16 days remaining to apply

  • Start date details

    September 2026

  • Closing date

    21 June 2026 at 11:59pm

  • Date listed

    2 June 2026

Job details

Job role

  • Teaching assistant

Visa sponsorship

Visas cannot be sponsored

Working pattern

Full time

Contract type

Permanent

Full-time equivalent salary

£31,537.00 - £33,699.00 Annually (FTE) NJC Grade H pt 15 - 17

[260605] HLTA job summary

PEAK Academy, Reach South Academy Trust is looking for an inspiring Higher Level Teaching Assistant who is passionate about transforming the lives of children with SEND. This is a truly exciting opportunity to join a school that is not just improving - it is transforming! Join us to Shape Futures and Champion Inclusion with our vision for an inclusive, ambitious and nurturing learning environment.

Post: Higher Level Teaching Assistant

Location: PEAK Academy, Drake Lane, Dursley, Gloucestershire, GL11 5HD

FTE Salary Range: NJC Grade H pt 15 - 17 FTE £31,537 rising to a maximum of £33,699 per annum;

Actual Salary Range: Wiltshire Grade H £28,065 rising to a maximum of £29.989 per annum

Contract Type: Permanent /term time only (39 weeks per year)

Contract Hours: 37 hours per week, Monday to Friday

For more information about The PEAK Academy please see our applicant pack - The PEAK Academy Applicant Pack

About the role

PEAK Academy is looking to recruit an exceptional Higher Level Teaching Assistant to join our team. You’ll join a team of dedicated SEND professionals and will work closely with your colleagues to promote the emotional, physical and educational development of pupils with special needs.

The post holder will be responsible for not only supporting pupils in class and as they transition through their day, but also for leading interventions for small numbers of pupils to help support them in terms of social and/or academic learning. This is highly rewarding and challenging work, where you can make a huge difference to vulnerable young people’s lives. There will be lots of training made available to you.

What we’re looking for

The successful candidate for our HLTA role will:

  • Have a good knowledge and understanding of SEN strategies, specifically SEMH to support pupils with these needs.
  • Have knowledge and understanding of social, emotional and mental health needs, and cognitive needs, that affect children and young people’s development and how to respond effectively to these issues
  • Have excellent listening skills and the ability to build strong, trusting relationships
  • Be resilient and able to take regular responsibility for agreed learning activities
  • Be able to promote and support the inclusion of all pupils in learning and social skills activities
  • Be able to use positive and personalised learning and behavioural management strategies

The key duties will also include but will not be limited to:

Working within recognised procedures, which leave room for initiative.

Responding independently to unexpected problems and situations.

Assessing the educational needs of pupils and use knowledge and skills to support pupils’ learning.

Planning teaching and learning objectives to evaluate, develop and adjust lessons/work plans as appropriate.

Encouraging/ facilitating pupils to interact and work co-operatively with others and engage all pupils in activities.

Leading pupils learning in whole class, groups or through1:1 work, supporting and enhancing the curriculum offer

Being an excellent SEN practitioner demonstrating embedded SEMH enablement strategies

We will ensure that the post holder will have access to a supervisor and mentor for advice and guidance on an on-going basis and to support on unusual or difficult problems (alongside the usual school support mechanisms and structures)

About the School

PEAK Academy is a day specialist provider of education in Dursley, Gloucestershire for children and young people aged from 11 to 16 years who have an SEMH profile. There are currently 60 pupils on roll but Reach South plans, in partnership with the LA to diversify both number and age range.

PEAK formally joined Reach South in August 2022. The Trust has secured capital to ensure the capacity for growth and diversification.

PEAK’s aim is to build safe independent lives for the SEMH population through a process of understanding, support, and enablement. To achieve this goal the school looks at the unique impact social, emotional, and mental health experiences has on the individual child. From this we aim as a school to personalise the child’s curriculum, care, and therapeutic package to ensure every child achieves and experiences success and independence.

This is a unique opportunity to not only join the team at Peak, but also to work for a Trust within a framework of specialist provision. The Trust, our schools, and our pupils require teachers who are looking to be innovative, bold, and collaborative. You can help to design your pupil’s curriculum and influence their future. Your work will always be challenging and rewarding as a part of the Reach South Specialist team.

About the Trust

We are a family of schools working in partnership for the benefit of all our pupils and students. We believe our charitable aim, to advance education, is best achieved through collaboration, both within the Trust and beyond.

We operate 21 academies across Devon, Cornwall, Dorset, Gloucestershire and Wiltshire, serving learners aged 3 to 19. Alongside our primary, all-through and technical provision, we are proud to include a strong and integral network of seven special schools and one alternative provision setting.

These settings are a vital part of our community, providing inclusive, high-quality education for pupils with a wide range of needs, including complex learning profiles, autism, and social, emotional and mental health needs, as well as those who benefit from a more personalised approach. Together, we are committed to helping every young person thrive.

What we can offer

You will be working as part of a dynamic, committed team in a role which offers high job satisfaction and the chance to make a real difference to the children and families you work with.

We recognise what our people do and how hard they work, and we believe in giving back. You will have access to a range of benefits and opportunities, including:

  • Competitive salary and LGPS pension
  • Great career and development opportunities in a growing school
  • A wide professional network as part of the Reach South family
  • Employee Assistance Programme, including free 24/7 counselling and information line
  • Wellbeing schemes, including Cycle to Work scheme and gym discounts
  • Free will-writing service
  • Lifestyle savings and discounts

Find out more about our range of employee benefits at: https://www.reachsouth.org/page/?title=Employee+Benefits&pid=84

Next Steps

If you think this role may be for you and want to be involved at this exciting time in our development and have any questions about the position, please get in touch by calling the Recruitment team on 07759365064 or emailing us at recruitment@reachsouth.org.

Closing date: for applications is 21st June 2026

Interview Date: Interviews are provisionally booked for w/c 28th June 2026.

To apply for this opportunity, please complete our online application form by clicking ‘apply now’ on the advert.

We reserve the right to interview and appoint prior to the closing date. Therefore, an early application is strongly advised.

Opportunities and Benefits

We offer a competitive salary plus LGPS pension, great career progression and development opportunities, access to our Employee Assistance Programme with many other benefits.

We’re proud of how we support our staff in order that you have high levels of job satisfaction, are aware of the difference you are making for the children and families you work with and can see your contribution towards our community. There are regular opportunities for professional development and training, and a wider community of staff to network with within Reach South Multi Academy Trust. You will have the chance to visit other local schools, work alongside a range of outside professionals and take part in a variety of e-learning and face-to-face training.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Each post is subject to an enhanced DBS check.

Reach South Academy Trust has an Equal Opportunities Policy for selection and recruitment. Applicants are requested to complete the Equal Opportunities Monitoring section of the application form before submitting.

Further information about the job

The candidate will be required to undergo a full enhanced DBS check and must be eligible to work in the UK.
Visas cannot be sponsored.
If you're interested in teaching or training to teach in England as an international citizen, we can help you understand your next steps.

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.

Applying for the job

This school accepts applications through their own website, where you may also find more information about this job.

CVs will not be accepted for this application.

View advert on external website (opens in new tab)

About Peak Academy

School type
Academies, None, ages 11 to 16
School size
64 pupils enrolled
Age range
11 to 16
Ofsted report
View Ofsted report
School website
Peak Academy website

School location

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[260106C] SEND Teaching Assistant

Peak Academy

Drake Lane, Dursley, GL11 5HD

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