Higher Level Teaching Assistant (SEND)

Salary: NJC 12 - 17 £20,525 - £22,265 (Actual Salary) - £27,711 - £30,060 (FTE) + well-being cash plan + pension scheme (LGPS) + additional Lift Schools benefits
Hours: 32.5 hours a week, (38.4 weeks per year)
Contract: Permanent
Start date: September 2025

Join our team at Meadstead Primary Academy and help shape the very start of a child's learning journey. We're looking for an experienced and passionate Higher Level Teaching Assistant (HLTA) to support within our specialist SEND provision. The role will directly focus on our SEND children, working alongside teachers and other TAs to ensure the very best educational experience for all of our children.

About the role

In this HLTA role, you'll work closely with our SEND teachers and TAs to help deliver an ambitious curriculum, creating a safe, stimulating and inclusive environment for every child. You'll lead sessions, cover lessons, and guide pupils through key developmental stages - giving them the strongest possible start. From time to time, in the absence of the teache,r you may organise and supervise the provision and the other teaching assistants.

Our HLTA's will:

• Plan and deliver small group interventions and cover whole-class sessions when required
• Support with assessment and observations to inform planning
• Encourage children's social and emotional development
• Build strong relationships with families, supporting parental involvement
• Line manage or supervise other TAs where appropriate

Requirement for the role:

• Level 4 Higher Level Teaching assistant qualified
• Experienced in a range of SEND strategies
• SEND knowledge and awareness
• Motivated and passionate about supporting SEND children within our schools to ensure the very best education for them.

We value the skills and dedication of our teaching assistants. To support the best outcomes for our students, as a HLTA we require a level 4 Higher Level Teaching Assistant qualification (or equivalent). If you don't yet hold this qualification but you do have the relevant experience and hold a level 3 Teaching Assistant qualification, don't worry! We'll invest in your development by enrolling you in one of our Teaching Assistant Apprenticeship Programmes, helping you gain the behaviours, skills and experience you need to thrive in the role.

Please note, this role is not eligible for visa sponsorship. You must have the right to work in the UK.

About Meadstead Primary Academy
Meadstead is a proud and ambitious school serving a diverse community in Barnsley. We're dedicated to creating an inspiring, inclusive learning environment where children thrive emotionally, socially and academically. We have a strong EYFS and SEND offer and are committed to ensuring every child is ready to flourish across all levels of the school and beyond.

Our team is close-knit, committed and passionate about improving lives through education. Our recent developments in the SEND curriculum have created exciting opportunities for a skilled HLTA to make a real impact.

Who is Lift Schools?

We're a diverse and inclusive network of schools with one clear mission; to provide an excellent education to every child - in every classroom, every day. And we do this across each of our 57 schools. As with our students, we want our team to be empowered to do their best work, supported by the best leadership they've ever had.

We acknowledge and appreciate the exceptional efforts of everyone here in making this an incredible organisation.

We offer you:

• Comprehensive training: Access a wide range of developmental training to boost your career.
• Generous benefits: From your pension plan to healthcare and financial support, we've got you covered.
• Lifestyle perks: Enjoy discounted gym memberships, travel deals, and even electric vehicle incentives.

Closing date: 6th July

We reserve the right to close this vacancy early should we receive an overwhelming response. All candidates are advised to refer to the job description and person specification before making an application.

Lift Schools are committed to ensuring the highest levels of safeguarding and promoting the welfare of our pupils, and we expect all our people and volunteers to share this commitment. We adopt a fair and consistent recruitment process which is inline with Keeping Children Safe in Education guidance. This includes online checks for shortlisted candidates. All offers of employment are subject to an Enhanced DBS check, references, and where applicable, a prohibition from teaching check.

Lift Schools embraces diversity and promotes equality of opportunity. Job share, part-time and flexible working opportunities will be considered.

We are a Disability Confident Employer and there is a guaranteed interview scheme for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.