Higher Level Teaching Assistant

Hillingdon Manor School; Princes Risborough; On-site; GBP 16,000 - 26,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Life Assurance

Pension scheme with employer matching

Your Wellbeing Matters (health &心理

Flexible Benefits Platform (Vista)

Job summary

Red Kite School in Princes Risborough seeks an experienced Higher Level Teaching Assistant to mentor colleagues and support pupils with SEMH needs. You’ll lead learning, work with therapists and teachers, and help pupils reach their full potential in a therapeutic, nurturing environment.

This is a permanent role, 40 hours per week, starting January 2027. A Level 3 HLTA qualification and GCSEs in English/Maths are required. UK applicants only; sponsorship not available.

Qualifications

• Holds a recognised Level 3 HLTA qualification or equivalent teaching qualification.
• GCSE English and Maths at grade 4/C or above (or equivalent).
• Experience in SEMH or specialist education setting.
• Confident delivering lessons and leading interventions.

Responsibilities

• Deliver engaging lessons and planned learning activities, including class cover when required.
• Support SEMH pupils to access learning and achieve individual goals.
• Use therapeutic approaches to promote positive behaviour and emotional regulation.
• Monitor and record pupil progress with feedback to teachers.
• Develop personalised learning, behaviour and pastoral support plans.
• Mentor and support other Teaching Assistants and share best practice.
• Collaborate with teachers, therapists, families and external professionals.
• Create a calm, inclusive learning environment where pupils feel safe and motivated.

Skills

Excellent communication

Team collaboration

Organised

Education

Level 3 HLTA qualification

Job description

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• Range

Higher Level Teaching Assistant

Red Kite School

• Princes Risborough
• Permanent

Salary: Up to £26,375 per annum (depending on experience)

Hours: 40 hours per week, Monday to Friday

We work smarter so that you can enjoy the things that matter outside of work

Job Title: Higher Level Teaching Assistant
Location: Red Kite School, Princes Risborough, Buckinghamshire, HP27 0JW
Hours: 40 hours per week | Monday to Friday
Salary: Up to £26,375 per annum (depending on experience, not pro rata)
Contract: Permanent | Term Time Only
Start: January 2027
UK applicants only - no sponsorship available

About the Role

Are you an experienced Higher Level Teaching Assistant looking for a role where you can make a genuine difference every day?

At Red Kite School, you'll be more than a classroom support professional, you'll be a trusted mentor, role model and key member of our specialist team, helping pupils with Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH) needs overcome barriers, build confidence and achieve more than they ever thought possible.

Working in a therapeutic, nurturing environment, you'll have the opportunity to lead learning, deliver engaging lessons, mentor colleagues and work alongside experienced teachers, therapists and pastoral staff to help every pupil reach their full potential.

This is a fantastic opportunity for an experienced HLTA who is ready to take on greater responsibility while continuing to make a lasting impact on the lives of children and young people.

What you will be doing:

• Deliver engaging lessons, interventions and planned learning activities, including covering classes when required.
• Support pupils with SEMH needs to access learning, build confidence and achieve their individual goals.
• Use therapeutic, trauma-informed approaches to promote positive behaviour and emotional regulation.
• Monitor, assess and record pupil progress, providing meaningful feedback to teachers and the wider team.
• Help develop and implement personalised learning, behaviour and pastoral support plans.
• Mentor and support Teaching Assistants, sharing best practice and promoting high-quality classroom support.
• Work collaboratively with teachers, therapists, families and external professionals to achieve the best possible outcomes for every pupil.
• Create a calm, inclusive and inspiring learning environment where pupils feel safe, respected and motivated to succeed.

What you will bring:

We're looking for someone who:

• Holds a recognised Level 3 HLTA qualification or an equivalent teaching qualification.
• Has GCSE English and Maths (Grade 4/C or above, or equivalent).
• Has experience working within an SEMH or specialist education setting.
• Is confident delivering lessons, leading interventions and supporting pupils with a wide range of learning and behavioural needs.
• Can build positive, trusting relationships with pupils through a therapeutic, nurturing approach.
• Is an excellent communicator who enjoys working collaboratively as part of a multidisciplinary team.
• Is organised, resilient and passionate about helping every young person achieve their full potential.

About Us

Red Kite School is an independent special school for up to 60 young people aged 11-18 with Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH) needs.

Opened in September 2024, the school is located in the beautiful market town of Princes Risborough, Buckinghamshire. We provide a safe, nurturing and supportive environment where every young person is understood, valued and encouraged to thrive.

Our experienced team creates a calm, structured environment where pupils build confidence, resilience and achieve positive outcomes through personalised learning, high expectations and strong relationships.

Our curriculum develops the knowledge, emotional resilience, social communication and life skills pupils need to succeed in education, their communities and beyond, helping every young person become a confident learner, responsible citizen and prepared for their future.

Acorn Education offers rewarding careers and meaningful challenges while making a real difference in young people’s lives. As a leading UK provider of specialist education for children and young people with special educational needs, and part of Outcomes First Group, we deliver innovative, evidence-based approaches that support measurable progress and lasting impact.

We are really proud to say that in 2025 Outcomes First Group were officially certified as a 'Great Place to Work' for the sixth year running.

Why Join Us?

We place pupils and vulnerable young adults at the heart of everything we do, so every day brings the satisfaction of making a real difference. We are committed to the safeguarding and promoting the welfare of pupils and young people. All applicants will be subject to social media checks and successful applicants to a fully enhanced DBS.

• Life Assurance
• Pension scheme with options to increase contributions
• "Your Wellbeing Matters" - mental health support and physical health checks
• Flexible Benefits Platform (Vista), including:
• Health, wellbeing & insurance benefits
• Hundreds of UK and international discounts
• Cycle to Work Scheme & Electric Car Purchase Scheme
• Critical illness cover
• Family Growth Support, including enhanced maternity/paternity leave and paid fertility treatment support

We reserve the right to close the vacancy early if we receive a high volume of suitable applications.

Outcomes First Group is committed to carrying out a fair, thorough and efficient recruitment process in line with Keeping Children Safe in Education. Whilst we aim to keep applicants informed throughout, Outcomes First Group does not accept liability for any loss of earnings or other associated costs incurred by applicants as a result of delays or changes in the compliance process. All stages of the compliance process are subject to necessary safeguarding checks and compliance with statutory requirements, which may affect timescales.

Wherever you work – whether in a city location or one of our more rural settings – you’ll be part of one dynamic family, aiming high and dreaming big, and helping the people we work with achieve their own personal goals

Salary: Up to £45,000 per annum (depending on experience)

Hours: 40 hours per week, Monday to Friday

Closing date: Wednesday, 26th August 2026

Salary: Up to £50,000 per annum (depending on experience,)

Hours: 40 hours per week, Monday to Friday

Salary: Up to £28,000 per annum (depending on experience)

Hours: 40 hours per Week, Monday to Friday

Closing date: Wednesday, 26th August 2026

With amazing teams working across our family of brands – Acorn Education, Options Autism, Momenta Connect and Blenheim Schools – we offer a huge range of exciting career opportunities.

Meeting the social and emotional needs of pupils who have faced trauma or adversity, equipping them for life's important steps.

Supporting autistic pupils to value their uniqueness and access the world in their own way.

At Momenta Connect we support young people to overcome barriers and engage with education.

We are committed to enabling outstanding futures for all children through a portfolio of inclusive, high-quality independent and international schools.