Higher Level Teaching Assistant
Job description
Original text imported from Reed
HLTA – SEN Provision
Sherborne, Dorset
Full-Time | Long-Term Opportunity | Potential Temp-to-Perm
Start Date: ASAP or September 2026
A specialist SEN provision based in Sherborne is seeking an experienced and confident Higher Level Teaching Assistant (HLTA) to join their team on a long-term basis. The school supports pupils with a range of additional needs, including autism, ADHD, SEMH, and communication difficulties.
This is an excellent opportunity for a committed HLTA who is passionate about supporting children with additional needs in a structured, nurturing, and engaging environment. The position is available for an immediate start, although the school can accommodate a September start for the right candidate.
The role will initially be offered on a long-term agency basis, with the potential to become permanent following a successful placement.
The Role:- Delivering planned interventions and small group sessions
- Supporting teaching and learning across the classroom
- Leading lessons in the absence of the class teacher where required
- Supporting pupils with varying SEN and behavioural needs
- Working closely with teaching staff and the wider pastoral team
- Helping to create a positive and inclusive learning environment
- Hold HLTA status or have relevant classroom leadership experience
- Have previous experience working within SEN settings
- Be confident managing behaviour and supporting pupils with additional needs
- Be adaptable, resilient, and proactive
- Have strong communication and teamwork skills
- Competitive daily pay rates
- Opportunity for a permanent contract
- Support from a dedicated consultant
- Access to ongoing CPD and training opportunities
- A rewarding role within a supportive school environment
All applicants will require the appropriate qualifications and training for this role. Please see the FAQ’s on the Teaching Personnel website for details.
All pay rates quoted will be inclusive of 12.07% statutory holiday pay. This advert is for a temporary position. In some cases, the option to make this role permanent may become available at a later date.
Teaching Personnel is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. We undertake safeguarding checks on all workers in accordance with DfE statutory guidance ‘Keeping Children Safe in Education’ this may also include an online search as part of our due diligence on shortlisted applicants.
We offer all our registered candidates FREE child protection and prevent duty training. All candidates must undertake or have undertaken a valid enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check. Full assistance provided.
For details of our privacy policy, please visit the Teaching Personnel website.
Key skills
AI-extracted from the job advert
Application advice
5 AI-generated recommendations to maximise your chances.
⭐ Highlight your HLTA status prominently at the top of your CV as this is explicitly required for the role
📊 Quantify your SEN experience: 'Supported 12 pupils with autism and ADHD across KS2 classes, improving engagement by 40%'
🌐 Emphasise specific SEN conditions you've worked with (autism, ADHD, SEMH) as these are the school's focus areas
🎯 Include your DBS clearance status and any safeguarding training certificates as these are mandatory requirements
🤝 Showcase examples of leading lessons independently and managing small group interventions as these are key responsibilities
Suggested CV bullets
3 bullets our AI drafted for this specific advert, mirroring its ATS keywords.
Add these 3 bullets under your most recent experience:
- •Led small group interventions for 8 pupils with autism and ADHD, achieving 35% improvement in engagement scores over one academic term
- •Managed challenging behaviour incidents using de-escalation techniques, reducing classroom disruptions by 60% across KS2 classes
- •Delivered independent lessons to classes of 15-20 SEN pupils during teacher absence, maintaining 95% positive behaviour outcomes
Free to copy — tailoring requires a 30-sec CV upload.
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Letter preview — tailored to Teaching Personnel
Dear Hiring Manager,
The HLTA position at your specialist SEN provision in Sherborne immediately caught my attention, particularly your focus on supporting pupils with autism, ADHD and SEMH needs through structured interventions and inclusive learning approaches.
My background in SEN education, combined with my HLTA qualification and extensive experience managing challenging behaviours, positions me well to contribute to your team's success in creating positive learning outcomes for vulnerable pupils.
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Interview questions
10 questions generated from this advert.
Technical
- ›How would you adapt a lesson plan for pupils with autism and ADHD in the same group?
- ›What strategies do you use to manage challenging behaviour in SEN settings?
- ›How do you deliver small group interventions effectively?
- ›What experience do you have with SEMH support strategies?
- ›How do you ensure safeguarding compliance in your daily practice?
Behavioural
- ›Tell me about a time you had to adapt quickly to support a pupil's changing needs
- ›Describe a situation where you had to work closely with teaching staff to support a challenging pupil
- ›Give an example of how you've created an inclusive learning environment
- ›Tell me about a time you had to show resilience when working with SEN pupils
- ›Describe how you've contributed to a positive school culture
STAR answer examples
Model answers using the Situation-Task-Action-Result framework. Adapt to your own experience.
Tell me about a time you had to adapt quickly to support a pupil's changing needs
Describe a situation where you had to work closely with teaching staff to support a challenging pupil