Higher Level Teaching Assistant

Suffolk County Council; Ipswich; Hybrid; GBP 24,000 - 30,000; Part time

Job summary

Castle Hill Infant and Junior Schools in Ipswich are looking for an enthusiastic Higher Level Teaching Assistant to support the PPA and cover team, and to assist children with SEND under direction of class teachers and the SENDCo. You will help raise achievement while nurturing social, emotional, and cultural needs.

The post reports to the HLTA Lead and is based at Castle Hill. HLTA status is advantageous but not essential; strong literacy and numeracy skills are required.

Qualifications

• HLTA status is advantageous but not essential, though strong literacy and numeracy skills are required.
• SEND experience: Experience working with children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) and delivering Learning Plans/EHCP targets.
• Safeguarding knowledge: Clear awareness of and adherence to safeguarding procedures, health and safety, and equal opportunities policies.
• Core skills: Ability to administer basic first aid and assist with medical procedures following local authority guidelines.

Responsibilities

• Whole Class Instruction: Deliver lessons to whole classes as part of the PPA and cover team.
• Targeted Learning Support: Support children of all abilities, both individually and in small groups.
• SEND and EHCP Support: Implement strategies, programmes, and resources from Learning Plans and assist with Annual Reviews for EHCPs.
• Progress Tracking and Communication: Make notes and communicate progress to teachers and parents.
• Emotional and Behavioural Support: Foster resilience and manage behaviour in line with school policy.
• Classroom and School Environment: Prepare materials, assist with visits, maintain tidy spaces, and support extracurricular activities.

Skills

HLTA status

Literacy skills

Numeracy skills

SEND experience

Job description

• Castle Hill Infant and Junior Schools
• Address: Ipswich, Suffolk IP1 6QD
• Salary: £30,024 per annum pro rata (Grade 4 Point 15 – 19)
• Hours: 32.5 hours per week, 39 weeks per year, 8.30am – 3.30pm Monday – Friday
• Contract: Permanent, required as soon as possible
• Reference: 5374

Castle Hill Infant and Junior Schools are established schools based in Ipswich. We are two schools, working as one. We are part of a thriving multi-academy trust, ASSET Education.

We are incredibly proud of our schools; our curriculum is inspiring and engaging, supporting pupils to uncover new worlds and opportunities.

We have high expectations for our learners to achieve and develop them to be active members of our school community through our values of Passion, Resilience, Integrity, Determination and Equity.

We nurture the whole child, understanding the importance of developing pupils socially, emotionally and culturally. Castle Hill is proudly inclusive. Everyone is valued and celebrated within our community. All are lifelong members of #TeamCastleHill. If you would like to find out more about our incredible schools, contact our office to arrange a visit. We can't wait to show you around.

Be your best, give it your all, do it with PRIDE

We are seeking an enthusiastic and committed Higher Level Teaching Assistant to support our PPA and cover team within the school, alongside supporting children with their learning, including those with special educational needs, under the direction of our class teachers and SENDCo. In this rewarding role, you will help raise achievement for all pupils while nurturing their social, emotional and cultural needs.

Key Responsibilities

• Whole Class Instruction: As part of the PPA and cover team within the school, you will be delivering lessons to whole classes.
• Targeted Learning Support: Support children of all abilities, both individually and in small groups, helping them learn as effectively and independently as possible.
• SEND and EHCP Support: Implement strategies, programmes, and resources laid out in Learning Plans and assist with the planning, assessment, and statutory Annual Reviews for pupils with Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs).
• Progress Tracking and Communication: Make ongoing notes and assessments of progress, report back to class teachers and the Inclusion Leader, and liaise with parents/carers under teacher guidance.
• Emotional and Behavioural Support: Foster emotional resilience, support children’s emotional development, and manage behaviour in line with the school’s positive behaviour policy.
• Classroom and School Environment: Prepare learning materials, assist with educational visits, help maintain a tidy learning environment, assist at the start/end of the day and during playground breaks, and contribute to extra-curricular activities (including running a club).

Requirements

• Status and Qualifications: HLTA status is advantageous but not essential, though strong literacy and numeracy skills are required.
• SEND Experience: Experience working with children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) and delivering Learning Plans/EHCP targets.
• Safeguarding Knowledge: Clear awareness of and adherence to all school safeguarding procedures, health and safety, and equal opportunities policies.
• Core Skills: Ability to administer basic first aid (or willingness to train) and assist with medical procedures following local authority guidelines.

You will be:

• A Champion for Inclusion: Deeply committed to equal opportunities, valuing diversity, and helping every child reach their full potential.
• Empathic and Patient: Skilled at nurturing children’s confidence, emotional resilience, and positive social interactions.
• A Team Player: Collaborative, proactive, and resilient, with a strong commitment to upholding the school’s vision, values, and staff code of conduct.
• Adaptable: Ready to jump into a wide range of tasks, from classroom learning and playground supervision to extra-curricular clubs and school trips.

You will:

• Empower Learners: Help children overcome learning barriers and develop independence in their reading, writing, and maths.
• Collaborate Closely: Work hand-in-hand with class teachers, the SENDCo, and Phase Leaders to deliver tailored provision for pupils.
• Grow Professionally: Attend relevant in-service and external training, participate in school meetings, and actively contribute to the ongoing life of the school.
• Make a Lasting Impact: Provide a safe, welcoming, and structured environment where children feel valued, supported, and ready to learn.

This post will be reporting directly to our HLTA Lead, Hayley Macken, and will be based at Castle Hill.

For more information

Please read the Recruitment Pack (pdf).

To find out more about us, please visit our website.

For further details, or to arrange an initial discussion and or informal tour of the school with the Headteacher Jennifer Smith, please contact Joanne Sparkhall, Office Manager by emailing [e-mail] or by calling 01473 741758.

Due to the summer break, all enquiries will be reviewed and responded to starting 25 August, we thank you for your patience.

Closing date: 1pm, 2 September 2026

Interview date: 7 September 2026

ASSET Education is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and the amendments to the Exceptions Order 1975, 2013 and 2020.

The successful candidate will have to meet the requirements of the job description and will be subject to pre-employment checks including an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) and children's barred list check, health check, online search and satisfactory references.