Higher Level Teaching Assistant: Literacy and Numeracy

Teaching Vacancies; Wareham; On-site; GBP 25,000 - 35,000; Full time

Job summary

The Purbeck School is seeking an exceptional Higher Level Teaching Assistant (HLTA) to lead targeted literacy and numeracy interventions for pupils who enter secondary school below age-related expectations. You will work closely with the SENDCo and English and mathematics teams to deliver structured intervention and monitor pupil progress.

This specialist role requires experience with low attainment and SEND, strong communication skills, and the ability to assess and document impact.

Qualifications

• HLTA status or equivalent experience.
• GCSE English and Maths at Grade C/4 or above.
• Experience delivering individual and small-group intervention.
• Experience supporting pupils with SEND or low attainment.

Responsibilities

• Lead targeted literacy and numeracy interventions for pupils.
• Assess pupils' needs, deliver and adapt intervention programmes.
• Monitor progress and provide clear evidence of impact.
• Collaborate with SENDCo and English/Mathematics teams.

Skills

Literacy interventions

Numeracy interventions

Strong communication

Assessment & progress tracking

Education

GCSE English & Maths (C/4+)

Job description

Higher Level Teaching Assistant: Literacy and Numeracy

What skills and experience we're looking for

We are seeking an exceptional Higher Level Teaching Assistant or someone with the relevant skills and experience willing to work towards the qualification; primarily to lead targeted literacy and numeracy intervention for pupils who enter secondary school below age-related expectations.

Working closely with our SENDCo and English and mathematics teams, the successful candidate will deliver structured individual and small-group intervention, helping pupils develop the fundamental literacy and numeracy skills required to access the secondary curriculum.

This is a specialist intervention role requiring considerably more than conventional classroom support. The successful candidate will help assess pupils' needs, deliver and adapt intervention programmes, monitor progress and provide clear evidence of impact.

We are particularly interested in applicants who have experience of working with pupils with low prior attainment and/or SEND and who can demonstrate strong literacy and numeracy skills.

The successful applicant will:

• hold HLTA status or have equivalent relevant experience
• have GCSE English and Mathematics at Grade C/4 or above, or equivalent
• have experience of delivering individual and small-group intervention
• have experience supporting pupils with SEND and/or low prior attainment
• demonstrate excellent communication and relationship-building skills
• be confident in assessing, monitoring and recording pupil progress
• be committed to improving outcomes for pupils who face barriers to learning

The role provides an excellent opportunity for an experienced TA or HLTA to take significant responsibility for an important area of the school's SEND and inclusion provision.

What the school offers its staff

Thank you for your interest in joining The Purbeck School.

I may be a little biased, but I genuinely believe The Purbeck School is a wonderful place to work. We are proud to be a school where students achieve highly, develop confidence and character, and leave with both excellent qualifications and a strong set of values rooted in our core principles of kindness, aspiration and perseverance. Our recent GCSE and A Level outcomes placed us amongst the top-performing schools nationally, reflecting the dedication of both our staff and students.

We are seeking an exceptional Higher Level Teaching Assistant, or someone willing to work towards the qualification, to play a key role within our SEND and Inclusion provision. Working closely with our SENDCo and English and Mathematics departments, you will lead targeted literacy and numeracy interventions, helping students develop the skills and confidence needed to access the wider curriculum and achieve their potential.

The SEND team is highly supportive and committed to continuous improvement. We place professional development at the heart of what we do and are proud that outcomes for our students with SEND consistently exceed national averages.

This is an exciting time to join the department. In September 2025, we opened our new Complex Communication Base following significant investment and a complete refurbishment of the SEND block, further enhancing the support and facilities available to students.

Should you wish to visit the school or discuss the role, please contact our SENDCo, who will be happy to help.

Yours sincerely,

Mr Adam Darley

Commitment to safeguarding

The Purbeck School values the diversity of our workforce and welcomes applications from all members of the community. We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and this is a commitment we expect all staff and volunteers to share. The successful candidate will be required to have a Disclosure and Barring Service check in line with the Government safer recruitment guidelines.