Higher Level Teaching Assistant (HLTA) and Team (Crew) Leader

We Manage Jobs(WMJobs); Walsall; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

Walsall Studio School is seeking a dedicated HLTA Team Leader to support students with social, emotional, and mental health needs. This vital role involves delivering individual and group support while leading a team to create an inclusive learning environment. The successful candidate will contribute to safeguarding and inclusion practices, ensuring all students can thrive within both the specialist support provision and the wider school community.

Qualifications

• Experience in supporting students with SEMH, autism, and anxiety.
• Strong understanding of trauma-informed practices.
• Ability to manage and mentor a team of support staff.

Responsibilities

• Deliver personalized learning and pastoral support for vulnerable students.
• Lead and manage a small team of Teaching Assistants.
• Support students' emotional regulation and wellbeing.

Skills

Team Leadership

Inclusive Education

Emotional Support

Communication

Education

Higher Level Teaching Assistant (HLTA) status

Job description

Walsall Studio School and Sixth is a deliberately small, forward-thinking school serving young people aged 14 to 19 who are passionate about creative pathways in performance, music, and media. We offer a unique learning environment that looks and feels like a modern creative workplace rather than a traditional school, with flexible studio spaces and industry-standard facilities that reflect the real world our students are preparing to enter.

At the heart of our mission is a commitment to inclusion, aspiration, and professional standards. We believe in treating our students as young professionals, helping them to thrive both personally and creatively through high expectations, trauma-informed practice, and a deep understanding of the individual. Our culture is one where every student is known, seen, and supported.

As a founding member of The Mercian Trust, we are proud to be part of a family of schools that share our belief in partnership, collaboration, and community. We work closely with industry partners, creative professionals, and local organisations to ensure our students gain not just qualifications, but authentic experiences that prepare them for the world beyond education.

If you share our values and want to help shape the next generation of creative professionals, we would love to hear from you.

The HLTA – Studio 5 Team Leader plays a pivotal role in leading Walsall Studio School’s specialist support provision (SRP), Studio 5. This provision supports students with social, emotional and mental health needs, communication and interaction difficulties, and anxiety. The postholder will deliver high-quality, personalised learning and pastoral support while coordinating a small team of Teaching Assistants and Therapeutic Workers. This role combines classroom support, leadership, and pastoral care to ensure every student in Studio 5 thrives both within the SRP and the wider school.

Key Responsibilities

1. Teaching and Learning Support

• Deliver small group and 1:1 interventions aligned with EHCPs.
• Support students in mainstream lessons, promoting independence and engagement.
• Adapt resources and teaching strategies to meet individual needs.
• Use assessment for learning to monitor and respond to progress.
• Cover and deliver sessions in the absence of teaching staff.

2. Team Leadership

• Line manage Studio 5 support staff, overseeing deployment and development.
• Lead Crew meetings and contribute to SEND planning and reviews.
• Model trauma-informed and inclusive practices.
• Provide coaching and in-role support to ensure high-quality provision.
• Support strategic planning with the Deputy Headteacher.

3. Student Support and Pastoral Care

• Act as a key adult for a small caseload of students.
• Implement trauma-informed and attachment-aware approaches.
• Support emotional regulation, transitions, and relationship-building.
• Liaise with families and external professionals to coordinate support.
• Contribute to risk assessments and crisis management plans.

4. Inclusion and Safeguarding

• Promote inclusive practice and student voice.
• Uphold safeguarding, confidentiality, and data protection policies.
• Maintain accurate records and support statutory SEND processes.
• Encourage attendance, punctuality, and readiness to learn.

5. Professional Development

• Engage in CPD related to SEMH, autism, anxiety, and inclusive education.
• Share best practices and mentor colleagues.
• Maintain HLTA status and pursue agreed training opportunities.

The Mercian Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people/vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Safeguarding and Safer Recruitment Policies can be found on our website. This position is subject to appropriate vetting procedures including a criminal record check from the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly CRB) which will require you to disclose details of all unspent and unfiltered spent reprimands, formal warnings, cautions and convictions as part of the recruitment process.