Higher Level Teaching Assistant

Aurora Rowan School; Reading; On-site; GBP 26,000 - 29,000; Full time

Job summary

A specialist education institution located in Reading is seeking a Higher Level Teaching Assistant (HLTA) to support classroom activities and management. The ideal candidate will assist in teaching and learning, offer pupil welfare and safeguarding support, and help the school achieve its goals. This role requires effective communication skills, experience in education, and a passion for fostering a positive learning environment. The position offers a competitive salary and opportunities for professional development.

Benefits

Life assurance

Enhanced pension scheme

High street discounts through Perkbox

Employee assistance programme

Car lease scheme

Fully funded training and qualifications

Bike to work scheme

Health cash back plan

Qualifications

• Experience as a Higher Level Teaching Assistant or similar role.
• Ability to support pupil welfare and safeguarding effectively.
• Strong communication skills to engage with children and parents.

Responsibilities

• Support the Class Teacher in daily classroom activities.
• Teach individual lessons and groups in consultation with the teacher.
• Deputize for the teacher in their absence.

Skills

Pupil Welfare and Safeguarding

Supporting Teaching and Learning

Monitoring and Recording

Career Development Support

Job description

HIGHER LEVEL TEACHING ASSISTANT

Location: Tokers Green, Reading

Salary: £14.77ph - £16.13ph (actual annual salary = £26,390 - £28,821 per year) dependant on experience and qualifications

Contract: Permanent

Hours: 40 hours per week, term time only

Start date: As soon as possible

Aurora Rowan School

Part of the Aurora Group, Aurora Rowan School in Tokers Green, Reading, Berkshire opened in November 2024, supporting young people aged 6‑16 with a diagnosis of Autism spectrum disorder, moderate to Severe Learning needs and associated difficulties, who require an individualised, specialist approach.

We are a passionate team that put the opportunity to provide the best possible outcomes for our children and young people in their preparation for adult life at the centre of all we do and our decision making. At Aurora Rowan School it is our aim to raise standards by promoting a school ethos which is underpinned by core values. These values support the development of the whole child as an effective and engaged learner within a calm, caring, happy and purposeful atmosphere. The support we will provide enables each of our students to engage and progress at their own level within a learning environment designed to help them achieve their full potential as they reach adulthood.

We are looking for team members who feel they can demonstrate our values.

Staff at Aurora Rowan:

• Value all the children.
• Display great patience and listen carefully to children.
• Focus on and emphasise the positive.
• Face reality and help pupils to come to terms with difficult issues as they arise.
• Only disapprove of poor behaviour, never the child.
• Try to make time for one another.
• Are mutually supportive.
• Speak quietly and avoid shouting.
• Are valued by the governors and the community.
• Have a good sense of humour.
• Communicate with parents to ensure that they appreciate the school’s values and to ensure that there is a common understanding.

In order for the school’s purpose to be effective and for the values to be meaningful to the pupils, the staff understand that the basic needs of children are:

• To feel secure and know clearly what is expected of them.
• To be valued.
• To have a balance of activities – active/passive; quiet/talking; communicating/reflective; taught skills/exploratory work.
• To have help to develop relationships.
• To develop self‑awareness and a knowledge of the world outside of themselves.
• To have creative experiences, including external exploration and internal reflection.
• To be fully involved in the process of education.

Opportunity

We are currently looking to recruit a Higher Level Teaching Assistant (HLTA) to join our expanding team and work alongside the Education Team to aid the smooth running of the school.

This is an exciting opportunity to join a new venture in a school that will grow with you. You will be a part of a Brand‑New School set up. It is an opportunity for you to help shape the provision and develop the school to be the best that it can be.

Job Summary

The purpose of the Higher Level Teaching Assistant is to support the Class teacher with all elements of the day to day running of the class and to teach whole classes, groups and individual lessons in consultation with the Class Teacher on a regular basis across a range of classes.

To support and deputise the teacher in their absence in all areas including:

• Pupil Welfare and Safeguarding
• Supporting Teaching and Learning
• Pupils Attainment and Progress
• Monitoring and Recording
• Supporting TA’s and prompting career development

Please note that duties will vary and you will be expected to contribute to the overall aims of Aurora Rowan School when required.

What we Offer

Be part of our successful team and also benefit from a generous package that includes:

• Life assurance
• Enhanced pension scheme
• Perkbox – offering high street discounts
• Employee assistance programme
• Car lease scheme
• Fully funded training and qualifications
• Bike to work scheme
• Free membership to our Health cash back plan – claim back money on services such as dental, optical, physio and many more.

How to apply

Ready to make a difference? Apply online by completing our online application form.

Successful applicants will be subject to pre-employment safeguarding checks including an enhanced disclosure and barring service (DBS) check.

The post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and the Aurora Group is therefore permitted to ask job applicants to declare all convictions and cautions (including those which are "spent" unless they are "protected" under the DBS filtering rules) in order to assess their suitability to work with children.

The Aurora Group is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of the children and young adults in our care and is a disability and equal opportunities employer.

Closing Date

The role will remain open until it is filled – please apply early as we may close the role when we have a suitable level of interest.

Please note that candidates that are shortlisted might be subject to an online search.

Safeguarding Statement

Aurora Rowan School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults, and expects all staff and volunteers to understand and share this commitment. We have a shared commitment to develop a culture of respect, where discrimination is not tolerated. We welcome all applications, including those from under‑represented groups including ethnicity, gender, transgender, age, disability, sexual orientation or religion.