HLTA - Primary Curriculum

The Ladder School, Walsall, WS1 1RS

11 days remaining to apply

• Job start date

  1 November 2025

• Closing date

  6 October 2025 at 11:59pm

• Date listed

  25 September 2025

Job details

• Job role:
  • HLTA (higher level teaching assistant)
• Visa sponsorship: Visas cannot be sponsored
• Working pattern: Full time: Term time + 1
• Contract type: Fixed term - 12months
• Pay scale: G7 SCP22 - SCP27

What skills and experience we're looking for

Person Specification:

Essential:

• HLTA status or equivalent qualification.
• Experience working with children with SEND.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to communicate effectively with students of varying needs and abilities.
• Experience in supporting pupils with behavioural needs and implementing behaviour support plans.
• Understanding of safeguarding procedures and commitment to promoting pupil welfare.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Confidence in delivering phonics and reading interventions in creative and engaging ways.
• Willingness to support practical learning and offsite activities to enrich pupil experiences.

• Build positive, trusting relationships with pupils who have SEMH needs and may be disengaged from learning, using trauma-informed and relational approaches to re-engage them in education.

• Desirable:

• Knowledge of specific SEND conditions (e.g., autism, ADHD, speech and language difficulties, SEMH).
• Experience with assistive technologies or alternative communication methods.
• Training in behaviour management techniques (e.g., Team Teach, de-escalation strategies).
• Experience supporting pupil attendance and working with pastoral teams.
• First aid training.

What the school offers its staff

Person Specification:

Essential:

• HLTA status or equivalent qualification.
• Experience working with children with SEND.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to communicate effectively with students of varying needs and abilities.
• Experience in supporting pupils with behavioural needs and implementing behaviour support plans.
• Understanding of safeguarding procedures and commitment to promoting pupil welfare.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Confidence in delivering phonics and reading interventions in creative and engaging ways.
• Willingness to support practical learning and offsite activities to enrich pupil experiences.

• Build positive, trusting relationships with pupils who have SEMH needs and may be disengaged from learning, using trauma-informed and relational approaches to re-engage them in education.

• Desirable:

• Knowledge of specific SEND conditions (e.g., autism, ADHD, speech and language difficulties, SEMH).
• Experience with assistive technologies or alternative communication methods.
• Training in behaviour management techniques (e.g., Team Teach, de-escalation strategies).
• Experience supporting pupil attendance and working with pastoral teams.
• First aid training.

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.

Job Purpose:

To support the learning and development of students with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND), working under the guidance of the SENDCo and Head Teacher. The HLTA will deliver tailored interventions, support classroom activities, and contribute to the planning and assessment of learning for SEND pupils, working significantly below age related expectation. A key part of the role involves managing behaviour, promoting wellbeing, and ensuring the safety, attendance, and enhancing learning through engaging and inclusive approaches.

Key Responsibilities:

• Support for Pupils:
• Deliver targeted interventions and support strategies for pupils with SEND.
• Promote inclusion and independence within the classroom and school environment.
• Assist with the implementation of Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs).
• Provide emotional and behavioural support where needed.
• Communicate effectively with students, using appropriate methods to ensure understanding and engagement, especially for those with communication difficulties.
• Support pupils in managing their behaviour through consistent use of school behaviour policies and personalised strategies.
• De-escalate challenging situations calmly and professionally, using restorative approaches where appropriate.
• Monitor and support pupil welfare, ensuring their physical and emotional needs are met.
• Work with pastoral teams to promote good attendance and punctuality, identifying and addressing barriers to attendance.

• Administer prescribed medication to pupils in accordance with school policies and individual care plans, ensuring accurate record-keeping and safeguarding procedures.
• Build positive, trusting relationships with pupils who have SEMH needs and may be disengaged from learning, using trauma-informed and relational approaches to re-engage them in education.

• Support for Teaching and Learning:
• Plan and deliver learning activities to small groups / 1:1.
• Contribute to the assessment and tracking of pupil progress.
• Adapt resources and teaching strategies to meet individual needs.
• Lead small group or one-to-one sessions with SEND pupils.
• Support pupils in developing self-regulation and coping strategies.
• Implement engaging and multi-sensory approaches to teaching phonics and reading, tailored to individual learning styles and needs.
• Enhance learning through practical, hands-on activities and experiences that support curriculum objectives.
• Support and accompany pupils on offsite educational trips, ensuring safety, inclusion, and meaningful learning opportunities.
• Support for the Curriculum:
• Support pupils in accessing a broad and balanced curriculum.
• Use specialist knowledge to support learning in areas such as Phonics, Literacy, Numeracy, communication, and sensory needs.
• Support for the School:
• Work collaboratively with teachers, SENDCo, and external professionals.
• Maintain accurate records of interventions, behaviour incidents, attendance concerns, and pupil progress.
• Promote safeguarding and wellbeing of all pupils, following school policies and procedures.
• Participate in training and professional development relevant to the role, including safeguarding, behaviour management, and trauma-informed practice.

Commitment to safeguarding

The Ladder School 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. A copy of the ‘Safeguarding Policy’ is available to view or download by logging onto the School website: www.theladderschool.org.

Applying for the job

Apply for the job by following the link below.

CVs will not be accepted for this application.

Upload additional documents

If you need these documents in an accessible format, please contact the school.

HLTA JD.docx - 17.4 KB (opens in new tab)

About The Ladder School

• School type: Free School, ages 13 to 18
• School size: 44 pupils enrolled
• Age range: 13 to 18
• Ofsted report: View Ofsted report
• School website: The Ladder School website
• Email address: hrmatters@merciantrust.org.uk
• See more jobs: teaching-vacancies.service.gov.uk/organisations/the-ladder-school

We are an Alternative Provision Free School located in Walsall Town Centre. The Ladder School was established in January 2019 and has now moved in to a brand new, purpose-built building based on the edge of Walsall town centre where there are excellent links to the local and wider community. Over the coming years we will continue to grow and become the ‘go to place’ for alternative provision in the borough.

At The Ladder School, we recognise that mainstream school does not suit all young people and we are here to offer a second chance. We work on a commissioning basis, that means that a school or the Local Authority must approach to place a student. Unfortunately, we cannot accept direct referrals from parents/carers.

The staff work incredibly hard to ensure our students make the most of the opportunities that they get whist they are with us. Unlike other alternative provisions, we offer a range of GCSE courses, supplemented with some vocational courses to ensure students get a well-rounded education.

We are a positive environment, that uses praise and encouragement to enable our students to see things differently. We have a set of values that underpin everything we do.

Arranging a visit to The Ladder School

To arrange a visit and increase the chance of a successful application email hrmatters@merciantrust.org.uk.

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