Higher Level Teaching Assistant

Full Job Description

At OFG we allow for greater work life balance and extra time to do the things you love outside work

Job Title:  Higher Level Teaching assistant
Location:  Overton School, Ludlow, SY8 4AD
Hours:      40 hours per week | Monday–Friday | 8.30am - 4.30pm
Salary:      £25,000 per annum (not pro rata)
Contract:  Permanent | Term Time Only
Start:         October 2026
UK applicants only – no sponsorship available

About the Role

Ready to Take the Next Step in Your SEND Career? If you’re an experienced Teaching Assistant or HLTA who is ready for greater responsibility, more involvement in learning and the opportunity to develop others, this could be the role for you.

At Overton School, we’re looking for a confident and experienced Higher Level Teaching Assistant to play an important role in helping autistic pupils and those with additional and complex needs re engage with education and recognise what they can achieve.

You’ll work closely with teachers and our wider multidisciplinary team, taking an active role in planning and delivering learning, leading targeted interventions and covering lessons when required. You’ll also support and mentor Teaching Assistants, sharing your experience and helping create consistently high quality support across the school.

What you will be doing

• Plan, prepare and deliver engaging learning activities and lessons, including providing lesson cover when required
• Lead targeted interventions and adapt learning around individual strengths, needs and starting points
• Monitor pupil progress and provide meaningful feedback to teachers to inform future learning
• Support pupils to develop confidence, independence, emotional wellbeing and positive approaches to behaviour
• Contribute to individual education plans, behaviour strategies and personalised pupil documentation
• Build positive and trusting relationships with pupils, helping them overcome barriers and engage with education
• Mentor and support Teaching Assistants, modelling effective practice and sharing your experience
• Work collaboratively with teachers, therapists and other professionals to achieve positive outcomes for pupils

What you will bring

This role would suit someone who already has strong SEND experience and is confident taking on additional responsibility within the classroom.

You’ll need:

• Level 3 Teaching Assistant qualification or equivalent teaching qualification
• Experience working as an HLTA within SEND
• GCSE Maths and English at Grade 4 or C or above, or equivalent
• Experience supporting children with Autism and additional learning needs, including behaviour that may challenge
• Experience planning and delivering learning activities or lessons
• The ability to adapt learning while encouraging pupils to become more confident and independent
• Strong communication, organisation and IT skills
• The ability to build positive relationships and work collaboratively with colleagues
• A driving licence

About Us

Overton School provides specialist education in a nurturing, therapeutic setting for autistic young people and those with learning disabilities and complex needs. Set in the Shropshire countryside near Ludlow, the school offers personalised learning within a sensitively adapted Victorian building and outdoor-rich environment. We support pupils to re-engage with education, build confidence, and develop independence. Working closely with families, Overton empowers every learner to celebrate their individuality and achieve positive outcomes.

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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