High Level Teaching Assistant

Rochdale Council; Heywood; On-site; GBP 32,000 - 35,000; Full time

Job summary

Oak Haven School is seeking a dedicated Higher-Level Teaching Assistant (HLTA) to join our SEMH-focused team. This fixed-term post supports a small cohort of primary learners with bespoke, practical curricula, emphasising relationships, emotional regulation and life skills.

Working with the Headteacher and staff, you will deliver differentiated learning activities, contribute to assessment, and collaborate with families and specialists to promote positive outcomes.

Qualifications

• HLTA qualification or equivalent relevant experience is essential.
• Experience working with primary-aged learners, ideally with SEMH or other additional needs is desirable.
• Able to build positive, trusting relationships with children who may have barriers to education.

Responsibilities

• Deliver engaging, practical and differentiated learning activities to a small cohort of primary-aged learners.
• Support the development and implementation of a bespoke curriculum that responds to individual needs, interests and abilities.
• Establish safe, predictable and nurturing learning environments where learners feel valued, understood and ready to learn.
• Use trauma-informed, relational and restorative approaches to support behaviour, emotional regulation and positive relationships.
• Develop learners’ communication, literacy, numeracy, independence, social skills and readiness for learning.
• Plan and deliver purposeful, hands-on learning experiences, including outdoor learning and real-life learning.
• Monitor and record learners’ progress, engagement and wellbeing, contributing to assessment and reviews.
• Work collaboratively with teachers, teaching assistants, families and relevant professionals to promote positive outcomes.

Skills

HLTA experience

SEMH experience

Education

HLTA qualification or equivalent

Job description

Grade: Grade 7 (SCP 25 – 29)

Contract Type: Fixed Term

Hours: 37 Hours Per Week

Working Pattern: Term Time (+ 1 Week)

Actual Salary: £32,079 - £35,166

Interview Date: Friday 20th November 2026

Do you have the passion, creativity and resilience to make a real difference to the lives of children with social, emotional and mental health needs?

Oak Haven School is looking for an enthusiastic, nurturing and creative Higher-Level Teaching Assistant (HLTA) to join our team as soon as possible.

At Oak Haven School, we are committed to empowering our learners, helping them heal and enabling them to thrive. We are a specialist Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH) school for learners from Key Stage 2 to Key Stage 4. Our learners have complex needs and require adults who can look beyond behaviour, understand the child behind it and build the trusting relationships that make learning possible.

We are seeking a dedicated HLTA to work with a small cohort of primary-aged learners who require a bespoke, practical and highly personalised curriculum. These learners need an approach that places relationships, emotional regulation, engagement and the development of essential life skills at the heart of their education.

This is an exciting opportunity for someone who is passionate about helping children re-engage with education, develop confidence and experience success in learning. You will help create meaningful learning opportunities that build on learners’ interests, strengths and individual starting points, enabling them to develop academically, socially and emotionally.

What will the role involve?

Working closely with the Headteacher, teaching staff and wider school team, you will:

• Deliver engaging, practical and differentiated learning activities to a small cohort of primary-aged learners.
• Support the development and implementation of a bespoke curriculum that responds to individual needs, interests and abilities.
• Establish safe, predictable and nurturing learning environments where learners feel valued, understood and ready to learn.
• Use trauma-informed, relational and restorative approaches to support behaviour, emotional regulation and positive relationships.
• Develop learners’ communication, literacy, numeracy, independence, social skills and readiness for learning.
• Plan and deliver purposeful, hands-on learning experiences, including opportunities for outdoor learning, creative activities, problem-solving and real-life learning.
• Monitor and record learners’ progress, engagement and wellbeing, contributing to assessment and reviews.
• Work collaboratively with teachers, teaching assistants, families and relevant professionals to promote positive outcomes.
• Maintain high expectations while recognising that progress may look different for every learner.

Who are we looking for?

We are looking for someone who:

• Has experience of working successfully with primary-aged children, ideally those with SEMH or other additional needs.
• Can build positive, trusting relationships with children who may have experienced significant barriers to education.
• Is creative, adaptable and confident in developing practical learning opportunities.
• Understands that behaviour can communicate unmet needs and responds with curiosity rather than judgement.
• Can use initiative, work independently when required and collaborate effectively with colleagues.
• Is patient, emotionally resilient, reflective and committed to helping every child succeed.

An HLTA qualification or equivalent relevant experience is essential to the role. Experience of specialist SEND or SEMH provision would be highly desirable.

Why join Oak Haven School?

At Oak Haven, relationships come first. We believe that children need to feel safe, understood and connected before they can fully engage in learning. Our approach is rooted in trauma-informed practice, the principles of PACE (Playfulness, Acceptance, Curiosity and Empathy) and our commitment to helping every learner Empower, Heal and Thrive.

You will join a dedicated team that recognises the importance of compassion, consistency, creativity and high aspirations. This is an opportunity to help shape a provision that could make a lasting difference to children who need an alternative route into successful learning.

The school is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

Appointment to this post is subject to an enhanced Disclosure and Barring and background check

The ability to converse at ease with customers and service users and provide advice in accurate spoken English is an essential requirement of this post.

Applicants are advised that by applying for this position they are declaring that they are not subject to any immigration controls or restrictions that prohibit them undertaking work in the UK, and that they are able to provide proof of their Right to Work in the UK if they are invited to attend an interview.

The school will carry out an online search as part of their due-diligence for all shortlisted candidates in line with Keeping Children Safe in Education 2024.

This is a fixed term contract linked to specific external funding.