Teaching Assistant – HLTA/Level 4 - Red Hall Primary School

North East Combined Authority; Tees Valley; Remote; GBP 37,000 - 39,000; Full time

Job summary

STRIVE is part of Red Hall Primary School and supports primary-aged children from across Darlington with EHCPs focused on social, emotional, and mental health needs. The role involves delivering targeted support and shaping interventions to help pupils develop resilience and confidence.

You will work closely with a skilled Inclusion Lead and teaching staff, providing specialized HLTA/Level 4 support within STRIVE and across the main school as needed.

Qualifications

• Experience supporting children with SEMH and complex needs.
• Calm, reflective practitioner with warm yet clear expectations.
• Ability to respond empathetically to distressed behaviour.

Responsibilities

• Provide individual and small-group support for pupils from Key Stages 1–2 and be flexible to work across both.
• Deliver targeted interventions supporting emotional regulation, resilience, social skills, Phonics, English and Maths.
• Adapt learning activities so children with complex needs can participate and make progress.
• Use trauma-informed, relational approaches to support behaviour, wellbeing and engagement.
• Build trusting partnerships with families, colleagues and other professionals.

Skills

SEMH support

Trauma-informed practice

Phonics support

English & Maths interventions

Relationship building

Education

HLTA/Level 4 qualification

Job description

Red Hall Primary School and STRIVE

Headingley Crescent

Darlington

Co Durham

DL1 2ST

Executive Head Teacher: Ms J Davidson

Tel: [phone]

www.redhallprimary.org.uk

Email: [e-mail]

Teaching Assistant – HLTA/Level 4

Strive Primary SEMH Unit

Salary: (Band 9, SCP 24 – 27)

FTE Salary: £36,581 - £39,481

Actual salary £33,767.08 - £36,443.08 - 37 hours per week, term time only (47 weeks + 5 PD Days)

Required to commence as soon as possible.

At STRIVE, the progress that matters can begin with a trusting relationship: a child asking for help, finding the words to express a feeling or having the confidence to try again.

We are looking for an enthusiastic, creative and compassionate Higher Level Teaching Assistant who recognises these moments and can help children build on them.

About STRIVE

STRIVE is part of Red Hall Primary School and supports primary-aged children from across Darlington who have Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCP) with social, emotional and mental health needs as their primary identified need.

Our children need adults who are curious about what lies behind behaviour, remain calm when situations become difficult and keep believing in their potential. Through consistent routines, positive relationships and learning adapted to individual needs, you will help pupils feel that they belong and experience success in school.

Your role

• Working closely with the school’s Inclusion Lead, teachers and other school colleagues, you will:
• Provide individual and small-group support for pupils from Key Stages 1 – Key Stage 2 and must have the flexibility to work in both.
• Deliver targeted interventions supporting emotional regulation, resilience, social skills, Phonics, English and Maths.
• Adapt learning activities so children with complex needs can participate and make progress.
• Use trauma-informed, relational approaches to support behaviour, wellbeing and engagement.
• Build trusting partnerships with families, colleagues and other professionals.

You will work predominantly within STRIVE, with flexibility to support pupils across mainstream Red Hall Primary School as required.

Who we are looking for

You will bring experience of supporting children with SEMH and additional needs, alongside an understanding of how trauma, adverse childhood experiences and attachment difficulties can affect learning and behaviour.

You will be a calm, reflective and well-organised practitioner who combines warmth with clear, consistent expectations. You will understand that behaviour is a form of communication and respond with empathy, professional judgement and a determination to help children succeed.

Above all, you will value each child as an individual and recognise the difference that a patient, dependable adult can make.

Why join us?

This is an opportunity to make a lasting contribution to children’s lives as part of a specialist provision within a primary school community. You will work alongside colleagues to create a safe, inclusive environment where emotional wellbeing and learning go hand in hand.

The role offers scope to use your creativity, contribute your experience and help children take meaningful steps towards greater confidence and independence.

Come and meet us

We warmly welcome visits to see our provision and have an informal conversation with the Headteacher/Teacher in Charge, please contact the school office to arrange a convenient time.

Closing date: Thursday 19th November, 2026 – 12pm

Interview date: Monday 23rd November, 2026

Red Hall Primary School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and expects all staff to share this commitment. The post is subject to a successful DBS clearance (certificate of disclosure from the Disclosure and Barring service) and pre-employment checks will be undertaken before an appointment is confirmed.