Higher Level Teaching Assistant

HIGHER LEVEL TEACHING ASSISTANT

Location: Tokers Green, Reading
Salary: £14.77ph - £16.13ph (actual annual salary = £26,390 - £28,821 per year) Dependant on experience and qualifications           
Contract: Permanent  

Hours: 40 hours per week, term time only

Start date: September 2025

Aurora Rowan School

Part of the Aurora Group, Aurora Rowan School in Tokers Green, Reading, Berkshire opened in November 2024, supporting young people aged 6 -16 with a diagnosis of Autism spectrum disorder, moderate to Severe Learning needs and associated difficulties, who require an individualised, specialist approach.

We are a passionate team that put the opportunity to provide the best possible outcomes for our children and young people in their preparation for adult life at the centre of all we do and our decision making. At Aurora Rowan School  it is our aim to raise standards by promoting a school ethos which is underpinned by core values. These values support the development of the whole child as an effective and engaged learner within a calm, caring, happy and purposeful atmosphere The support we will provide enables each of our students to engage and progress at their own level within a learning environment designed to help them achieve their full potential as they reach adulthood.

We are looking for team members who feel they can demonstrate our values. 

Staff at Aurora Rowan:

• Value all the children.
• Display great patience and listen carefully to children.
• Focus on and emphasise the positive.
• Face reality and help pupils to come to terms with difficult issues as they arise
• Only disapprove of poor behaviour, never the child.
• Try to make time for one another.
• Are mutually supportive.
• Speak quietly and avoid shouting.
• Are valued by the governors and the community.
• Have a good sense of humour.
• Communicate with parents to ensure that they appreciate the school’s values and to ensure that there is a common understanding.

In order for the school’s purpose to be effective and for the values to be meaningful to the pupils, the staff understand that the basic needs of children are:

• To feel secure and know clearly what is expected of them.
• To be valued.
• To have a balance of activities – active/passive; quiet/talking; communicating/reflective; taught skills/exploratory work.
• To have help to develop relationships.
• To develop self-awareness and a knowledge of the world outside of themselves.
• To have creative experiences, including external exploration and internal reflection.
• To be fully involved in the process of education.

Opportunity

We are currently looking to recruit a Higher Level teaching Assistant (HLTA) to join our expanding team and work alongside the Education Team to aid the smooth running of the school. 

This is an exciting opportunity to join a new venture in a school that will grow with you. You will be a part of a Brand-New School set up. It is an opportunity for you to help shape the provision and develop the school to be the best that it can be.

Job Summary

The purpose of the Higher Level Teaching Assistant is to support the Class teacher with all elements of the day to day running of the class and to teach whole classes, groups and individual lessons in consultation with the Class Teacher on a regular basis across a range of classes.

To support and deputise the teacher in their absence in all areas including:

• Pupil Welfare and Safeguarding
• Supporting Teaching and Learning
• Pupils Attainment and Progress              
• Monitoring and Recording
• Supporting TA’s and prompting career development

Please note that duties will vary and you will be expected to contribute to the overall aims of Aurora Rowan School when required, Please see the link below for our full job description:.

Job Description - HLTA

Qualifications

• The Higher Level Teaching Assistant Diploma or equivalent Level 4 qualification or demonstrate equivalent skill level.
• GCSE pass above C (or 4 in the new GCSE system) in English and Maths

Knowledge and Experience

• Relevant knowledge and experience of pupils with SEN, SLD/ASD
• Understanding of the Safeguarding principles and Child Protection procedures
• Experience of managing a range of approaches to behaviour, including managing behaviours that challenge.
• Experience working within education
• Experience of working within a multi-cultural, inclusive setting

Skills and Behaviours

• Commitment to the role, the desire to put the child first and treat them as an individual
• Be positive and creative in meeting pupils’ needs
• Work on your own as well as part of a team
• Work collaboratively with other staff and professionals with good interpersonal skills
• Good numeracy and literacy skills
• Competent ICT skills
• Be flexible, adaptable and solution focused.
• Able to work within the parameters of the physical demands of the job role.

What we Offer

Be part of our successful team and also benefit from a generous package that includes:

• Life assurance
• Enhanced pension scheme 
• Perkbox - offering high street discounts
• Employee assistance programme
• Car lease scheme
• Fully funded training and qualifications
• Bike to work scheme
• Free membership to our Health cash back plan - Claim back money on services such as dental, optical, physio and many more.

How to apply

Ready to make a difference? Apply online by completing our online application form.  For more information on this position please contact Liz liz.hudson@the-aurora-group.com

Successful applicants will be subject to pre-employment safeguarding checks including an enhanced disclosure and barring service (DBS) check.

The post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and the Aurora Group is therefore permitted to ask job applicants to declare all convictions and cautions (including those which are "spent" unless they are "protected" under the DBS filtering rules) in order to assess their suitability to work with children.

The Aurora Group is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of the children and young adults in our care and is a disability and equal opportunities employer.

Closing Date: The role will remain open until it is filled - Please apply early as we may close the role when we have a suitable level of interest. 

Please note that candidates that are shortlisted might be subject to an online search.