Higher Level Teaching Assistant - Southill Primary School

Dorset Council; Weymouth; Hybrid; GBP 18,000 - 24,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Warm community

Professional development

Make a difference

Supportive team

Job summary

Southill Primary School is seeking a committed Higher Level Teaching Assistant (HLTA) to join our Team Southill on a permanent basis for 30 hours per week.

This role is primarily classroom-based, working with teachers, other TAs and pupils to positively impact teaching and learning, including possible class cover and supporting planning, preparation and assessment.

Qualifications

• Experience as a teaching assistant or HLTA.
• Evidence of ability to lead learning with individuals and groups.
• Ability to support planning, preparation and assessment (PPA).
• Commitment to inclusion and safeguarding of children.

Responsibilities

• Support learning across the school, in collaboration with teachers and support staff.
• Lead learning for individuals, small groups and whole classes.
• Provide class cover where needed and support planning and assessment.

Skills

Classroom support

Behaviour management

Lead learning

PPA support

Education

English & Maths Level 2

Job description

About the role

Higher Level Teaching Assistant (HLTA)XS 10.8

Join Team Southill

Southill Primary School is looking for an enthusiastic, skilled and caring Higher Level Teaching Assistant (HLTA) to join our team on a permanent basis for 30 hours per week.

We are a welcoming and inclusive school where we belong. We want every child to leave Southill happy, confident and prepared for the next stage of their lives, and our support staff play a vital part in making this happen.

This is primarily a classroom-based role, working closely with teachers, teaching assistants and pupils to make a positive impact on teaching and learning.

The successful candidate will support learning across the school and will be confident working with individuals, groups and whole classes. The role may include providing class cover and supporting teachers' planning, preparation and assessment (PPA) time, under the direction and of a qualified teacher.

We are looking for someone who:

• - has high expectations for all children and is committed to helping them succeed;
• - is an experienced and effective teaching assistant with the knowledge and skills required to work at HLTA level;
• - can confidently lead learning with individuals, groups and whole classes;
• - can contribute to planning, preparation, assessment and feedback;
• - understands how to adapt learning to meet a range of needs;
• - can establish positive relationships and promote excellent behaviour for learning;
• - is flexible, organised and able to use their initiative;
• - works well as part of a team and communicates effectively with colleagues, pupils and families;
• - is committed to inclusion and to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children; and
• - is keen to continue developing professionally.

Applicants should have English/literacy and mathematics/numeracy qualifications equivalent to at least Level 2. Please see the attached Higher Level Teaching Assistant job description for full details of the qualifications, knowledge and experience required for the post.

Why Southill?

You will be joining a friendly and committed team with a shared determination to give our children the best possible education. We value positive relationships, teamwork and the contribution every member of staff makes to school life.

We can offer:

• - a warm, supportive and welcoming school community;
• - wonderful children who are keen to learn;
• - a committed and collaborative staff team;
• - opportunities for professional development;
• - a varied and rewarding role with the opportunity to make a genuine difference to children's learning and development; and
• - a school with a clear vision for its future.

Closing date: Sunday 13 September 2026

Interview date: Thursday 17 September 2026

Start date: As soon as possible

Further Information

Come and meet us

Visits to the school are warmly welcomed and encouraged.

We would be delighted to show prospective applicants around Southill and give you the opportunity to meet us and find out more about the school and the role.

Please contact the school office to arrange a visit or if you would like an informal conversation about the position.

Safeguarding

Southill Primary School is committed to equality of opportunity and welcomes applications from all suitably qualified candidates. Come and join Team Southill and help our children become happy, confident and prepared for their futures.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people; this is a commitment which 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 Governments safer recruitment guidelines.

The pro rata salary shown is based on the number of hours and weeks worked and includes appropriate paid annual leave and bank holiday entitlements.

The salary quoted is the annual salary for the position at the time of advert. The salary will be paid in equal monthly instalments and will be adjusted at the start of employment and again if leaving part way through the school year to ensure the correct salary is received for the work completed in an academic year.

This role is UK based and your Right to Work will need to be established as part of the appointment process.

This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (ROA) 1974. The amendments to the ROA 1974 (Exceptions Order 1975, (2013 and 2020)) provide that when applying for certain jobs and activities, certain spent convictions and cautions are ‘protected’, so they do not need to be disclosed to employers, and if they are disclosed, employers cannot take them into account. The MOJ’s guidance on the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and the Exceptions Order 1975, provides information about which convictions must be declared during job applications and related exceptions and further information about filtering offences can be found in the DBS filtering guide.

Keeping Children Safe in Education Southill Primary School will conduct online searches of shortlisted candidates. This check will be part of a safeguarding check, and the search will purely be based on whether an individual is suitable to work with children. All aspects of social media and internet searches will be conducted. As care must be taken to avoid unconscious bias and any risk of discrimination, a person who will not on the appointment panel will conduct the searches and will only share information if and when findings are relevant and of concern.