Higher Level Teaching Assistant

Full Job Description

At OFG we give you time to enjoy those special moments and hobbies outside of work 

Job Title:  Higher Level Teaching Assistant - Cover supervisor
Location:  Penny Tree School, Birmingham, B30 3ES
Hours:      40 hours per week | Monday to Friday | 8.00am – 4.00pm
Salary:      £26,375 per annum (not pro rata)
Contract:  Permanent | Term Time Only
Start:        October 2026
UK applicants only – no sponsorship available

About the Role

Are you ready to take the next step in your education career?

At Penny Tree School, we're looking for an enthusiastic and motivated Higher Level Teaching Assistant / Cover Supervisor to join our dedicated team. This is an exciting opportunity to play a key role in supporting pupils with additional needs while developing your leadership skills in a rewarding specialist setting.

As a HLTA/Cover Supervisor, you'll do far more than cover lessons. You'll lead engaging learning experiences, deliver targeted interventions, support pupils to overcome barriers to learning and help create an environment where every child feels safe, valued and able to succeed.

Working alongside experienced teachers, therapists and a supportive multidisciplinary team, you'll have the opportunity to build meaningful relationships with pupils and make a genuine difference to their academic, social and emotional development. Every day brings new challenges, new successes and the chance to help young people achieve more than they ever thought possible.

Whether you're an experienced Teaching Assistant looking for your next challenge or already working as a HLTA or Cover Supervisor, we'd love to hear from you.

What You'll Be Doing

• Deliver engaging, pre-planned lessons during teacher absence, ensuring pupils remain motivated and engaged in their learning.
• Lead one-to-one and small-group interventions that help pupils achieve their individual learning and personal development goals.
• Adapt learning activities to meet the individual needs of pupils with SEND, helping every learner experience success.
• Promote positive behaviour through consistent, nurturing and relationship-based approaches.
• Monitor, record and report on pupil progress, providing valuable feedback to teachers and the wider team.
• Build positive relationships with pupils, families and colleagues, helping to create a supportive and inclusive school community.
• Support educational visits, enrichment activities and wider school events.
• Work collaboratively with teachers, therapists and pastoral colleagues to deliver outstanding outcomes for every pupil.
• Provide personal care, including toileting and changing, where required, ensuring pupils are always treated with dignity, respect and compassion.

What We're Looking For

We're looking for someone who:

• Has HLTA status or equivalent classroom experience (desirable).
• Is confident leading whole-class learning and supporting pupils to achieve their full potential.
• Has experience working with children or young people, ideally within a SEND, specialist or educational setting.
• Can build positive, trusting relationships with pupils, families and colleagues.
• Is patient, resilient and adaptable, with a calm approach to supporting pupils with additional needs.
• Is passionate about inclusive education and helping every child succeed.
• Enjoys working collaboratively as part of a supportive multidisciplinary team.
• Is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people.

About Us

Our new Options Autism school – Penny Tree – will have capacity for up to 100 pupils and is expected to open for students in the near future.

At Penny Tree School, you will be part of a supportive and forward-thinking team at the very start of an exciting journey. Backed by the expertise of Options Autism and Outcomes First Group, you will benefit from access to a wide professional network, ongoing development opportunities, and the chance to make a meaningful difference to the lives of the pupils we serve.

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

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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