HLTA / Trainee / Experienced Support Staff

Shorefields; Chelmsford; On-site; GBP 24,000 - 28,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading independent special needs school is seeking a Higher Level Teaching Assistant to support vulnerable pupils with SEND. The role involves delivering tailored academic support and leading on subjects while working within a compassionate team. Full training is provided for candidates looking to develop their careers in special educational needs. The position offers generous benefits such as a full pension and ample non-contact time.

Benefits

Full pension

Private health benefits scheme

10 Term-time 'wellbeing days'

Annual pay rises

13 INSET days provided PA

24/7 Wellbeing support

Generous budgets for resources

Qualifications

• Substantial recent school-based experience supporting and teaching pupils with SEND.
• Qualification in at least GCSE or equivalent in Maths and English.
• Welcomes experienced Learning Support Assistants to apply.

Responsibilities

• Delivering a tailor-made academic curriculum for small groups.
• Leading on subject area while supporting therapeutic curriculum.
• Accompanying children to local activities and using personal vehicle.

Skills

Flexibility

Compassion

SEND Teaching

Education

GCSE in Maths and English

Job description

HLTA / Trainee / Experienced Support Staff

Position Start Date: 01/09/2025 Contract Type: Full-time Contract Term: Permanent

Application Close: 15/06/2025 Midnight Date of Interviews: Applications will be shortlisted upon receipt

-Full pension
-Private health benefits scheme
-10 Term-time 'wellbeing days' tagged onto beginning / ends of terms
-Annual pay rises (since we are independent of National School pay scales)
-Stability and job security
-Extremely generous 13 INSET days provided PA
-Supportive, empathic, professional team to work with
-Therapeutic approach to pupil behaviour and SEND provision
-Small school, maximising professional nurturing of children in accordance with updated Psychological research
-Substantial non-contact time each week
-Additional time for staff members' own individual CPD programme
-Protected lunch break each day in our quiet, staff retreat area
-24/7 Wellbeing support from the Employee Assistance Programme (including free face to face counselling and supervision sessions if desired)
-Generous budgets for resources for subject delivery, each child has a personal ICT and SEND budget
-Schemes of work and resources provided
-Staff 'thank you' events throughout the year to show our appreciation to you
-Refreshments provided throughout every day

-We are inspected by the Independent Schools Inspectorate rather than Ofsted!

Higher Level Teaching Assistant -36.5 hours per week (daily unpaid 30 mins lunch break)
Directed hours: Mondays 8.30 - 5.30
Tuesdays to Fridays 8.30 - 4.00
5 days per week, term time only.
Required September 2025

We are looking for a positive, flexible, compassionate person to join our friendly team at this independent special school for 13 pupils, expanding to 18, which opened in September 2019. We have exciting opportunities for applicants who are able to offer professional SEND teaching and therapeutic support to vulnerable pupils and wish to continually develop their own skills and experience in SEND.
Together with the rest of the teaching and support staff team, you will be delivering a tailor-made academic curriculum for a small group of 5-6 pupils, and lead on one subject area, with support from the class teacher and Curriculum Lead. With training, you will lead on delivering our therapeutic curriculum, supporting children with low-level dysregulation and mental health needs. Lessons are at the school and activities are planned around the local area, using specialist support teams for extra-curricular activities.
Together as a staff team, you will be required to transport and accompany children to local activities. Ownership and use of a car full time, as well as a full driving license, is therefore essential. Pupils are aged between 6 and 17 years of age, main cohort usually between 10 and 17 years.

The successful applicant will need to have substantial recent school-based experience including supporting and teaching pupils with SEND using an evidence-based, therapeutic approach. A qualification in at least GCSE or equivalent in Maths and English is an essential requirement for this post. We also welcome applications from highly experienced Learning Support Assistants who desire to progress to Higher Level Teaching Assistant status but have not yet achieved HLTA status. Full financial support and training will be given throughout the duration of the course.

Candidates are welcome to visit the school prior to making their application, although please note, we will shortlist and interview as soon as applications are received rather than waiting for the closing date; therefore, we would encourage applicants to applyas soon as possible!
If you would like a tour, please contact the Headteacher to arrange this; [e-mail].

The school is committed to safeguarding its pupils and as such, a DBS check and online checks, such as social media checks, will be conducted, along with references sought prior to appointment.

Information about the School

Clarity Independent School is a small special needs school for pupils with complex profiles of learning and SEND. We take pupils aged between 6 and 17 years and all pupils are referred to the school by the Statutory Assessment team of several Local Authorities around the Essex and surrounding areas. We have 13 places.

All appointments are subject to safer recruitment requirements to ensure the safeguarding of children and young people. All positions will involve appropriate checks and clearances.

Documents

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