Higher Level Teaching Assistant

Phoenix Learning & Care Group; Thatcham; On-site; GBP 25,000 - 30,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Term-time holidays

Pension scheme

Learning & Development opportunities

Discounts

Wellbeing support

Cycle2Work

DBS covered

Medicash after 12 months

Job summary

Phoenix Learning and Care Group is seeking a Higher-Level Teaching Assistant to support neurodiverse pupils aged 7–16 at The Grange School in Thatcham. The role is permanent, term-time only, with a salary of £27,704.32 per year.

You'll assist teachers, deliver targeted learning activities, and help learners develop essential life skills in a tailored environment that values each pupil's goals and strengths. Driving is required for trips and activities.

Qualifications

• Experience working in an SEND / ALN school or similar setting.
• Patience, compassion and resilience to support neurodiverse pupils.
• Excellent verbal and written communication for diverse stakeholders.
• Valid driving licence to enable student trips.

Responsibilities

• Assist teaching colleagues with planning, teaching and assessing learning.
• Support pupils 1:1 or in small groups to achieve learning goals.
• Contribute to health and safety checks and staff training as needed.
• Cover for teaching staff in their absence or during meetings.

Skills

SEND/ALN experience

Patience

Communication skills

Driving licence

Job description

About The Role

Job Title: Higher LevelTeaching Assistant

Job Location: The Grange School, Thatcham (RG19)

Salary: £27,704.32 per annum, based on working 40 hours per week, term time only (39.2 weeks per year)

Contract Type: Permanent - Term Time Only

Every person deserves the right to access meaningful education. Some pupils may require additional assistance in order to access education that is built around their needs. That's where you come in. As a Higher-Level Teaching Assistant, you'll work with neurodiverse children and young people (Aged between 7 - 16) that have additional needs related to communication and interaction, cognition, and learning, sensory and/or physical.

Our curriculum is tailored to each individual child, rather than taking a conventional mainstream approach. Each pupils learning is based on their own needs, goals, strengths, and aspirations. Whilst some of our pupils will go on to complete formal qualifications, we measure success in other ways too - Some pupils may have social and emotional challenges, working with them to develop transferable life skills is essential for their transition into adulthood.

As a Higher-Level Teaching Assistant, you'll support teachers in various ways. You may get involved in health and safety checks, delivering training, or even covering for a teacher if they're off sick. You'll be a role model and support for our newer teaching assistants, using your skills to support their development.

You'll get all the training and support you need to make sure our learners have the best experience possible

On average, classes are made up of 5 pupils, so you'll have the chance to really get to know the pupils you support.

A day in the life of a Higher-Level Teaching Assistant will involve:

• Assisting teaching colleagues in all classroom activities including planning, teaching, and assessing learning. Some classes may focus on core subjects like maths or English, whilst others will focus on life skills, such as communication and expressing emotions.
• Working closely with pupils keeping them engaged, motivated, and inspired to reach their full potential.
• Working either 1:1 with pupils, or in small group settings to help them achieve their learning goals.
• Taking on additional responsibilities to make sure the pupils have the support they need. Whether it be health and safety checks, delivering training to colleagues, or supporting teachers when they're off sick or in meetings.

To be a successful Higher Level Teaching Assistant, you'll need:

• Experience working in an SEND / ALN school or similar setting.
• Patience, compassion, and resilience - All of the pupils you'll support will be neurodiverse, which may impact their learning behaviour and communication needs.
• Great communication skills - Both verbal and written communication is important in this role as you'll be speaking to a lot of different people at different times. You'll also need to be able to update the pupils' plans and help create learning material.
• A driving licence - Our pupils love to go on trips and to do activities. We need you to be able to drive them to where they need to go. We have the cars; you just need the licence.
• A genuine interest in a career focused on the education of people with a wide range of needs.

In return for your time, you'll get:

• Holidays - You'll only work term time, but you'll get paid 5.6 weeks annual leave as well!
• Pension scheme- Our pension scheme is based on you paying in 5%, and us adding 3%.
• Learning & Development Opportunities - We provide comprehensive learning opportunities for team members to develop themselves.
• Discounts - You'll have access to brilliant discounts through the Blue Light Card and our own employee benefits platform.
• Wellbeing Support - Your wellbeing is always our priority. You'll have access to mental health and wellbeing support. On top of this, our therapies team offer a monthly confidential check in clinic, and group reflective practice sessions.
• Cycle2Work-The cycle to work scheme enables you to buy a bicycle at a discounted rate.
• DBS- As this role requires you to have an enhanced DBS carried out, we will cover this cost.
• After 12 months service - You'll be eligible for our Medicash scheme which covers a wide range of medical, health and wellbeing expenses (Including immediate access to a GP!). You'll get life assurance paid at 2 x your annual salary, and even more high street discounts.

As part of our commitment to safer recruitment, successful applicants will undergo pre-employment checks, including an enhanced DBS, online and social media checks, and reference validation. Due to the nature of our work, we are exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (1974), so we may ask you to disclose any spent or unspent criminal convictions during recruitment. This disclosure does not automatically disqualify you, and we encourage transparency at the application stage.

At Phoenix Learning and Care, we are committed to diversity and creating an inclusive environment where all team members feel safe to be themselves without risk of discrimination. We believe that a diverse workforce strengthens our organisation, and we strive to ensure everyone can contribute authentically and openly.