Higher Level Teaching Assistant

Teaching Vacancies; Bury St Edmunds; On-site; GBP 27,000 - 30,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Travel allowance

LGPS pension scheme

Flexible working policies

Staff development opportunities

Job summary

Priory School, Bury St Edmunds is seeking a Higher-Level Teaching Assistant (HLTA) to join SENDAT Trust, supporting children with complex needs including ASD. You will work with teachers to deliver engaging activities, lead small group and 1:1 interventions and help establish calm, structured routines that foster progress and personal growth.

We value patience, reflective practice and a genuine commitment to inclusive education.

Qualifications

• Patient, reflective and passionate about inclusive education.
• Good understanding of autism, sensory processing differences and communication strategies.
• Experience or training in Trauma-Informed Practice (TIS) would be advantageous.
• Background in supporting pupils with additional or complex needs.

Responsibilities

• Work closely with teachers to deliver engaging and differentiated learning activities.
• Lead small group and one-to-one interventions.
• Help create positive, structured routines that promote academic progress and personal growth.
• Foster emotional wellbeing, independence and confidence for every pupil.

Skills

Patience

Reflective

Inclusive education

Autism understanding

Sensory processing

Communication strategies

Trauma-Informed Practice

SEND provision experience

Job description

What skills and experience we're looking for

• Priory School, Bury St Edmunds (with expectation to potentially cover otherEEG sites surrounding Bury St Edmunds (travel allowance provided)
• 37 hours a week, 39 weeks per year
• Salary: £27,255 - £29,541 per annum (Dependent on qualifications and experience)

We are seeking a Higher-Level Teaching Assistant (HLTA) to join our dedicated and compassionate team, supporting children and young people with complex moderate learning difficulties, including Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and associated social, emotional, and communication needs. This rewarding role is integral to helping each learner thrive within a calm, consistent, and nurturing environment.

As a valued member of our team, you will work closely with teachers to deliver engaging and differentiated learning activities, lead small group and one-to-one interventions, and help create positive, structured routines that promote both academic progress and personal growth. You will also play an important role in fostering emotional wellbeing, independence, and confidence, ensuring that every pupil feels understood, valued, and supported.

We are looking for someone who is patient, reflective, and passionate about inclusive education. A good understanding of autism, sensory processing differences, and communication strategies is desirable, alongside the ability to adapt to the needs of individual learners. Experience or training in Trauma-Informed Practice (TIS) would be advantageous, as would any background in supporting pupils with additional or complex needs.

In return, you will join a caring and collaborative team where your ideas and professional growth are valued. You’ll have opportunities to develop your skills further and make a genuine difference to the lives of children who benefit from stability, creativity, and understanding in their learning journey.

Please note travel across sites is an expectation of this post – willingness and flexibility to support multiple SEND provision sites is required.

What the school offers its staff

• Membership into Local Government Pension Scheme
• Family friendly policies and flexible working
• Access to our Employee Assistance Programme
• Access to various memberships and discount schemes
• Learning and development opportunities - including staff development days
• Funded subject course development for your role
• Range of staff communities, including EDI and neurodiverse communities
• Career progression opportunities

Commitment to safeguarding

SENDAT Trust are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Safer recruitment checks will be required for all of our staff at SENDAT.