Higher Level Teaching Assistant (HLTA)

Sutton, South London | Specialist All-Age SEN School | Full-Time | Long-Term
£150 - £180 per day | Immediate or September Start

About the Role

A specialist SEN school in Sutton is looking to appoint an experienced and committed Higher Level Teaching Assistant (HLTA) to join its team on a full-time, long-term basis.

This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced Teaching Assistant or existing HLTA who is ready to take on greater classroom responsibility within a supportive specialist environment.

The school supports pupils across Primary and Secondary phases with a broad range of additional needs, including Autism Spectrum Condition (ASC), Speech, Language and Communication Needs (SLCN), Moderate Learning Difficulties (MLD), SEMH and more complex learning needs.

Staff work collaboratively to provide a highly personalised and inclusive curriculum, with a strong focus on communication, independence, emotional regulation and meaningful pupil progress.

Working closely with teachers, therapists and senior leaders, you will play a key role in delivering learning, leading interventions and providing classroom cover where required.

Key Responsibilities

• Deliver high-quality learning activities for individuals, small groups and whole classes.
• Provide whole-class cover during teacher absence or PPA, where appropriate.
• Support teachers with planning, preparation, assessment and classroom organisation.
• Deliver targeted interventions across literacy, numeracy, communication, independence and social development.
• Adapt activities around individual pupil needs and EHCP outcomes.
• Support pupils with Autism, communication difficulties, sensory differences and additional learning needs.
• Promote emotional regulation, resilience, independence and positive engagement with learning.
• Work alongside Speech and Language Therapists, Occupational Therapists and other specialist professionals.
• Implement communication, sensory and therapeutic strategies consistently throughout the school day.
• Monitor and record pupil progress and provide feedback to teaching staff.
• Contribute to pupil reviews, target setting and support plans.
• Lead and model effective classroom practice for Teaching Assistants.
• Support the effective deployment of classroom support staff.
• Promote positive behaviour through calm, consistent and individualised approaches.
• Maintain high standards of safeguarding, inclusion and pupil wellbeing.
• Contribute to enrichment activities and the wider life of the school.

We Are Looking For

• Previous experience supporting children or young people with Special Educational Needs.
• Strong classroom experience and the confidence to take increased responsibility for learning.
• Experience delivering structured interventions and supporting pupils with increasing independence.
• Confidence leading small groups and whole-class activities.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• A strong understanding of differentiated and personalised learning.
• The ability to build positive relationships with pupils, colleagues and families.
• A calm, patient and resilient approach when supporting complex needs.
• Strong safeguarding awareness and a commitment to positive outcomes for every pupil.

Desirable Experience

• HLTA statusor substantial experience operating at HLTA level.
• Experience supporting pupils with Autism, SEMH, SLCN or MLD.
• Knowledge of communication approaches such as PECS, Makaton, AAC or visual supports.
• Experience with sensory regulation, positive behaviour support or trauma-informed approaches.
• Previous experience working alongside therapists or multidisciplinary teams.

What the School Offers

• £150 - £180 per day, depending on experience.
• Full-time, long-term opportunity with potential for progression.
• Strong SEN-specific training and professional development.
• Supportive senior leadership and experienced classroom teams.
• Opportunities to work alongside therapists and specialist practitioners.
• Clear routes into teaching, pastoral or wider leadership roles.
• Well-resourced specialist learning environments.
• A collaborative team focused on delivering meaningful outcomes for children and young people with additional needs.

This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced SEN practitioner who wants to step beyond a traditional Teaching Assistant position and take on greater responsibility for teaching, interventions and classroom leadership.

£150 - £180 per day | Full-Time | Long-Term | Sutton, South London

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