Higher Level Teaching Assistant at Westfield School

Silverdale School; Wooburn Green; On-site; GBP 21,000 - 27,000; Full time

Job summary

Westfield School invites applications for a Higher Level Teaching Assistant (HLTA) to support pupils with communication and interaction needs. The role focuses on high-quality teaching, learning and therapeutic provision, working with teachers, therapists and LSAs to ensure personalised support and progress.

You will help plan, deliver and assess targeted interventions, contribute to pupil progress reporting and support families and professionals.

Qualifications

• Passion for supporting children with special educational needs.
• Strong understanding of effective teaching and learning; adaptable approaches.
• Ability to lead learning and maintain a structured classroom during cover.
• Collaborate with teachers, therapists and professionals to support pupils' learning.
• Contribute to planning, assessment and reporting of pupils' progress.
• Confidently communicate with parents and carers about pupils' progress.

Responsibilities

• Support high-quality teaching and therapeutic provision for pupils.
• Liaise with therapists and class teams to plan and deliver interventions.
• Model best practice and mentor Learning Support Assistants.
• Take leadership during teacher absence and maintain routines across the school.
• Promote consistency and assist in school development priorities.
• Provide feedback on pupil progress and barriers to learning.

Skills

SEN experience

Teaching knowledge

Lead classroom cover

Therapist collaboration

Parent communication

Job description

About this Role

Higher Level Teaching Assistant

Could You Help Shape the Future for Children withSpecial Educational Needs?

Westfield School is seeking an enthusiastic, caring and experienced HigherLevel Teaching Assistant (HLTA) to join our growing team. This is an exciting opportunity for someone who is ready to take on greater responsibility withinthe classroom and across the school, while making a genuine difference tochildren with communication and interaction needs.

"Staff are happy and proud to work at the school. They feel highlyvalued by leaders and are highly motivated to help pupils achieve theirbest."

Ofsted Inspection Report, February 2024

Westfield School is a primary-aged special school for children withCommunication and Interaction needs within the moderate learning difficulty(MLD) and mild learning disability range. Most pupils have a diagnosis ofAutism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), often alongside additional needs such asspeech, language and communication difficulties, sensory processingdifferences, ADHD, anxiety, dyspraxia or global developmental delay.

Many of our pupils join us after finding mainstream school environmentsoverwhelming and challenging. At Westfield School, we provide a calm,structured and nurturing environment where children feel safe, understood and able to succeed. Visitors frequently comment on the positive atmosphere of the school, where strong relationships, personalised support and a focus on wellbeing underpin everything we do.

About the role:

As an HLTA, you will play an important role in supportinghigh-quality teaching, learning and therapeutic provision for our pupils.Working closely with class teachers, therapists and Learning SupportAssistants, you will help ensure that pupils receive consistent, individualisedsupport that enables them to make progress and achieve their full potential.

You will support our Integrated Therapeutic approach, liaising withtherapists and class teams to help plan, co-ordinate, deliver and assessindividual and group interventions. You will contribute to planning andassessment, provide feedback on pupil progress and barriers to learning, andsupport communication with families and other professionals.

A key part of the role will be supporting the development of LearningSupport Assistants, modelling good practice, helping colleagues to implementtheir training and providing an effective link between LSAs and the class teacher.

You will also have opportunities to take greater responsibility forteaching and learning, including leading the class during teacher absence,maintaining established routines, deploying staff effectively and ensuring thatlearning continues to reflect pupils' individual priorities.

Beyond the classroom, our HLTAs contribute to the wider development ofthe school. You will take responsibility for an identified area of provision,work collaboratively with other HLTAs to promote consistency across the school,contribute to school development priorities and support outreach work withother schools through modelling, explanation and instruction.

We are looking for someone who:

• Is passionate about supporting children with special educational needs and helping them achieve their full potential.
• Has a strong understanding of effective teaching and learning and can adapt approaches to meet individual pupils' needs.
• Can confidently lead learning and maintain a positive, structured classroom environment when providing cover for the class teacher.
• Can work collaboratively with teachers, therapists and other professionals to support pupils' learning, development and wellbeing.
• Can contribute effectively to the planning, assessment and reporting of pupils' progress.
• Is confident communicating appropriately with parents and carers about pupils' progress, achievements and next steps.
• Can support and develop other staff by modelling good practice and building positive working relationships.
• Can support the planning, delivery and assessment of targeted therapeutic interventions.
• Can promote positive behaviour, regulation, independence and inclusion.
• Is organised and able to take responsibility for an area of provision across the school.
• Is patient, adaptable, resilient and able to use initiative.
• Is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children.
• Is keen to continue developing professionally and contribute to the ongoing development of the school.

What we can offer:

In return, we offer a welcoming and supportive school community,opportunities for ongoing training and professional development, and a variedrole in which you can have a real impact both within your classroom and acrossthe wider school.

One afternoon per fortnight is allocated to the HLTA for planning,preparation and assessment and liaison with therapists. HLTAs are also expectedto attend for one hour per week outside the school day to work alongsideteachers on planning and assessment, prepare resources or attend curriculummeetings.

If you share our commitment to helping every child feel understood,included and able to succeed, we would love to hear from you.

If you would like to find out more about our school or arrange a visit,please contact the school office on 01628 533125 or email [email protected].