Higher Level Teaching Assistant (HLTA) Phonics and Literacy Lead
Shire Oak Academy, Walsall, West Midlands, WS9 9PA12 days remaining to apply
Start date details
As soon as possible
Closing date
23 November 2026 at 9am
Date listed
2 November 2026
Job details
Job role
- Teacher or lecturer
Visa sponsorship
- Visas cannot be sponsored
Working pattern
- Full time
Contract type
- Permanent
Full time equivalent salary
- £23,092.00 - £25,005.00 Annually (Actual) Grade 4 (6-11) (Actual Salary: £23,092 - £25,005)(FTE: £26,847 - £29,071)
Higher Level Teaching Assistant (HLTA) Phonics and Literacy Lead job summary
Job Title: Higher Level Teaching Assistant (HLTA) - Phonics and Literacy Lead
Location: Walsall
Shire Oak Academy is an exciting and vibrant learning community where students enjoy great success in and outside of the classroom. We aim to provide an outstanding, positive learning environment and value the high quality of relationships that enable this to be true of all aspects of school life. Our Academy motto, ‘Turning Potential into Excellence’ is important to us as we prepare our students for successful adult lives in an increasingly competitive world. We support and encourage our students to try their best to achieve success in all areas and help prepare them for their future choices, not only in their academic learning, but also within other areas such as music, sport, art and drama.
We are:
Aspirational - Inspire all of our students to dream big dreams which extend their horizons beyond their expectations.
Success - Learning from failure, challenging expectations and driving for success.
Participation - To be fully involved in school life. Take an active part in lessons and take full advantage of the extracurricular opportunities provided.
Integrity - Promoting the qualities of selflessness, courage, honesty, respect, commitment and doing the right thing.
Responsibility - To enable each student to develop confidence, self-esteem and responsibility in all areas of school life.
Excellence - Striving for excellence and high achievement in everything we do.
To provide a safe, secure, caring and supportive environment in which all students may take advantage of the opportunities we provide to develop knowledge, skills, attitudes and values to prepare them for taking up an adult place in 21st Century society as responsible, responsive and enterprising citizens who become effective lifelong learners and make a positive contribution to society.
Want to make a difference to young people?
Are you ready to embark on a rewarding journey within an educational community that values increasing opportunities, improving outcomes for our students. We are looking for a Higher Level Teaching Assistant (HLTA) - Phonics and Literacy Leadto join our team. Reporting to Assistant Headteacher / SENDCo, you will undertake:
Key responsibilities:
Promote a culture in which every pupil is supported to become a confident, accurate and increasingly independent reader and writer.
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Lead the day-to-day coordination and delivery of phonics and literacy interventions, maintaining high expectations for participation, progress and conduct.
Use assessment information to identify gaps, match provision to need and evaluate the impact of support.
Work collaboratively with pupils, families, teachers, support staff and external professionals in the best interests of pupils.
Take responsibility for promoting and safeguarding the welfare of children and young people within the Academy.
Pay range: Scale Grade 4 (6-11) | Actual £23,092 - £25,005 | FTE £26,847 - £29,071
Qualifications and Skills:
English and mathematics GCSE at grade C/4 or above (or equivalent).
Recognised HLTA status or qualification appropriate to the role.
Relevant training or qualification in phonics, literacy, reading intervention or supporting learning.
Successful experience of supporting pupils in a learning environment.
Experience of planning and delivering structured phonics and/or literacy interventions.
Experience of assessing need, recording progress and evaluating impact.
Experience of leading learning for individuals, groups or classes.
Experience of supporting pupils with SEND or persistent literacy difficulties.
Secure knowledge of systematic synthetic phonics and how decoding, fluency, vocabulary and comprehension contribute to reading.
Understanding of barriers experienced by older struggling readers and the importance of age-appropriate catch-up provision.
Understanding of safeguarding, confidentiality, equality and professional boundaries.
Knowledge of positive behaviour support and adaptive teaching.
Excellent literacy and communication skills.
Ability to articulate phonemes accurately and model effective reading and spelling strategies.
Ability to interpret assessment information and translate it into focused support.
Strong organisation, record keeping and time management.
Ability to coach, model practice and work collaboratively with colleagues and families.
Confident use of ICT and relevant learning or assessment systems.
High expectations and commitment to improving outcomes.
Integrity, discretion, resilience and accountability.
Ability to motivate pupils and colleagues and sustain consistent practice.
Reflective, receptive to feedback and committed to professional learning.
Commitment to the ethos and values of Shire Oak Academy and The Mercian Trust.
For full details of the post please see attached Job Description and Person Specification
Why The Mercian Trust?
As one Trust we share a common purpose. We call it our social mobility and social justice mission to change our communities through the very best equitable education. When we get this right, it enables our children and young people to fulfil their potential, thrive in the world of work, and make a positive contribution to the local, national and international community.
Put simply, our common purpose is to increase opportunities and improve outcomes for our students. We are particularly committed to students who are under-served and under-resourced. We prioritise those who have special educational needs and disabilities, or who are more likely to face discrimination for whatever reason.
It is this common purpose that fuels everything we do. We deliver impactful, sustainable and ethical continuous school improvement in our schools to ensure the children and young people in the communities we serve learn in the very best and most inclusive schools.
We are deeply rooted in the communities we serve (which are the education investment areas of the West Midlands). We adopt a pioneering spirit and look to lead the sector with innovative solutions to the problems our students and families face.
Want to be a part of something extraordinary? Find out more: The Mercian Trust - Home
Benefits:
Financial, Health and Lifestyle
discounts on everyday purchases (Eden Red)
a comprehensive free of charge health plan (UK Health Care)
a cycle to work scheme via Halfords
access to the Blue Light Card
For further benefits including education sector leading CPD: The Mercian Trust - What we can offer you
The Mercian Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of young people and vulnerable adults, and all appointments are subject to enhanced Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) checks and satisfactory references.
The Mercian Trust is also committed to promoting equality, challenging discrimination and developing community cohesion. We welcome applications from all sections of the community.
Please take time to read our polices attached to this advert.
We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive a high volume of suitable applications. Please apply as soon as possible to avoid disappointment
Further information about the job
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 Shire Oak Academy
- Organisation type
- Academy, ages 11 to 18
- Education phase
- Secondary school
- Size
- 1149 pupils enrolled
- Age range
- 11 to 18
- Ofsted report
- View Ofsted report
- Website
- Shire Oak Academy website
School location
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