Higher Level Teaching Assistant

Location: Pathways School, New Road, Dagenham RM9 6PH 

Contract type: Permanent, full-time. 

Salary: Grade 6 point 18 

Hours: 35 hrs per week. 39 week per year 

Salary: £29,922.00 - £30,819.00 Annually (Actual)

Closing Date: 12:00pm, 6 March 2026

Positions Available: 2

Interview Date: 19 March 2026

Start Date: 13 April 2026

Become a specialist practitioner at Pathways School

Are you ready to make a real difference in the lives of children with Social, Emotional, and Mental Health (SEMH) needs? We're looking for a passionate and dedicated individual to join our sector-leading team. As part of our journey as SEMH specialists, you'll have the unique opportunity to receive specialised training tailored to supporting these children, helping them to thrive both academically and personally. If you're committed to being a part of a supportive and forward-thinking team, we want to hear from you.

Pathways School is a specialist Social, Emotional and Mental Health school from Years 3 to 11. Pupils receive a sector leading education with access to the full national curriculum made accessible through the delivery of specialist adaptations. If you have an interest in learning how to lead emotional literacy, become a nurture practitioner, a reading specialist or support with numeracy intervention, then we’d be interested in your application.

Opportunities to progress

Many of our HLTAs have progressed within the school and outside the school on a range of career paths such as behavior mentor, Designated Safeguarding Lead, licenced thrive practitioner, teacher training. A career at Pathways school is all about learning sector leading habits and developing the very best practice in an inclusive setting.

The HLTA role will involve leading the teaching and learning for whole classes in the absence of the class teacher and for specific group and individual interventions. The successful candidate will be responsible for the planning of learning opportunities and tasks when needed, including the marking and assessment of pupils’ learning. The HLTA will be expected to lead on aspects of the wider support worker team.

We are looking for someone who:

• Has experience working to support children in an educational setting or a recent graduate with an interest in social science (including psychology) and is looking to begin a career in the education or health sector 

• Has experience of successfully leading group and individual programmes and interventions that impact on pupil learning.  

• Uses positive behaviour management – reinforcing the language of choices, pupils being responsible for their choices and consistently applies agreed systems/strategies across a whole school level 

• Ensures the safety and learning of all pupils within the class/ group.  

• Has a good knowledge of the primary and secondary curriculums. 

• Has an understanding of techniques to assess pupil learning and how to use this information to plan/identify next steps in learning 

• Is able to plan sessions around agreed learning objectives based on the needs of the individuals 

• Establishes good relationships with pupils and staff

• Can use their own initiative (within a team and individually) and work flexibly- based on the needs of the pupils at Pathways 

• Is committed to continuing professional development and is willing to undertake relevant training for this post 

• Is resilient and committed to the challenges of working with pupils with SEMH and SEND needs.  

Pathways School and Eko Trust can offer:

• Accredited training such as becoming a licenced Thrive practitioner or a Nurture UK practitioner 

• Supportive and friendly staff who work together as a team 

• Forward-thinking approaches to learning, professional development, and school improvement 

• Continuous professional development & learning opportunities 

• Employee benefits scheme offering great discounts from a range of brands - Salary sacrifice schemes such as Cycle to Work  

• Employee Assistance Programme offering 24/7 access to a confidential employee helpline staffed by trained counsellors 

• Access to private GP services, counselling, financial wellbeing advice, physiotherapy, and other specialist services  

• Family-friendly policies and options for flexible working  

• A commitment to your career aspirations and professional development - A clear vision for the future and strong values of school values 

Eko Trust

Eko Trust is a family of good and outstanding schools situated across London and Suffolk. Collaborating seamlessly, we are dedicated to cultivating a supportive environment where our collective goal is to constantly learn and innovate, striving to deliver unparalleled educational outcomes for the children under our care. If you're passionate about making a meaningful impact in education and thrive in a collaborative, progressive atmosphere, this is the perfect opportunity to contribute to a community committed to excellence.