We are seeking to employ a suitably experienced HLTA (TA3 SEN) to work in our Pathways Department. The role will involve covering the Department Leader’s class, 3 days a week and covering some PPA for teachers in Pathways.  Students in this department have severe learning difficulties and many have an additional diagnosis of ASC. Students may present with some challenging behaviours as a result of their significant communication difficulties. 

Our Higher Level Teaching Assistants (HLTAs) play a vital role working alongside our class teachers to support our amazing students to fulfil their potential and to develop their independence skills.

In our Pathways Department the students follow a bespoke Curriculum called the WISERR curriculum. WISERR is an acronym.  The individual letters stand for:-

Wellbeing through...

Independence and co-operation       

Social and functional communication  

Enjoyment                                            

Resilience  and

Regulation             

Visits to the school are welcome, prior to the closing date. 

The ideal candidate will:

• Be child focused and committed to forming and maintaining positive relationships with students. They will have endless patience.
• Be able to communicate effectively with others - students, colleagues, professionals and families; adjusting their communication style to suit the person and the situation.
• Be able to work in a team and to lead a team, including delegating the class team to work and support particular students to promote their learning.  As a team leader they will be an excellent and professional role model to colleagues and students.
• Have excellent behaviour management skills - understanding that challenging behaviours are a form of communication and an indication of unmet needs, 
• Be resilient, self-aware and compassionate - understanding the impact of challenging behaviours on themselves, the student, other students and colleagues; they will know how and when to seek (and accept) support. 
• Have the ability to learn and implement the WISERR curriculum and be able to support students to make progress towards their learning priorities.  They will be able to plan and deliver appropriate and creative learning opportunities for these students, using appropriate approaches to learning.  (Training will be provided)
• Have good ICT skills and will be able to use school systems to record student progress and to record safeguarding and behavioural concerns.  They will work closely with the Department Leader to share appropriate information and support the leader in setting and reviewing targets.

Benefits of working at Woodlands Secondary School

A welcoming and supportive staff team

An extensive induction training programme over a 12 month period.

Free access to Employee Assistance provided by Spectrum - this is confidential support 24 hours a day, 7 days per week

Enhanced pension, employers’ contribution and death in service paymen

Opportunities to progress and develop your career

Free tea and coffee

·         Access to our on site cafe 3 days per week - sit in or take away, Loyalty cards available.  

Opportunity to be entered into a half termly draw to win a cafe voucher - based on good attendance

Access to our onsite gym 

·         Discounted membership rates at Active Luton 

Free eye tests and contribution towards glasses (for those who work on computers)                  

Application form

When completing the letter of application, please ensure that you pay close attention to the person specification and ensure that you address each point. 

Please refer to your actual experience and understanding. 

Please DO NOT use AI (Artificial Intelligence) to complete the application.

Closing Date

The closing date for applications is Tuesday 9th July 2024

This post meets the definition of ‘Regulated Activity’ as defined in the Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006 (as amended).

Because of the nature of this job, it will be necessary for an enhanced DBS check to be undertaken. This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and therefore applicants are required to declare all unspent cautions and convictions; and also any adult cautions (simple or conditional), and spent convictions that are not protected as defined by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (as amended in 2020). A person’s criminal record will not in itself prevent a person from being appointed to this post. Applicants will not be refused posts because of offences which are not relevant to, and do not place them at or make them a risk in, the role for which they are applying. However in the event of the employment being taken up, any failure to disclose such offence, as detailed above, will result in dismissal or disciplinary action by the Authority.

Disclosures are handled in accordance with the DBS Code of Practice which can be accessed via www.disclosure.gov.uk

It is an offence to apply for a role working in regulated activity if you are barred from working with children.