Higher Level Teaching Assistant

We are looking for a passionate, experienced and highly motivated Higher Level Teaching Assistant (HLTA) to join our specialist school community at St Andrew’s View, Breadsall Hilltop, Derby.

Our main site is home to students predominantly in Key Stage 3 and Key Stage 4, alongside a small number of students aged 16–19. We are committed to providing a safe, supportive and aspirational environment where every young person is encouraged to achieve their potential, develop their independence and prepare for life beyond school.

As a Grade 8 HLTA, you will play a key role in supporting high-quality teaching and learning across the school. You will work closely with teachers and the wider pastoral and support teams, taking an active role in delivering learning, supporting individual students and helping to create a positive and inclusive learning environment.

As our HLTA, you will:

• Work alongside teaching staff to deliver high-quality learning and support for students.
• Lead learning activities and classes when required, in line with agreed planning and curriculum objectives.
• Provide targeted support for students with a range of additional and complex needs.
• Support students to develop their academic, social, emotional and life skills.
• Adapt learning activities and approaches to meet individual student needs.
• Build positive, trusting relationships with students and encourage their confidence, independence and resilience.
• Support behaviour management and contribute to maintaining a calm, safe and purposeful learning environment.
• Work collaboratively with teachers, support staff, families and external professionals where appropriate.
• Monitor student progress and provide feedback to teaching staff.
• Support the development and implementation of individual learning and support strategies.
• Contribute to the wider life of the school and participate fully in the school community.
• Act as a positive role model, maintaining high expectations for all students.

We are looking for someone who is:

• An experienced Teaching Assistant or HLTA with a strong understanding of supporting young people with additional needs.
• Confident in leading learning and working independently when required.
• Able to build strong and positive relationships with students.
• Calm, patient, resilient and consistent in their approach.
• Creative and flexible, with the ability to adapt their approach to meet individual needs.
• Able to manage challenging situations professionally and sensitively.
• A strong communicator who works effectively as part of a multidisciplinary team.
• Committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people.
• Passionate about helping every student achieve their potential, regardless of their starting point.

St Andrew’s is a day special school for pupils with severe learning difficulties and ASD aged 11 -19 years. Our Special settings cater for children and young people with a wide range of Special Educational Needs from children with profound medical needs and life limiting conditions, those with severe, moderate and sensory needs through to young people with social emotional and mental health needs that require support and understanding to help them to navigate their world.

Please note, St Andrew’s Academy is a school that is based over two sites. During your employment at our school, you may be asked to work at either site, but any moves would be discussed with yourself prior. 

Our main site is based at St Andrew’s View, Breadsall Hilltop, Derby, DE21 4EW and most students on site are in Key Stage 3 and Key Stage 4 with a small number of students who are aged 16-19. 

Our FE (Further Education) Campus is based at 66 Whitaker Road, Derby, DE23 6AR. All students here are aged 16-19 and this site is based close to the city centre.

All candidates are required to provide a supporting statement on the formal application forms which states clearly your reasons for applying skills and experience for this position.

At Shaw Education Trust, we believe every role has the power to transform a life. Whether you’re supporting behind the scenes, inspiring in the classroom, or leading with vision, you will be part of something truly meaningful.

Our values—opportunity, integrity, community, and equity—guide everything we do. Our vision is “Opening doors to the world through the power of learning.” We bring this to life through our mission: working together to inspire communities where every school is valued, every voice matters, and every learner thrives.

We are a dynamic and growing family of primary, secondary, and special schools, proudly serving communities from Birmingham to Bury.

Our people are our greatest asset, and we are deeply committed to their development through high-quality training, apprenticeships, talent development programmes, and research opportunities, we empower our staff to thrive as skilled, confident professionals. We champion wellbeing, value every voice, and foster a culture where you feel supported, motivated, and inspired to make a real difference.

You will join a collaborative network of schools where shared expertise and a strong professional community drive success. Every academy within our Trust has an equal voice, and every colleague plays a vital role in shaping tailored learning experiences that raise aspirations and build brighter futures.

If you have the passion, dedication, and drive to help shape lives and create futures filled with promise, we would love you to join our team.

Together, let’s make the remarkable happen.

We believe every child has the potential to be extraordinary.

Join us and help transform lives, including your own.

Shaw Education Trust offer the following employee benefits with your Teaching or Support Staff employment:

• An excellent Local Government Pension Scheme (Support Staff) / Teachers Pension (Teaching Staff)
• Support Staff only based on working full time, all year - Generous holiday entitlement from your first day of employment (37 days holiday rising to 39 days after 5 years’ service including Bank Holidays)
• Access to Medicash Health & Wellbeing Plan: Enjoy health services designed to support your well-being.
• Free DiscountForTeachers Scheme for all staff (Support and Teaching), Exclusive discounts to save money with a wide selection of discounts and exclusive offers from hundreds of the biggest brands.
• Free Eye Tests
• Cycle to work scheme
• Access to our Institute of Education and fantastic opportunities to help you grow, contribute and flourish in your role and in the Trust.

We know our people are the key to our success and so we’re committed to ensuring the employment experience at Shaw Education Trust is a rewarding one.

Colleagues within the Trust benefit from: Access to a full range of courses both in-house and professionally accredited. These courses include a variety of the National Professional Qualifications and the Early Carer Teacher Programme delivered by Shaw Education Trust as a delivery partner for Ambition Institute. 

• Experienced leadership and subject-specific support.
• Guidance from former HMIs and serving Ofsted Inspectors within the Trust.
• Access to the Trust’s Institute of Education and SCITT.
• Opportunities to work with different schools within the