Higher Level Teaching Assistant (with a specialist subject)

About the role

Our Inclusive Multi Academy Trust has a unique opportunity for an enthusiastic and knowledgeable Higher Level Teaching Assistant (HLTA) to work across two or three of our thriving primary schools (all situated in Watford). We are looking for a qualified HLTA with a specialist subject interest in Computing, Music or Spanish but we would be interested if you had a specialism in another area too.

As a key member of our staff team, you will be delivering lessons to children from Year 1 to Year 6. Using your specialism, you will have the chance to work with our Curriculum Leaders to shape your own sequence of lessons and teach this across the schools. You will have the opportunity to influence our curriculum by sharing your expertise, knowledge and passions. At the same time, you will work collaboratively with staff to continue our work on attentive pastoral care for our children and the whole school community.

This permanent position, for 32.5 hours per week, will begin at 08:30 – 16:00 each day and until 17:00 on a Tuesday to attend Staff CPD. This includes a 1-hour unpaid lunch. There could be some flexibility in these hours, and this can be discussed in advance of interview over the phone or email. You would be expected to attend all INSET days (five per year).

What we are looking for:

• HLTA (or higher) qualification or qualification in progress

• Experience of teaching whole classes, planning and assessing

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills

• Someone with resilience and can cope with occasional changes relating to cover

• Ability to deliver pastoral support within the school to address the needs of pupils who need help to overcome barriers to learning

• A passion or specialism in an area of the curriculum either in Computing, Music, or Spanish.

• A team player – someone who shares the ethos of our trust schools and is passionate about inclusion

Why would you like to work with the Inclusive Multi Academy Trust?

• We have a wonderful, diverse community and celebrate this in our learning and curriculum

• We offer excellent CPD opportunities and invest in the career development of our staff

• We have an experienced, driven leadership team who are willing to mentor, support and listen

• We have a multiskilled and highly dedicated team who put the children first and support one another

• We work closely with our trust to support and share resources, opportunities and ideas

• We buy in to a healthcare plan which includes private medical care and wellbeing care, physiotherapy, stress counselling and lifestyle screening days. In addition, we have a 4-day wellbeing weekend in June.

A visit to any of our schools would be possible if you would like to have a tour. Please contact via email: head@cherrytree.herts.sch.uk or phone 01923 245490 to arrange a suitable time. Further information about our trust can be found on our website www.inclusivemat.co.uk and on our Twitter feed @inclusiveMAT

Prospective candidates are encouraged to submit their applications as soon as possible as the trust reserves the right to close the advertisement early should we feel able to appoint an appropriate candidate.

The Trust is committed to safeguarding children and young people. All postholders are subject to a satisfactory enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check. We require you to disclose any previous criminal convictions or cautions even if they are spent. Please be aware that online searches may be completed as part of our pre-recruitment checks. Shortlisted candidates will be required to complete a Criminal Record Declaration Form prior to interview.

When recruiting and selecting staff, the Trust is required to comply with all relevant employment legislation to ensure we are recruiting within the law as well as complying with the Trust’s Equality Policy. The Selection Criteria document is critical in the process and sets out the requirements which the person appointed should have in order to perform the duties of the post satisfactorily and against which applicants will be assessed. The selection criteria will be used throughout the recruitment process as an objective test of assessing candidates at shortlisting, test and interview stages. Shortlisting will be completed by assessing against the advertised person specification. Our interviews will always include relevant questions relating to teaching and will include questions on child protection and/or safeguarding, behaviour and safety. There will also be an observation element to the selection day and a task.