What skills and experience we're looking for
Willowdown Primary School is looking for an experienced Higher Level Teaching Assistant to work initially with a class of children in Keystage one alongside the class teacher. You will work closely with the class teacher to assist a group of children in the class to manage their emotions and learning behaviours. We are looking for someone who has strong behaviour management skills and is great at adapting to the needs of children. The ideal candidate will excel at forming relationships with children and using these relationships to ensure children have rewarding learning experiences.
We are looking for a motivated and inspirational HLTA who will:
• Have a good standard of education (5 x GCSE’s – English and Maths C or above) and attainment of the Higher-Level Teaching Assistant standards or qualified teaching status.
• Be a qualified first aider
• Have experience of applying a range of strategies to support pupils in the classroom with the minimum of supervision.
• Has the ability to supervise a group of pupils
• Be able to plan and implement effective actions for pupils at risk of underachieving
• Have experience of contributing to pupil reviews and reports
• Demonstrate a passion for creating a supportive and inclusive environment for all members of our school community.
• Aligns with our trust-wide values by bringing a positive, collaborative approach to their work and a willingness to continuously develop professionally.
What the school offers its staff
• Professional Growth: Continuous Professional Development (CPD), inset days, rotation and secondment opportunities, and leadership succession programmes.
• Wellbeing Support: Initiatives like ‘Wellbeing Moments,’ flexible working arrangements, and access to our Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) for mental health support.
• Comprehensive Benefits: Generous defined pension schemes, Health Cash-back Plan (covering dentist, physiotherapy appointments etc.), and multiple retail discount schemes.
• Sustainability Commitment: Reducing our carbon footprint through our Climate and Nature initiatives across all schools.
• Inclusive Culture: A collaborative environment where diversity is celebrated, helping staff bring their best selves to work and thrive in their roles.
Commitment to safeguarding
Our organisation is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. We expect all staff, volunteers and trustees to share this commitment. Our recruitment process follows the keeping children safe in education guidance. Offers of employment may be subject to the following checks (where relevant): childcare disqualification Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) medical online and social media prohibition from teaching right to work satisfactory references suitability to work with children You must tell us about any unspent conviction, cautions, reprimands or warnings under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975.