Part-time (0.4) Higher Level Teaching Assistant (HLTA): SEND specialism

Colfe’s School is an academically selective school for pupils aged 3-18 on the borders of Lewisham and Greenwich. An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Higher Level Teaching Assistant to join the Junior School’s team. We therefore welcome applications both from candidates who already possess HLTA qualifications and from candidates who have the appropriate experience and ambition to undertake necessary training. Experience in supporting SEND pupils would be advantageous; a passion for inclusion and supporting academically able pupils with SEND to thrive in school is essential.  

Colfe’s Junior School 

Junior pupils are taught in forms of approximately 20 and achieve outcomes well ahead of comparable local maintained sector schools. Pupils are taught Music, PE and Forest School by specialist teachers from EYFS onward, making use of specialist facilities shared with the Senior School; from Year 3, pupils are also taught by specialist teachers in Science, Art, Humanities, Modern Languages and Computing. The overwhelming majority of our pupils progress from the Junior School to join Colfe’s Senior School in Year 7.  

The number of Junior School pupils receiving support for Special Educational Needs (SEND) is broadly consistent with the average for academically selective independent junior schools. A small number of pupils have an Education Health Care Plan with associated 1:1 support. 

The primary focus of the SEND HLTA will be to provide targeted support to classes and teachers across the Junior School. Much of their time will be spent supporting the core subjects of English and Mathematics, although they will support other subjects as and when required. Their work may involve providing additional support to children struggling with core subjects or stretch and challenge to high flyers; the precise plan will be agreed in response to the needs of the school and the strengths of the successful candidate. The successful candidate will need to build excellent working relationships with our children and their teachers.  

The SEND HLTA would report to the Director of Learning Support. The SEND HLTA will join a team of HLTAs at Colfe’s which include: 

• An HLTA whose primary focus is supporting Forest School, and more broadly, pupils across KS1 and EYFS; 

• Two HLTAs who primarily focus on supporting our SEND pupils; 

• Two HLTAs who lead our Library provision. 

SEND focus:  

Reporting to the Director of Learning Support, the SEND HLTA plays a key role in providing targeted support to children and more broadly in creating a positive, inclusive culture throughout the Junior School which aims to realise the potential of all our children. Key responsibilities include: 

• Support pupils with routines, transitions and behaviour management, responding to incidents in line with the school’s behaviour policy. 

• Support pupils consistently whilst recognising and responding to their individual needs, promoting high self-esteem and independence. 

• To plan, prepare, deliver, asses, report and mark learning activities for individuals and groups and occasionally for whole classes under an agreed system of supervision. 

• Support the teaching of a broad and balanced curriculum aimed at pupils achieving their full potential in all areas of learning. 

• To provide in –class support for pupils with SEND to enable them to access the curriculum. 

• Providing pupils with a calm environment and supporting pupils to regulate. 

• Being a trusted adult for pupils who require a keyworker/secure attachment for pupils to develop their independence in their ability to attend lessons and/or regulate their emotions. 

• Running interventions such as touch typing, reading and spelling groups. 

• Providing a calm environment for pupils to work independently when unable to access a mainstream lesson. 

• Being a point of contact for teaching staff of pupils with SEND 

• Communicate effectively with parents and carers of pupils with SEND, under the direction of teachers 

• Contribute to meetings with parents and carers of pupils with SEND, by providing feedback on pupil progress, attainment and barriers to learning, as directed by teachers 

• Working alongside the Teaching Assistants to advise them and share good practice in support of the pupils with SEND in their classes. 

• Identify pupils who may require ongoing referrals to LST and external professionals. 

• Supporting the Director of Learning Support with SEND administration. 

Application procedure   

The recruitment process will require all applicants to complete an application form, accompanied by a letter of application, current CV and details of two referees, who will be contacted prior to interview, in accordance with the School’s Safer Recruitment procedures. There will be an interview and lesson observation for shortlisted candidates.  

The application should be submitted either by post to: Mrs A Ross, Human Resources, Colfe’s School, Horn Park Lane,  London SE12 8AW or electronically to: recruitment@colfes.com    

Applications should be sent as soon as possible and by Noon on Friday 18 October at the latest. Colfe’s reserves the right to appoint to this post before the closing date if necessary.  

Colfe’s School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. All applicants must be willing to undergo child protection screening, including checks with past employers and the Disclosure & Barring Service.