Special Unit High Level Teaching Assistant

We are looking for an experienced HLTA for our school to work in our Special Provision for children with SEMH.

The working hours are up to 37.5 hours per week, working Monday to Friday 8.00am to between 4pm, 39 weeks per year.

The successful candidate must have experience of working with SEN children. They will be able to work effectively as a member of the team, have excellent interpersonal skills and consistently support the school values and approaches to a high standard.

About us

Located on the Eastern district of Northampton, Blackthorn is a one-form entry primary school with a nursery. In addition, Blackthorn Primary is very proud to run a Specialist Unit for children with an EHCP identifying a need for support with SEMH. Our school is driven by a passion to provide educational excellence for the children in our community.

We have been award 'Good' from Ofsted inspection in September 2022.

The children at Blackthorn are polite, respectful and keen to learn. Our team of dedicated staff believe that children achieve their best in a safe, secure and happy school community and we work hard to make sure this is the case for our learners every day. We strongly believe that good relationships between people in our school community are essential in securing success for your child, as such, an effective partnership between home and school will benefit your child’s learning.

At Blackthorn, we strongly believe in supporting every individual, children and staff, to develop and be supported in their aspirations. Our staff culture is of enabling everyone to have opportunities to grow through support and we have a proven track record of developing both early career teachers and leaders at all levels to achieve their goals. We are proud to be a member of Northampton Primary Academy Trust (NPAT) with whom we work closely to provide opportunities for our children to broaden and enrich their time at primary school through the arts, sport and wider curriculum.

The ideal candidate will embody the NPAT values and will:

• Be passionate about supporting children to achieve their best in everything that they do.
• Be committed to the principles of equality, diversity and inclusion.
• Establish positive and supportive relationships with children.
• Be patient, calm and resilient with a positive attitude and a sense of humour.

Our work environment includes:

• Modern office setting
• Flexible working hours
• On-the-job training
• Safe work environment
• Nursery provision from 3 years old, between 8.30am and 3.15pm, term time only

Areas of Responsibility and Key Tasks

Purpose of job:

Planning, Teaching and Class Management:

• Regularly teach and deliver lessons, under the direction of the Headteacher, across the specialist provision at the school when cover is required.
• When not covering lessons, work proactively as part of a team and assist the class teacher to support individual and small groups of children (in the SU) in the curriculum to accelerate their learning
• Assist in the personal, social and emotional development of children through the promotion of the school’s values and for individuals through the implementation of learning plans, behaviour plans and/or personal care plans to ensure all children are well cared for in accordance with the school’s policies and high expectations.
• To promote the development of reading, writing and maths, including providing additional support to children with special needs or to bilingual learners, by working alongside the class teacher.
• Be aware of and support school policies and procedures.
• Complete marking and assessment as required.
• Set high expectations for pupils’ behaviour.
• Establish a safe, supportive and stimulating learning environment.
• Use a wide range of teaching methods to sustain the momentum of pupils’ work and engage all pupils, ensuring delivery of a differentiated learning experience related to the pupils’ individual needs.
• Under the guidance of the Inclusion Lead and class teacher, run interventions as set out by professional or specialist support staff involved in the children’s education. These may involve social workers, health visitors, language support staff, speech therapists, educational psychologists and physiotherapists.
• Build and maintain positive and constructive working relationships with pupils, parents, carers and colleagues to maximise pupils’ development and maintain the overall ethos of the school.

Monitoring, Assessment, Recording, Reporting:

• To observe and monitor pupils’ progress and adapt agreed approaches to their particular needs.
• Complete children’s records and aid in the evaluation and setting of new targets alongside the class teacher and Inclusion Lead.
• Provide verbal and written feedback on lesson content, children’s responses to learning activities and pupil behaviour, to teachers and children.
• Report any concerns regarding children’s welfare or education, to the class teacher.
• Be aware of safeguarding responsibilities, referring such matters to the appropriate designated person for further action.

Other Professional Requirements:

• To support children’s learning and to share in the care and wellbeing of the children throughout the school.
• To carry out specific administrative/ procedural tasks to support the class teacher.
• To provide support and assistance for children’s pastoral needs (e.g. dressing, going to the toilet, the changing of nappies or the administration of an Epipen)
• To promote the school’s values and ethos.
• Be aware of and support school policies and procedures.
• Maintain confidentiality at all times.
• Assist and attend with school enrichment activities e.g. trips, visits, parents’ evenings, concerts and festivals
• Attend appropriate staff meetings and training days/events as requested.
• Fulfil all roles and responsibilities expected in the staff handbook, i.e. rota basis break duties/ lunch duties and maintain high levels of professional conduct at all times.

