HLTA (Special School)

Job description

Shaw Education Trust
Hours: Monday to Friday - 35 hours per week - 38 weeks plus 5 inset days (39 in total)
Contract type: FTC until 31st August 2027
Location: St Andrew's View, Breadsall Hilltop, Derby

We are looking for a passionate, experienced and highly motivated Higher Level Teaching Assistant (HLTA) to join our specialist school community at St Andrew's View, Breadsall Hilltop, Derby.

Our main site is home to students predominantly in Key Stage 3 and Key Stage 4, alongside a small number of students aged 16-19. We are committed to providing a safe, supportive and aspirational environment where every young person is encouraged to achieve their potential, develop their independence and prepare for life beyond school.

As a Grade 8 HLTA, you will play a key role in supporting high-quality teaching and learning across the school. You will work closely with teachers and the wider pastoral and support teams, taking an active role in delivering learning, supporting individual students and helping to create a positive and inclusive learning environment.

As our HLTA, you will:
• Work alongside teaching staff to deliver high-quality learning and support for students.
• Lead learning activities and classes when required, in line with agreed planning and curriculum objectives.
• Provide targeted support for students with a range of additional and complex needs.
• Support students to develop their academic, social, emotional and life skills.
• Adapt learning activities and approaches to meet individual student needs.
• Build positive, trusting relationships with students and encourage their confidence, independence and resilience.
• Support behaviour management and contribute to maintaining a calm, safe and purposeful learning environment.
• Work collaboratively with teachers, support staff, families and external professionals where appropriate.
• Monitor student progress and provide feedback to teaching staff.
• Support the development and implementation of individual learning and support strategies.
• Contribute to the wider life of the school and participate fully in the school community.
• Act as a positive role model, maintaining high expectations for all students.

We are looking for someone who is:
• An experienced Teaching Assistant or HLTA with a strong understanding of supporting young people with additional needs.
• Confident in leading learning and working independently when required.
• Able to build strong and positive relationships with students.
• Calm, patient, resilient and consistent in their approach.
• Creative and flexible, with the ability to adapt their approach to meet individual needs.
• Able to manage challenging situations professionally and sensitively.
• A strong communicator who works effectively as part of a multidisciplinary team.
• Committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people.
• Passionate about helping every student achieve their potential, regardless of their starting point.

St Andrew's is a day special school for pupils with severe learning difficulties and ASD aged 11 -19 years. Our Special settings cater for children and young people with a wide range of Special Educational Needs from children with profound medical needs and life limiting conditions, those with severe, moderate and sensory needs through to young people with social emotional and mental health needs that require support and understanding to help them to navigate their world.

Please note, St Andrew's Academy is a school that is based over two sites. During your employment at our school, you may be asked to work at either site, but any moves would be discussed with yourself prior.

Our main site is based at St Andrew's View, Breadsall Hilltop, Derby, DE21 4EW and most students on site are in Key Stage 3 and Key Stage 4 with a small number of students who are aged 16-19.

Our FE (Further Education) Campus is based at 66 Whitaker Road, Derby, DE23 6AR. All students here are aged 16-19 and this site is based close to the city centre.

All candidates are required to provide a supporting statement on the formal application forms which states clearly your reasons for applying skills and experience for this position.

At Shaw Education Trust, we believe every role has the power to transform a life. Whether you're supporting behind the scenes, inspiring in the classroom, or leading with vision, you will be part of something truly meaningful.

Our values-opportunity, integrity, community, and equity-guide everything we do. Our vision is "Opening doors to the world through the power of learning." We bring this to life through our mission: working together to inspire communities where every school is valued, every voice matters, and every learner thrives.

We are a dynamic and growing family of primary, secondary, and special schools, proudly serving communities from Birmingham to Bury.

Our people are our greatest asset, and we are deeply committed to their development through high-quality training, apprenticeships, talent development programmes, and research opportunities, we empower our staff to thrive as skilled, confident professionals. We champion wellbeing, value every voice, and foster a culture where you feel supported, motivated, and inspired to make a real difference.

You will join a collaborative network of schools where shared expertise and a strong professional community drive success. Every academy within our Trust has an equal voice, and every colleague plays a vital role in shaping tailored learning experiences that raise aspirations and build brighter futures.

If you have the passion, dedication, and drive to help shape lives and create futures filled with promise, we would love you to join our team.

Together, let's make the remarkable happen.

We believe every child has the potential to be extraordinary.
Make a life-changing difference in one of our special schools.
Our special schools are inspiring, welcoming and truly life-changing places to work. Every day, our dedicated teams help children and young people with a wide range of special educational needs and disabilities to discover their strengths, achieve their ambitions and live happy, fulfilling lives.

