Higher Level Teaching Assistant (HLTA)

Full Job Description

Work Smarter. Live Better. Join the 4-Day Working Week!

Job Title: Higher Level Teaching Assistant 
Location: Acorn Park School, Norwich, NR16 2HU
Salary:     £23,321.34 per annum
Hours:     37.5 hours per week | Monday to Friday
Contract: Permanent | Term Time including 10 inset days
Start:       March 2026
UK applicants only; no sponsorship available

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, giving you 80% of your contractual hours for 100% of your pay*.

Many of our schools have already introduced the 4DWW, and others will soon join in. So, whether it’s already in place or just around the corner, now’s the perfect time to join #teamOFG!

About the Role

Every day at Acorn Park is an opportunity to inspire and support our students. You’ll work alongside teachers, therapists, and residential staff to help students reach their full potential while also developing your own professional and leadership skills.

As a Higher Level Teaching Assistant, you will:

• Deliver high-quality, personalised learning alongside class teachers, tailored to each student’s unique needs and learning styles
• Lead and manage a team of learning support assistants, ensuring consistency and best practice across the curriculum
• Collaborate with education and residential teams to maximise learning opportunities, including morning routines and transitions
• Implement individualised communication and learning goals in partnership with therapists and teaching staff
• Contribute to student progress by setting targets, maintaining accurate records, and supporting assessments
• Attend statutory reviews and meetings, preparing detailed reports as required
• Administer medication safely in accordance with healthcare guidance and school policies

Who We’re Looking For

• GCSE Maths and English, Grade 4/C or equivalent
• Experience supporting students with complex needs in an educational setting
• Strong leadership and communication skills to manage and guide learning support assistants
• Collaborative, adaptable, and committed to helping every student reach their full potential
• Passionate about creating an inclusive, supportive, and structured learning environment

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 19 years, Options Autism has provided specialist care and education for children, young people, and adults with autism, complex needs, and learning difficulties. As part of Outcomes First Group, we are pioneering innovative, evidence-based approaches that deliver meaningful, measurable outcomes for everyone in our care.

We are really proud to say that in 2025 Outcomes First Group were officially certified as a ‘Great Place to Work’ for the sixth year running.

Why Join Us?

We place pupils and vulnerable young adults at the heart of everything we do, so every day brings the satisfaction of making a real difference. We are committed to the safeguarding and promoting the welfare of pupils and young people. All applicants will be subject to social media checks and successful applicants to a fully enhanced DBS.

• Life Assurance
• Pension scheme with options to increase contributions
• “Your Wellbeing Matters” – mental health support and physical health checks
• Flexible Benefits Platform (Vista), including:
  • Health, wellbeing and insurance benefits
  • Hundreds of UK and international discounts
  • Cycle to Work Scheme & Electric Car Purchase Scheme
  • Critical illness cover
  • Family Growth Support, including enhanced maternity/paternity leave and paid fertility treatment support

*Subject to successful probation. Not a contractual benefit.

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

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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