Higher Level Teaching Assistant

Durham County Council; Spennymoor; On-site; GBP 23,000 - 28,000; Full time

Job summary

Shotley Bridge Primary School in Consett, Co Durham, is seeking a proactive Higher Level Teaching Assistant to join the team for the Autumn term 2026. The role covers term time only plus two weeks and requires delivering high-quality PPA cover and small group interventions.

You will work across the National Curriculum, support pupils with SEND, plan resources, and contribute to whole-school development within a supportive, inclusive environment.

Qualifications

• Experience across a primary school setting.
• Ability to provide exciting and stimulating learning opportunities for all children.
• Commitment to safeguarding and high standards of teaching and learning.

Responsibilities

• Providing high quality whole class PPA cover in classrooms, ensuring consistency, pace and high expectations for all learners
• Providing short-term cover of classes – both in planned and unexpected non-timetabled situations
• Working collaboratively with the teaching team to support the delivery of the National Curriculum
• Planning and managing resources
• Maintaining high standards in teaching and learning
• Delivering targeted interventions, 1:1 and small group support for pupils with SEND

Skills

PPA cover

Classroom support

SEND support

Resource planning

Job description

Permanent Contract - Full Time 37 hours per week- Mon-Thu 8:00-4:00 Fri 8:00-3:30- Term Time Only plus 2 weeks.

Required to start 2nd November 2026.

The Governors of Shotley Bridge Primary School wish to appoint an enthusiastic and caring Higher Level Teaching Assistant to join this popular and successful primary school for the start of the Autumn term 2026.

We require a Teaching Assistant with experience of successful working across a primary school setting and who is able to provide exciting and stimulating learning opportunities for all children in their care.

Applicants must be committed to further enhancing the very high standards which already exist in the school. We seek an enthusiastic, caring and skilled individual with a passion for learning and inclusive practice.

The successful candidate will also be expected to make a valuable contribution to whole school development and to enriching the experiences of our pupils.

“Pupils of Shotley Brdge Primary School are being moulded into leaders for the future. The school values, including kindness, honesty and courage, are taught to pupils explicitly. – Ofsted October 2023”

Responsibilities include:

• Providing high quality whole class PPA cover in classrooms, ensuring consistency, pace and high expectations for all learners
• Providing short-term cover of classes – both in planned and unexpected non-timetabled situations
• Working collaboratively with the teaching team to support the delivery of the National Curriculum
• Planning and managing resources
• Maintaining high standards in teaching and learning
• Delivering targeted interventions, 1:1 and small group support for pupils with SEND

The ability to converse at ease with customers and provide advice in accurate spoken English is essential for the post.

This post is not open to jobshare.

Calculation of term time only plus two weeks’ pay

Term time only plus two additional weeks’ pay is calculated on the basis of the following:

• Number of ‘teaching’ weeks – 38 weeks; plus
• Public (bank) holidays – 1.6 weeks (8 days); plus
• Two additional weeks, inclusive of CPD – 2 weeks; plus
• Individual leave entitlement - 5.4 weeks (27 days) or 6.4 weeks (32 days)

Individual leave entitlement is calculated on the length of continuous service. Employees with less than 5 years’ service will receive 27 days annual leave. Employees with more than 5 years’ service will receive 32 days annual leave. For example:

Calculation for employees with less than 5 years’ service:

40 weeks (term time plus 2) + 27 days (annual leave) + 8 days (public holidays) = 47 weeks’ pay, to be paid in 12 equal monthly instalments

Calculation for employees with more than 5 years’ service:

40 weeks (term time plus 2) + 32 days (annual leave) + 8 days (public holidays) = 48 weeks’ pay, to be paid in 12 equal monthly instalments.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and, if successful, you will need to apply for an enhanced DBS disclosure.

As a disability confident employer, we are committed to employing disabled people and people with health conditions making reasonable adjustments to support disabled applicants when required.

Closing date for applications is Friday 25th September at 12 noon

Interview date: Wednesday 30th September 2026

Shotley Bridge Primary School

Snows Green Road, Shotley Bridge, Consett, Co Durham DH8 0ES