HLTA, working in the Specialist Provision - Person Specification

Qualifications & Experience

Essential

• Has met the professional standards/qualification for HLTA
• Good basic education to GCSE level in English and maths, equivalent to at least a Level 2 of the National Qualifications FrameworkGood basic education to GCSE level in maths and English or equivalent.

Desirable

• A willingness to undertake further training relevant to fulfilling the role.

Teaching & Learning

Essential

• Experience of working with children in either EYFS, KS1 or KS2 (or all phases).
• Previous experience of working as a teaching assistant/cover supervisor and leading whole class teaching and learning activities.
• Experience of working with classes or individuals with an EHCP.

Desirable

• Previous experience of working as a HLTA
• Knowledge and experience of teaching phonics

Knowledge and Understanding

Essential

• Awareness of how children develop;
• behaviour-management strategies;
• how to support children in English and maths;
• the different ways in which children learn and how to motivate them.
• Ability to organise and implement learning
• Knowledge of how to differentiate the curriculum to meet the needs of all learners.
• Teach new concepts as agreed with the class teacher;
• Supervise children and be a positive role model;
• Encourage good social skills. Work with guidance, but under limited supervision;
• Liaise and communicate effectively with others and maintain confidentiality at all times;
• Demonstrate good organisational skills;
• Get involved in professional development and attend courses; Display work effectively and make and maintain basic teaching resources.

Able to:

• Contribute to a range of teaching, learning and pastoral activities;
• Work with an individual or group of children, also work as a member of a term;
• Explain tasks simply and clearly.
• Reinforce teaching points during teacher input;

Technology

Essential

• Competent use of technology for planning and assessment.

Desirable

• Able to use Office 365.
• Up-to-date Physical Intervention training – Training and experience of physical intervention philosophy for de-escalation and how to support children.

Parents and Community

Essential

• Understanding of the role played by parents and the community as a whole in raising standards.
• Experience of working directly with parents and others to raise standards and involvement with the wider and local community.
• Ability to understand the importance of confidentiality and high-professional standards.

Desirable

• Experience of running parent groups.

Relationships

Essential

Ability to establish and develop effective relationships within the school community, including:

• Children
• Teaching Colleagues
• Support Staff
• Governors/Trust Directors
• Parents

Desirable

Ability to manage difficult conversations and experience of working cohesively and contributing towards building a team ethos.

Interpersonal and communication skills

Essential

• Ability to communicate effectively in writing and orally.
• Prompt completer of tasks.
• Flexible and approachable.
• Resilient under pressure.
• Able to deal sensitively with people and resolve conflicts.
• Positive and energetic approach to work.

Personal

Essential

• Proactive in areas of responsibility with an awareness of whole school issues;
• A willingness to take on appropriate delegated tasks relevant to the post;
• Demonstration of a growth mindset;
• Ability to show a committed, professional and loyal attitude to the school, openly modelling its aims and values;
• An ability to use and understand discretion, confidentiality and professionalism;
• An ability to learn from mistakes and take advice.

Education Philosophy

Essential

High expectations for all learners and a desire to value every child.

This job description is a broad overview of the post. It is not an exhaustive list of all possible duties, and it is recognised that jobs change and evolve over time. Consequently, this is not a contractual document and the post holder will be required to carry out any other duties that are necessary to fulfil the purpose of the job.

Closing date: 12noon, Monday 2 November 2026.

Interview date: Week commencing 2 November 2026.

Start Date: A mutually agreeable date

Visits to the school:

We warmly welcome and recommend visits to the school and spend some time in our Special Provision where there will be the opportunity to discuss the role further with the Head of Specialist Provision and Assitant Headteacher or our Head of School. Please contact Sam Chambers, Office Manager on 01604 407254 or via email at [email protected] to book a visit.

Job Types: Full-time, Permanent

Pay: £14.36-£15.31 per hour

Benefits:

• Childcare
• Company pension
• Free parking
• On-site parking
• Sick pay

Application question(s):

• Do you have a level 4 teaching assistant (HLTA) qualification (or equivalent)

Education:

• GCSE or equivalent (preferred)

Experience:

• working with SEN children: 1 year (preferred)

Licence/Certification:

• First Aid Certification (preferred)

Work Location: In person