Higher Level Teaching Assistant (HLTA)

Higher Level Teaching Assistant (HLTA)

Job Title: Higher Level Teaching Assistant (HLTA)

Salary: Grade 6 SCP 15 - 23 (£25,939 - £29,749)

Responsible to: Assistant Headteacher / SENDCo

Responsible for: Teaching Assistants / Students with SEND

Role Type: Support Staff

Contract Type: 37 hours per week, term time only

Working Hours: Monday to Friday, 8:00am – 4:00pm

Job Purpose

This is a unique opportunity to work with our students with social, emotional and mental health needs, communication and interaction needs, and anxiety.

As HLTA you will take a leading role in delivering high-quality, personalised support for students at WSS, while also coordinating the work of a small, dedicated team of Teaching Assistants and Therapeutic workers. You will work collaboratively with teaching staff, the wider SEND team, external agencies, and parents/carers to ensure that every student at WSS receives the individualised support they need to thrive in school and in the wider environment.

This role combines high-level classroom and pastoral support with leadership responsibility and the opportunity to make a meaningful difference in the lives of vulnerable young people.

Key Responsibilities

1. Teaching and Learning Support

• Deliver targeted small group and 1:1 interventions across a range of subject areas and social/emotional needs, in line with student EHCPs.

• Support students in accessing learning in mainstream lessons, promoting independence, confidence, and engagement.

• Adapt resources and approaches to meet the specific learning profiles of students.

• Use assessment for learning techniques to track and respond to student progress.

• Work closely with teaching staff to implement support strategies and differentiate appropriately.

• To cover and deliver sessions in the absence of teaching staff

1. Team Leadership

• Work with a team of Teaching Assistants (TAs) and Therapeutic Workers within the main school, overseeing their day-to-day deployment, support, and development.

• Contribute to meetings, support staff briefings and contribute to SEND planning and reviews.

• Lead by example in upholding the school’s ethos, expectations, and trauma-informed practices.

• Provide coaching, modelling and in-role support for the team to ensure consistently high-quality practice.

• Work with the Assistant Headteacher SENDCo to evaluate provision and contribute to strategic development planning.

1. Student Support and Pastoral Care

• Act as a key adult and trusted figure for the caseload of WSS students.

• Implement trauma-informed and attachment-aware approaches to behaviour, communication, and regulation.

• Support students in managing their emotions, transitions, and relationships in school.

• Liaise with parents/carers and external professionals to ensure a coordinated support plan is in place.

• Contribute to risk assessments, pastoral plans, and the safe management of crisis situations.

1. Inclusion and Safeguarding

• Champion inclusive practice and student voice within the wider school community.

• Ensure that safeguarding, confidentiality, and data protection policies are upheld at all times.

• Maintain accurate records and support statutory processes (EHCPs, annual reviews, etc.).

• Promote student attendance, punctuality, and readiness to learn.

1. Professional Development

• Engage in regular CPD linked to SEMH, autism, anxiety, neurodiversity, and inclusive education.

• Contribute to the development of others through mentoring, training, or sharing of best practice.

• Maintain HLTA status and undertake any additional qualifications or training as agreed.

Safe Working Practices for Adults Working with Children
All staff at Walsall Studio School are expected to model and uphold the Trust’s ethos of safe, respectful, and professional conduct when working with students. The post holder must act in line with safeguarding principles and actively promote a culture of vigilance and care.

Safeguarding Statement
Walsall Studio School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. All appointments are subject to an enhanced DBS check, satisfactory references, and other relevant employment checks.

The Mercian Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people/vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Safeguarding and Safer Recruitment Policies can be found on our website. This position is subject to appropriate vetting procedures including a criminal record check from the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly CRB) which will require you to disclose details of all unspent and unfiltered spent reprimands, formal warnings, cautions and convictions as part of the recruitment process.