Higher Level Teaching Assistant

Compass Community School Athelstan is an independent specialist school providing high-quality, therapeutic and child-centred education to boys and girls from 7 to 17 years of age in Westbury, Wiltshire.

Our children come from a wide range of backgrounds but all have Social, Emotional and Mental Health needs (SEMH), and many will also have other Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) such as Autism, ADHD, and communication difficulties. Many will have suffered significant trauma and adverse childhood experiences and may have social care involvement. 

The work we do is both varied and challenging and, as a trauma and attachment-informed organisation, all staff are provided with extensive therapeutic training and support.

Our closely triangulated approach places the child at the centre of decision-making, ensuring that education and therapy professionals, parents/carers, local authority teams and, most importantly, our students can work together to secure outstanding outcomes for all. 

The Role 

HLTAs at our school know that no two days are the same and that no two children are the same either. Our children require very special adults who can support children with complex and challenging behaviours. 

They will know that our children require lots of attention, just the right sort of communication, consistency and flexibility in equal measure, and a non-judgmental approach. They need to be resilient, persistent and solution-focused to meet the needs of our children and to do so they need to wear a lot of hats and be prepared to change them at a moment’s notice! 

Our HLTAs may be

• supporting teachers in the classroom
• working with children 1:1 or delivering sessions with small groups of students
• managing classroom resources
• taking children on trips and visits
• having their lunch with children who struggle socially
• managing heightened behaviours and keeping children safe
• playing board games
• conducting science experiments
• making amazing displays
• celebrating success
• part of therapy sessions or reflecting on difficult periods

We want our HLTAs to be part of the decision-making that drives our school, provides outcomes for children and advocates for every child. We welcome their input in developing both the academic curriculum and the opportunities in our extra-curricular offer – bringing their interests and passions to the table. 

Benefits and Rewards

• Extensive training and professional qualification opportunities.
• Small class sizes with specialist TA support.
• The chance to be part of an expanding, national organisation that recognises skill, effort and potential and grows its own leadership teams.
• Enhanced occupational sickness scheme.
• Regular therapeutic and supportive supervision.
• Life assurance scheme.
• Engagement and retention budgets for every staff member.
• Cashback for various medical appointments & treatments including optical and dental with MediCash.
• Win up to £150 per month in our REACH awards.
• Receive £200 (2 years), £400 (5 years) and £600 (10 years) service awards, plus up to £500 special recognition award for outstanding practice.
• Salary sacrifice schemes, including childcare vouchers, technology and cycle to work.

Safeguarding

Compass Community Schools are highly committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. All staff will be expected to hold or be willing to obtain an Enhanced DBS check or Enhanced check for Regulated Activity with the Disclosure & Barring Services(previously the Criminal Records Bureau) and undergo due diligence checks on social media use. 

All school-based staff have the responsibility for promoting the safeguarding and welfare of children. All school staff should be aware of the school’s Child Protection and Safeguarding Policy and work in accordance with this document at all times.

Compass is an equal-opportunity employer that is committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace. As we continue to grow, we know that we must have the most talented employees with diverse backgrounds, cultures, perspectives, and experiences to support our children and young people.