Higher Level Teaching Assistant (HLTA)

Full Job Description

How would you like to get paid for five days, but only work four?

At Outcomes First Group, we believe in better work/life balance — and we’re putting wellbeing first.

That’s why we’re proud to be part of a 4-Day Working Week (4DWW) trial, where you can work one day less each week (or equivalent hours), while still receiving your full-time pay.

Many of our schools have already introduced the 4DWW — and others are preparing to roll it out as soon as they reach full staffing. So, whether it’s already in place or just around the corner, now’s the perfect time to join #teamOFG.

Job Title: Higher Level Teaching Assistant

Location: Acorn Park School, Norwich, NR16 2HU

Salary:     £22,210.80 per annum

Hours:     37.5 hours per week, Monday to Friday, 8:30am - 4:30pm 

Contract: Permanent, Term Time Only plus 10 inset days

Start Date: November 2025

 UK applicants only. This role does not offer sponsorship.

As part of our continued growth, we now have a fantastic opportunity for a Higher Level Teaching Assistant to join our close-knit team at Acorn Park School located in Norwich.

About the Role

In conjunction with Senior Management to:

• Work throughout the Education Department, using specialist knowledge and experience to support the Class Teachers to ensure the entitlement of the students to a broad-based appropriate curriculum which meets their discrete needs and learning styles.
• Manage a team of learning support assistants on a day-to-day basis. Ensure that learning support assistants are fully up to date with curriculum developments on a school basis.
• Work with teachers in delivering agreed learning activities under an arranged system of supervision
• Support collaborative working with the residential department ensuring effective communication between adults and opportunities to maximise and generalise learning for all students including supporting the students in their morning routines ready for school

Job Responsibilities

• Support the delivery of high-quality learning by carrying out all duties as directed by the Class Teacher or Head of Education, ensuring all students are given the opportunity to reach their full potential.
• Promote the development of students’ communication skills by implementing individualised communication goals in collaboration with the Education Team, Therapy Team, and Residential staff.
• Contribute to student progress by setting appropriate targets, maintaining accurate records, and participating in the assessment and evaluation of learning, with guidance from relevant professionals.
• Attend and actively contribute to statutory reviews and meetings concerning students, including the preparation and submission of detailed reports as required.
• Administer medication in accordance with instructions from qualified healthcare professionals, ensuring adherence to all relevant policies and procedures.

Requirements

• GCSE Maths and English 4/C or equivalent

About us

Acorn Park is a school for 160 pupils, all with a primary diagnosis of Autism. We run two curriculum pathways — Formal and Semi-Formal. Our Complex Needs pupils follow the Semi-Formal Pathway, which is highly personalised according to their EHCPs. We have a mix of Day and Residential pupils, supported by 8 co-located pupil homes on our 30-acre rural Norfolk site. On site, we also have a large Forest School, an Animal Care Farm, play facilities, a sports hall, and sensory rooms.

For over 16 years Options Autism have provided care and education to pupils, young people and adults with autism, complex needs and learning difficulties. We are a leading provider of education for neurodivergent young people and young adults. As part of Outcomes First Group, we are leading our sector in setting and delivering new approaches that provide measurable outcomes for those in our care

We are really proud to say that in 2024, Outcomes First Group were officially certified as a ‘Great Place to Work’ for the fifth year running.

Why join Options Autism?

We place the outcomes of the pupils in our services at the heart of everything we do, so you’ll wake every day in the knowledge that your role will have a significant positive impact on the lives of others.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of pupils. All applicants will be subject to social media checks and successful applicants to a fully enhanced DBS.

Benefits

Your health and wellbeing are important to us, so you’ll get an exceptional reward package including:

• Life Assurance
• Pension scheme with options to increase your contributions
• “Your Wellbeing Matters” – access to a wide range of first-class mental health support services and physical health checks

And a market-leading benefit offering through our Flexible Benefits Platform, Vista, enables you to choose the package that’s right for you, including:

• A wide range of health, wellbeing, and insurance benefits
• 100’s of discount options valid in the UK and abroad
• Cycle to Work Schemes
• Electric Car Purchase Scheme
• Critical illness cover
• Family Growth Support - inclusive benefits package covering enhanced maternity and paternity leave, along with paid fertility treatment support. 

We reserve the right to close the vacancy early if we receive a high volume of suitable applications.

*You’ll work 80% of your contractual hours for 100% of your pay, giving you more time to do the things that make you happy. 4DWW is subject to successful completion of probation and is not a contractual benefit 

Outcomes First Group is committed to carrying out a fair, thorough and efficient recruitment process in line with Keeping Children Safe in Education. Whilst we aim to keep applicants informed throughout, Outcomes First Group does not accept liability for any loss of earnings or other associated costs incurred by applicants as a result of delays or changes in the compliance process. All stages of the compliance process are subject to necessary safeguarding checks and compliance with statutory requirements, which may affect timescales. 

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