Higher Level Teaching Assistant

Swavesey Village College; Cambridge; On-site; GBP 24,000 - 28,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Initial Teacher Training

Mental health support

Cycle to work

Pension scheme

Eye care vouchers

Free on-site parking

Job summary

Swavesey Village College in Cambridge is seeking a Higher-Level Teaching Assistant to join a friendly team. You will support pupils across year groups, deliver phonics/reading fluency, and assist with planning, assessment and safeguarding.

The post is on a 32.5-hour week basis via Meridian Trust Grade 7, points 12–19. The successful candidate will have NVQ Level 3 HLTA or be working towards it, with a proven ability to work collaboratively with teachers and SENDCo to raise progress for pupils

Qualifications

• NVQ Level 3/HLTA qualification or equivalent is required or a commitment to work towards it.
• Experience supporting pupils not on track to meet age expectations, including EAL.
• Capable of delivering high-quality learning activities with teaching staff.

Responsibilities

• Provide bespoke provision for pupils not on track to meet age expectations.
• Deliver high-quality phonics and reading fluency provision.
• Support planning and evaluation of learning activities with staff.
• Assist with APDRs, behaviour plans, and assessments with feedback.
• Promote inclusion and participation across the academy.

Skills

Pupil support

Phonics instruction

Reading fluency

Team collaboration

Education

NVQ Level 3 Teaching Assistant/HLTA

Job description

Vacancy for Higher Level Teaching Assistant

Salary: Meridian Trust Grade 7, Points 12-19

Hours: 32.5 per week

We are looking for an enthusiastic person who would like to join our friendly and hardworking team as a Higher-Level Teaching Assistant. This is an exciting opportunity for a capable and experienced teaching assistant who is looking to progress their career and who would like to develop their knowledge and expertise in providing specialist intervention for pupils who need to accelerate their rate of progress.

Swavesey Village College is a vibrant and happy place to work where all the staff are dedicated to the support of our fantastic and eager to learn children.

You will be working under the direction of the class teacher and SENDCo to:

• Provide personalised, bespoke provision for pupils who are not on track to meet age expectations, including pupils with EAL.
• Deliver high quality phonics and reading fluency provision.
• Contribute to the planning and evaluation of learning activities with teaching staff in order to plan and deliver high quality educational provision for our young people.
• Support the implementation of APDRs, behaviour plans, curriculum planning and assessment, providing detailed feedback to the teacher, parent or outside agency as needed.
• Encourage and promote the inclusion and acceptance of all children.
• Contribute to the wider life of the academy, including after school educational provision.

The ideal candidate:

• Is skillful in working with children in all year groups to support their learning and progress.
• Is confident and resilient, patient and nurturing and who wants to help us to support our pupils to thrive and develop into successful young people.
• Demonstrates excellent classroom practice with high standards of teaching and learning.
• Can act on their own initiative.
• Is qualified to NVQ Level 3 for Teaching Assistants/HLTA qualification or equivalent or is willing to work towards this qualification.
• Is a good team player who is willing to contribute to the ethos and wider community of the academy.
• Is motivated, passionate, and reflective about their work.
• Demonstrates an understanding of child protection and safeguarding issues.

About Swavesey Village College -

Swavesey Village College was judged to be Outstanding in all categories by Ofsted in May 2024. Ofsted report that ‘Swavesey Village College is a welcoming, inclusive school with high ambitions for all’, and that ‘Leaders have created a vibrant, successful school where all are welcome and all can succeed’. Moreover, they feel ‘The curriculum for personal development is exemplary’. The achievements of our students are remarkable, both academically in examination success, and across an incredibly wide range of sports, arts and other co-curricular areas.

Swavesey is a village community school located close to Cambridge with excellent transport links to Cambridge and the pretty market town of St Ives, however, we have a considerable local and national reputation for academic excellence and innovation as part of our Academy Trust - Meridian Trust.

About Meridian Trust -

Meridian Trust is a values-led organisation formed in 2011 that has risen to be one of the highest-performing academy trusts in the country. The Trust is founded on its commitment to a high-quality educational provision for all at the heart of local communities. Meridian currently operates primary, secondary and special schools across Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Peterborough, Lincolnshire and Northamptonshire.

Meridian Trust offers a wealth of fantastic benefits for teaching and support staff which are highlighted below but are not limited to -

• Apprenticeship and CPD opportunities which allow you to gain specialist knowledge in a role you are passionate about developing in
• Opportunity to jump start your career in teaching through our dedicated Initial Teacher Training Team (ITT)
• Support for mental health and wellbeing through our Employee Assistance Programme and other resources
• Cycle to work scheme
• Defined benefit local government or Teacher’s pension scheme
• Healthcare benefits including free eye test vouchers and flu vaccinations
• Free on-site parking
• Discounts on a wide range of benefits from everyday essentials to holidays

To explore our full range of benefits, please visit https://www.meridiantrust.co.uk/jobs-and-training/benefits/.

For more information about the role please download the Applicant Information Pack below.

Closing date for applications: 15th September 2026 9am

Meridian Trust reserves the right to close the applications early in the event that a suitable candidate is sourced. Applications will be reviewed as received so please apply early to avoid disappointment.

The Trust is committed to diversity and inclusion and equality of opportunity for all staff and applications from individuals are encouraged regardless of age, disability, sex, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, race, religion or belief and marriage and civil partnerships.

The Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. All appointments will be subject to pre-employment checks, including an enhanced check with the Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS), as well as online searches.