We are seeking an INDIGO Higher Level Teaching Assistant to join the INDIGO Resource Base at Maiden Erlegh School, supporting students with SEN and additional learning needs. The role will complement the professional work of teachers by taking responsibility for agreed learning activities under an agreed system of supervision. You will support, consolidate and develop students' learning, helping them to access the curriculum, build confidence and independence, and make progress in line with their individual needs and targets. Working within the INDIGO Resource Base, you will work closely with teachers, the SENCO, SEND Manager and other colleagues to support students with additional needs. You will help implement agreed support strategies, deliver targeted interventions and contribute to an inclusive learning environment in which students can participate fully and make progress.
- Work closely with teachers to understand lesson objectives, planned activities and individual student support needs.
- Support individual students and small groups within the INDIGO Resource Base and wider school environment.
- Help students with SEN and additional learning needs to access learning, understand instructions and develop greater independence.
- Check student understanding during lessons and provide appropriate support, including visual and verbal prompts where required.
- Encourage engagement, participation, confidence, resilience and pride in learning.
- Provide constructive feedback to students to support improvement and reflection.
- Observe student engagement and progress and provide relevant feedback to teachers and SEND colleagues.
- Support positive behaviour and reinforce agreed expectations, routines and support strategies.
- Deliver targeted interventions for students with SEND or additional learning needs.
- Prepare and organise appropriate learning resources and materials.
- Lead or support small intervention groups as directed by the SENCO or SEND Manager.
- Support students in examinations or assessments as a reader, scribe or prompt where directed.
- Contribute to a positive, inclusive and respectful environment across INDIGO and the wider school. Working for our Trust means contributing to something larger by supporting the education and life chances of children and young people every day. You will have HLTA status or an equivalent qualification and a good knowledge and understanding of the National Curriculum and effective classroom practice. You will have experience of supporting learning for individuals, groups and whole classes and be able to adapt learning activities to meet differing student needs, including SEND.
- You will also:
- Have excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
- Build positive professional relationships with students, colleagues, parents and external agencies.
- Be able to adapt learning activities and support approaches to meet individual needs.
- Plan, organise and prioritise learning activities and workload effectively.
- Work independently and use initiative within agreed guidance.
- Demonstrate a strong commitment to high standards of teaching, learning and inclusion.
- Work effectively as part of a team.
- Have good IT skills, including Microsoft Office applications.
- Maintain confidentiality at all times.
- Take a proactive and flexible approach to your work.
- Be committed to ongoing professional learning and development.
- Be able to provide guidance and support to Teaching Assistants and other support colleagues where required.
- Model excellent professional practice and work collaboratively with colleagues supporting students with SEN.
Maiden Erlegh Trust is a growing community of schools across Berkshire and Oxfordshire, working together to deliver the best possible education for every child and young person. With around 800 staff and 5000 students across nine schools, including primary, secondary, special, and alternative provision, we are proud of the diversity that shapes our expertise. We Aim High, Be Inclusive, and Work Together. These values drive our focus on high-quality education for all, through collaboration, inclusion, and continuous improvement. Through the Maiden Erlegh Institute, colleagues access high-quality professional learning at every stage of their career, supported by mentoring, leadership opportunities, and our annual MET Staff Conference-a day that unites our whole team in sharing best practice and learning. Joining our Trust means being part of a community that invests in people and values expertise; it is about playing a direct role in shaping the lives and outcomes of young people. You can learn more about working with us and hear from colleagues across our Trust. Maiden Erlegh Trust is an equal opportunities employer and is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. The successful candidate will be subject to an enhanced DBS check and satisfactory references.
Maiden Erlegh School is a highly successful comprehensive school for students aged 11-18, located in Lower Earley, near Reading. Relationships between students and staff are extremely positive, and students are keen, curious, respectful and ambitious. Academic outcomes continue to improve year on year, with the school placing in the top 50 schools nationally for Progress 8, alongside a thriving sixth form. Staff are dedicated professionals who go the extra mile to support students to achieve their best. The school offers strong professional development opportunities and a warm, supportive welcome to new colleagues.
Staff wellbeing and professional development are central to how we work. Colleagues benefit from a wide range of opportunities and schemes, including: Pension Scheme - Generous employer contributions through the Teachers' Pension Scheme or Local Government Pension Scheme Annual Leave - Generous entitlement, increasing with length of service ME Day - One additional day's leave each year for a significant personal event Professional Development - Extensive CPD through the Maiden Erlegh Institute, annual Trust Conference and apprenticeship opportunities Hybrid Working - Flexible working arrangements for eligible roles Perkbox - Discounts, wellbeing resources and monthly perk points Wellbeing and Health - Free flu vaccinations and eye tests (where eligible) Employee Assistance Programme - 24/7 support and discount schemes