Our pupils include children and young people with profound and multiple learning disabilities, complex medical needs, sensory impairments, moderate and severe learning difficulties, and social, emotional and mental health needs. Every pupil is unique, and every achievement and milestone is recognised and celebrated.
By joining one of our special schools, you will become part of a warm, compassionate and highly skilled team, united by a shared belief in what every child and young person can achieve. You will work in a supportive environment where relationships matter, ideas are welcomed and every role makes an important contribution.
Whether you join us as a teacher, teaching assistant, healthcare professional or as part of our administration, facilities or operational teams, you will have the opportunity to develop your skills, learn from experienced colleagues and build a rewarding career in special education.

Our pupils learn in small classes and benefit from personalised education, care and support shaped around their individual strengths, needs and aspirations. Together, our teams help pupils develop their knowledge, communication, independence and confidence, while preparing them for adulthood and their future lives.

Working in one of our special schools is much more than a job. It is an opportunity to join an extraordinary community and make a lasting difference to children, young people and their families.
Join us and help transform lives, including your own.

Please visit our Careers site for more information on St Andrew's Academy St Andrew's Academy (standrewsacademy.co.uk)

Shaw Education Trust offer the following employee benefits with your Teaching or Support Staff employment:
• An excellent Local Government Pension Scheme (Support Staff)/Teachers Pension (Teaching Staff)
• Support Staff only based on working full time, all year - Generous holiday entitlement from your first day of employment (37 days holiday rising to 39 days after 5 years' service including Bank Holidays)
• Access to Medicash Health & Wellbeing Plan: Enjoy health services designed to support your well-being.
• Free DiscountForTeachers Scheme for all staff (Support and Teaching), Exclusive discounts to save money with a wide selection of discounts and exclusive offers from hundreds of the biggest brands.
• Free Eye Tests
• Cycle to work scheme
• Access to our Institute of Education and fantastic opportunities to help you grow, contribute and flourish in your role and in the Trust.

We know our people are the key to our success and so we're committed to ensuring the employment experience at Shaw Education Trust is a rewarding one.

Colleagues within the Trust benefit from: Access to a full range of courses both in-house and professionally accredited. These courses include a variety of the National Professional Qualifications and the Early Carer Teacher Programme delivered by Shaw Education Trust as a delivery partner for Ambition Institute.

• Experienced leadership and subject-specific support.
• Guidance from former HMIs and serving Ofsted Inspectors within the Trust.
• Access to the Trust's Institute of Education and SCITT.
• Opportunities to work with different schools within the Trust as a Professional Advocate.
• Participating in peer reviews.
• Access to a suite of online courses.
• Placement projects within our family of schools.

Safer Recruitment & Equal Opportunities Statement

St Andrews Academy is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment, click here to review Safeguarding and Pupil Protection Policy https://www.shaw-education.org.uk/our-trust/key-information

This position is subject to robust vetting procedures, including an online search for all shortlisted candidates, in line with our Trust's commitment to safer recruitment. An enhanced criminal record check from the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS), is required. You will be asked to disclose all relevant unspent and, where applicable, unfiltered spent reprimands, formal warnings, cautions, and convictions.

As part of our safer recruitment and pre-employment checking process, all shortlisted candidates are required to provide original documentation to verify their identity, qualifications and right to work in the UK. Shaw Education Trust requires all applicants to be eligible to work in the UK with no restrictions as we are unable to offer sponsorship/work visas. You will be required to provide proof of Right to Work at interview stage and if you are offered a job position with us.

This role involves working with children and young people and therefore carries specific safeguarding responsibilities, details of these responsibilities are set out in the job description and person specification. This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974, and the successful applicant will be required to disclose relevant criminal history information in accordance with current legislation and guidance.

Check if you need to tell someone about your criminal record: https://www.gov.uk/tell-employer-or-college-about-criminal-record/what-information-you-need-to-give

Shaw Education Trust is an Equal Opportunities employer. We are fully committed to ensuring that our recruitment and selection processes promote equality, diversity, and inclusion at every stage.

To apply and for more information HLTA Aplpy now

In accordance with our safer recruitment policy CVs alone will not be accepted.

Application deadline: Thursday, 24th September 2026 at 9am
Interview date: Thursday, 1st October 2026

We reserve the right to appoint before the closing date as we review applications on an on-going basis and interviews may be arranged as suitable candidates are identified, therefore, we encourage early applications.

Successful candidates will be subject to a fully Enhanced DBS check along with other relevant employment checks.

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