Higher Level Teaching Assistant
Witnesham Primary School, Ipswich, Suffolk, IP6 9EX7 days remaining to apply
Start date details
As soon as possible
Closing date
16 December 2025 at 12pm (midday)
Date listed
9 December 2025
Job details
Job role
- HLTA (higher level teaching assistant)
Visa sponsorship
- Visas cannot be sponsored
Working pattern
- Part time: 29.5 hours (8.30am – 4 pm x one day, 8.30 am - 3.15 pm x 4 days), 38 weeks per year.
Contract type
- Permanent
Full-time equivalent salary
- £30024
What skills and experience we're looking for
The successful candidate will possess empathy, personal resilience, understanding, patience and be passionate about working with children to provide a calm learning environment.
They will be expected to have considerable expertise / specialism.
Support for pupils and the teacher
They will be able to release a teacher with whom they work regularly and where they are familiar with the work of the class:
They will be involved in:
planning and preparing lessons for pupils;
delivering lessons to pupils;
assessing the development, progress and attainment of pupils;
reporting on the development, progress and attainment of pupils.
'Pupils' includes work with individual pupils as well as groups and the whole class.
General support for pupils
They will undertake a range of more specialised tasks to support learning e.g. supporting literacy and numeracy work, listening to reading etc.
Work with pupils, either one-to-one or in small groups, some of whom may have Special Educational Needs
As appropriate, look after sick/upset pupils and attend to physical needs
Undertake first aid (if qualified)
Support for the teacher
They will maintain and collate records of pupil needs and progress
Assist teaching staff to ensure that the aims and objectives of the school are achieved
Support for the curriculum
They will undertake tasks to support the curriculum and assist with events organised as part of the curriculum e.g. organise and schedule pupils' annual review meetings
Support implementation of Government initiatives under the direction of the teacher
Support for the school
They will attend and contribute to SEN and other review meetings if required by the Executive Headteacher and where appropriate, disseminate information to other Teaching Assistants.
The duties and responsibilities of any post may change from time to time, and post holders may be expected to carry out other work not explicitly mentioned above which is considered to be appropriate to the existing level of responsibility vested in the post.
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KNOWLEDGE
All Higher Level Teaching Assistants must hold HLTA status (or be willing to work towards this during employment), in accordance with the national framework of standards
Understanding of their specialist area to support pupils’ learning and ability to acquire further knowledge to contribute effectively and with confidence to classes in which they are involved
Knowledge of school curriculum, the age-related expectations of pupils, the main teaching methods and the testing/examination frameworks in the subjects and age ranges in which they are involved.
Understanding of the aims, content, teaching strategies and intended outcomes for the lessons in which they are involved, and understanding of the place of these in the related teaching programme.
Knowledge of how to use ICT to advance pupils’ learning, and ability to use common ICT tools for own and pupils’ benefits
Knowledge of the key factors that can affect the way pupils learn
Awareness of the statutory frameworks relevant to their role.
Knowledge of the legal definition of Special Education Needs and familiarity with the guidance about meeting SEN given in the SEN Code of Practice.
Knowledge of a range of strategies to establish a purposeful learning environment and to promote good behaviour.
Experience of working with/supervising pupils including knowledge of behavioural and learning difficulties
Practical knowledge of literacy and/or numeracy subject matter in order to be able to support pupils in a variety of lessons and learning environments, either on a one-to-one basis or small groups, under the direction and supervision of the teacher
Practical knowledge of equipment, including IT equipment where appropriate, to support learning, under the direction of the teacher
Ability to recognise changes in pupils' behaviour and report to the teacher
ADDITIONAL SKILLS
Ability to contribute effectively to teachers’ planning and preparation of lessons. This includes both short and medium term planning.
Works within a framework set by the teacher, and plans their role in lessons including how they will provide feedback to pupils and colleagues on pupil’s learning and behaviour.
Contribute effectively to the selection and preparation of teaching materials that meet the diversity of pupils’ needs and interests
Contribute to the planning of opportunities for pupils to learn in out-of-school contexts, in accordance with school policies and procedures.
Support the teacher in creating a positive learning environment
Ability to follow written instructions
Ability to complete a range of paperwork e.g. incident report form, pupil progress records
The post holder will be expected to resolve more complex queries and problems
INTERPERSONNEL AND COMMUNICATION SKILLS
Ability to promote and support the inclusion of all pupils in the learning activities in which they are involved.
Ability to recognise and respond effectively to equal opportunities issues as they arise, including by challenging stereotyped views, and by challenging bullying or harassment, following relevant policies and procedures.
Monitor pupils’ participation and progress, providing feedback to teachers, and giving constructive support to pupils as they learn.
Using clearly structured teaching and learning activities to interest and motivate pupils, and advance their learning.
Ability to advance pupils’ learning in a range of classroom settings, including working with individuals, small groups and whole classes where the assigned teacher is not present.
Ability to explain tasks and activities to pupils e.g. literacy/numeracy tasks, craft tools, science equipment, under the direction of the teacher
Ability to contribute to review meetings, if required
Ability to disseminate key information to other Teaching Assistants
INITIATIVE AND INDEPENDENCE
Ability to exercise considerable initiative as undertaking ‘specified work’ that contributes to pupils’ learning and progress
Ability to work with groups of pupils carrying out specific tasks or on field trips etc
Ability to resolve more complex problems and/or queries, referring most complex issues to the teacher, or other member of staff
EMOTIONAL DEMANDS
Job is emotionally demanding on occasion, e.g. pupil is unwell or becomes upset during an activity
Job holder needs ability to recognise changes in pupil behaviour and report them to teacher
RESPONSIBILITY FOR PEOPLE
Direct responsibility for pupil safety and progress
Responsibility for pupil when attending to personal needs
RESPONSIBILITY FOR SUPERVISION (EMPLOYEES)
No direct responsibility for other teaching assistants, but may contribute to the induction of new staff
RESPONSIBILITY FOR FINANCIAL RESOURCES
None
RESPONSIBILITY FOR PHYSICAL RESOURCES
Responsibility for tools and proper use of IT equipment, with teacher
Ability to complete a range of records, e.g. incident report forms, pupil progress records
WORKING CONDITIONS
Works within the school complex, predominately indoors but may be required to supervise pupils outside during breaks or field trips
What the school offers its staff
We will offer you:
● a friendly and welcoming team
● a voice in our whole school development plans
● a wide range of expertise and experience
● opportunities to share your strengths and learn with others
● the freedom to teach creatively through topics that interest you
● a school that believes in continuing professional development
● supportive and caring Senior Leaders and Governors.
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 job requires you to download an application form, you will be able to upload the application once complete.
CVs will not be accepted for this application.
Upload additional documents
If you need these documents in an accessible format, please contact the school.
About Witnesham Primary School
- School type
- Local authority maintained school, ages 4 to 11
- Education phase
- Primary
- School size
- 88 pupils enrolled
- Age range
- 4 to 11
- Ofsted report
- View Ofsted report
- School website
- Witnesham Primary School website
- Email address
- ad.witnesham@owfed.co.uk
- Phone number
- 01473 785252
Otley and Witnesham are both lovely, small village schools on the outskirts of Ipswich. The children are delightful, parents supportive and the team fabulous! Our vision is ‘Passion + Pride = Progress’ to reflect our belief that we develop resilient learners and celebrate their achievements, so they perform to the best of their abilities. The federation is working collaboratively in order to develop the highest quality education for the children.
School location
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