SENDCo Assistant / Higher Level Teaching Assistant

Hilltop Infant School, Wickford, Essex, SS11 8LT

32 days remaining to apply

• Start date details

  Asap

• Closing date

  24 April 2026 at 10am

• Date listed

  23 March 2026

Job details

• Job role:
  • Teaching assistant
• Visa sponsorship: Visas cannot be sponsored
• Working pattern: Part time
• Contract type: Permanent
• Full-time equivalent salary: £20,097.22 - £21,716.70 Annually (Actual) FTE £26,718 - £28,871 including fringe allowance. Band 3, point 6-11

SENDCo Assistant / Higher Level Teaching Assistant job summary

Hours: 32.5 hours. Term time plus 5 non-pupil days (39 working weeks)

Hilltop Infant School has an exciting opportunity for a SENDCo Assistant / Higher Level Teaching Assistant (HLTA) to join their friendly team.

Children are at the HEART of all that we do. We believe that each child deserves an education that enables them to reach their potential both academically and socially.

The role of SENDCo Assistant / HLTA main focus will be to support high quality teaching, ensuring the effective use of resources, systems and processes to maintain a good provision for pupils with special educational needs.

Applicants should hold a level 3 in learning support or equivalent early years qualification and have achieved grade C or above in maths and English or equivalent. A SEND qualification would be desirable.

The successful applicant will:

• Have a good understanding of the SEND Regulations 2024
• Assist in the leadership of learning support staff
• Promote the inclusion of children with SEND both within the classroom and during non-class based learning, ensuring access to learning through appropriate clarification, explanation and resources
• Support groups as directed by the SENDCo and/or Head of School
• Implement planned learning activities / teaching programmes as agreed with colleagues, adjusting activities according to pupil's response
• Support pupils with literacy and numeracy skills
• Monitor and record pupil progress
• Help children with social, welfare and health matters, including minor first aid and administration of medication

We reserve the right to close this vacancy early should we have enough applications to shortlist, therefore we advise that you do not delay applying.

For all vacancies at HEARTS Academy Trust please visit our website: https://heartsacademytrust.co.uk/careers/vacancies/

HEARTS Academy Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. All offers of employment are subject to the receipt of a satisfactory application form, satisfactory references that meet the requirements as set out in KCSIE, satisfactory online search and an Enhanced DBS check, to include a children’s barred list check, and where applicable, a prohibition from teaching check will be completed for all applicants.

This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (2013 and 2020). This means that certain convictions and cautions are considered ‘protected’ and do not need to be disclosed to employers, and if they are disclosed, employers cannot take them into account. Guidance about whether a conviction or caution should be disclosed can be found on the Ministry of Justice website:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/new-guidance-on-the-rehabilitation-of-offenders-act-1974

To view the Trust policies relating to recruitment, data protection and child protection please click here

If you would like any support or assistance at any stage of your application process, please contact recruitment@heartsacademy.uk / 01268 572672. We will be happy to discuss this with you.

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

The Trustees are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. The post will be subject to an enhanced DBS check, online searches, medical check, prohibited from teaching check and references. References are taken up prior to interview.

A copy of the Trust Child Protection Policy is available on our website:- https://www.heartsacademytrust.co.uk/trust-information/policies

For further information about the HEARTS Academy Trust please visit our website at: http://www.heartsacademytrust.co.uk

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.

About Hilltop Infant School

• School type: Academy, ages 2 to 7
• Education phase: Primary school
• School size: 210 pupils enrolled
• Age range: 2 to 7
• Ofsted report: View Ofsted report
• School website: Hilltop Infant School website
• See more jobs: teaching-vacancies.service.gov.uk/organisations/hilltop-infant-school

Hilltop Infant School is a proud member of the thriving and ever-growing Wickford community and is one of six schools that make up the HEARTS Academy Trust. At Hilltop Infant School, we believe in creating an inclusive, safe and nurturing environment that allows children to flourish. We work as a team, in partnership with our parents and community, aiming high to be a ‘beacon of excellence’. We cater for children ages 2-7, ensuring that all of our children feel valued, achieve well and reach their full potential.

One of our unique selling points is that all of our pupils, and staff, are recognised as 'eco warriors', focused on our shared mission of saving our precious planet - together - and regularly take part in our bespoke outdoor learning lessons and contribute positively to society. We are the only setting in Wickford that has a qualified teacher leading the provision in our Hilltots Pre-School, as we recognise the crucial learning and development that takes place in the Early Years, laying the foundation for lifelong curiosity and success.

Hilltop Infant School is part of the HEARTS Academy Trust, a Trust of local schools that has the values of happiness, equity, achievement, resilience, truth and spirituality. The Trust is truly innovative and rewards outstanding staff for outstanding outcomes. The school calendar consists of 184 days contact time with pupils, 5 non-pupil days and the equivalent of 6 days of high quality continuous professional development.

We can offer you:

- an excellent CPD entitlement with purposeful training, including Trust-wide twilights throughout the year

- a two-week October half-term

- supportive colleagues who want to provide the best possible opportunities for their pupils

- a highly effective learning environment

- a responsive and involved leadership team

- an 80:20 teaching model (4-day teaching week where all teachers receive an additional 10% non-contact (PPA) time each week as part of the trust policy)

- a school with a highly positive culture that supports all staff; mental health, workload and wellbeing are at the forefront of our vision and values

- access to our school counsellor and network of Mental Health and Wellbeing champions

For further information about HEARTS, including policies and procedures, please refer to our website www.heartsacademytrust.co.uk

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