of motivated professionals.
A vibrant multicultural community.
A chance to make a real difference to the lives of our children and families.
A happy, caring and inclusive setting.
Positive and supportive opportunities for professional development.

Location

Thornhill Primary School
Clough Bank
Rotherham
Yorkshire and the Humber
S61 1TD

Supporting documents

Deadline and how to apply

If you are interested in joining our team and wish to know more, please contact the school, by phone 01709 335999 or email thornhilloffice@thps.org.uk for an application pack.

Applications to be sent to: recruitment@thps.org.uk

This post involves working with children and therefore, if successful, you will be required to apply for a disclosure of criminal records check at an enhanced level. Further information about the Disclosure Scheme can be found at www.gov.uk/disclosure-barring-service-check

Closing Date: Thursday 12^th June @ 5pm

Shortlisting: Friday 13^th June.

Interview Date: Thursday 19^th June 2025

Equal opportunities

This specification has been prepared in accordance with the requirements of the Council’s Equal Opportunities in Employment Policy.

We undertake to make any ‘reasonable adjustments’ to a job or workplace to counteract any disadvantages a disabled person may have.

Job reference: HLTA