Habs has been awarded Independent School of the Year 2025, with Haberdashers’ Elstree Schools receiving both the award for Outstanding Educational Partnerships and the overall top accolade of Independent School of the Year 2025. This recognition reflects our long-term commitment to social impact and the deep, sustained collaborations we continue to build with our state sector partners. It is an exciting time to join our community.

We are seeking an exceptional Higher Level Teaching Assistant specialising in SEND to join us at Haberdashers' Girls' School. The principal role of the Higher-Level Teaching Assistant (HLTA) is to provide highly skilled support for students, teachers, and the School to raise learning standards for pupils with Special Educational Needs & Disabilities (SEND).

This is a senior support role requiring significant experience in working with pupils with a wide range of needs. The HLTA will play a central role in identifying barriers to learning, assisting with the internal diagnostic process, supporting the creation and delivery of Individual Needs Plans, and contributing to statutory processes such as Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs), annual reviews, and exam access arrangements.

Suitable for candidates seeking either full-time or part-time roles.

Role will include, but not be limited to, the following responsibilities:

• Work as a key member of the Individual Needs Team, providing expert learning support to SEND pupils across the School.

• Establish productive working relationships with pupils and teachers, acting as a role model and setting high expectations.

• Provide targeted support for identified pupils to enable them to access the curriculum and make progress against their targets, including literacy, numeracy, communication, and social and behavioural needs.

• Use knowledge and experience to support with initial assessments, assist with the diagnosis of needs, and work collaboratively with teachers and external professionals to ensure appropriate provision is in place.

• Play a central role in the creation, implementation, and review of Individual Needs Plans, ensuring they are tailored to each pupil and monitored for impact.

• Contribute to the statutory SEND process by providing information for EHCP applications, participating in annual reviews, and liaising with parents, carers, and external agencies as appropriate.

Person specification

Essential 

• Significant experience supporting children and young people with SEND across a range of needs.

• Experience contributing to the identification, assessment, and diagnosis of learning difficulties and additional needs.

• Proven ability to support the development, implementation, and monitoring of Individual Needs Plans.

• Experience of working with teachers, parents, and external professionals to support SEND pupils.

• Experience supporting or contributing to Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs), annual reviews, and associated documentation.

• Experience delivering targeted small[1]group and one-to-one interventions.

• Experience in record-keeping, reporting, and monitoring pupil progress.

• HLTA status, Level 4 Teaching Assistant qualification, or equivalent relevant experience.

Desirable 

• Previous experience in an independent school or similar educational setting.

• Experience supporting exam access arrangements and familiarity with JCQ regulations.

• Training in specific SEND approaches/interventions (e.g. dyslexia, autism, ADHD, speech and language, social and emotional needs).

• Training in exam access arrangements (JCQ regulations).

• Confidence in training or mentoring colleagues on SEND strategies.

• Ability to use technology creatively to support learning and record-keeping.

What we offer:

• A competitive salary, commensurate with the candidate’s experience

• Private Pension Scheme through Aegon with generous employer contributions

• Additional life insurance cover

• Access to the Employee Assistance Programme (EAP), providing confidential support and advice

• Extensive professional development training opportunities

• Free lunch and refreshments

• Free onsite parking and access to travel on the schools extensive coach network

• Free access to state-of-the-art sports facilities including the gym, swimming pool, and fitness classes

• Wellbeing initiatives and programmes, such as yoga, mindfulness sessions, and health checks

• Access to an online GP service, providing quick and convenient healthcare advice

• Access to Vivup, the staff benefits platform, featuring discounts, financial advice, and wellbeing resources

• Cycle-to-Work Scheme and other green travel incentives including Octopus Electric Vehicles

Applications will be reviewed as they arrive, and we reserve the right to close this vacancy sooner, please apply as soon as possible.

Haberdashers’ Elstree' Schools are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. The successful candidate will be subject to a Disclosure and Barring Service enhanced check. The post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and the School is therefore permitted to ask job applicants to declare all convictions and cautions (including those which are "spent" unless they are "protected" under the DBS filtering rules) in order to assess their suitability to work with children.