Salary: Grade 9, Point 19: £24,769 per annum

Contract: Fixed Term until July 2026, 32.5 hours per week, 39 weeks per year (term time plus inset days)

The salary quoted reflects the annual salary for the position at the time of advertising. Payment will be made in equal monthly instalments and will be adjusted at the start of employment, and again if employment ends partway through the school year, to ensure the correct salary is paid for work completed during the academic year.

We are seeking a dedicated, compassionate and highly skilled Higher Level Teaching Assistant (HLTA) to provide consistent 1:1 support for a student with Autism, ADHD, significant anxiety and dyslexia. This is a rewarding opportunity for an experienced SEND practitioner who is passionate about inclusive education and committed to helping neurodiverse young people thrive both academically and emotionally.

The successful candidate will provide high-quality, tailored support throughout the school day—both within mainstream lessons and through targeted out-of-class interventions. You will play a key role in ensuring the student can:

• Access learning confidently and successfully
• Maintain emotional wellbeing
• Develop independence and resilience
• Achieve their EHCP outcomes

You will model outstanding inclusive practice and work collaboratively with teaching staff, pastoral teams and the SENCO to adapt learning and remove barriers.

Building a secure, trusting and professional relationship with the student will be central to this role.

To find out more about the benefits of working for SAST, click here

For more information about our school, please click here to view our careers page.

We warmly welcome visits to the School. If you would like to arrange a tour, please contact Caroline Rabbetts, Office Manager, at CMR@gryphon.dorset.sch.uk or by phone at 01935 810101, who will be happy to assist you.

SAST will conduct online searches of shortlisted candidates. In line with KCSIE guidance, this will be part of safer recruitment checks, and the search will purely be based on whether an individual is suitable to work with children. As care must be taken to avoid unconscious bias and any risk of discrimination, a person who will not be on the appointment panel will conduct the searches and will only share information if and when findings are relevant and of concern. 

Safeguarding responsibilities associated with this role may include engagement in regulatory activity, such as administering first aid or supporting an upset child.  It will have contact with young people on a day-to-day basis.  SAST is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.  The successful candidate will have to meet the person specification and the post is subject to safeguarding checks, including an enhanced DBS check and Children’s Barred List check.  The post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and the amendments to the Exceptions Order 1975, 2013 and 2020. 

SAST recognises the benefit of having a diverse workforce and is committed to building a workforce which reflects diversity from the communities it serves. SAST values the contributions from all staff from a wide range of different backgrounds and actively seeks to promote an environment that is free from discrimination and harassment and at the same time supports fair promotion and cultural acceptance. Under the provision of the Equality Act 2010 SAST welcomes applications from everyone and operates a recruitment process which is fair and does not discriminate against or disadvantage anyone because of their age, disability, gender reassignment status, marriage or civil partnership status, pregnancy or maternity, race or nationality, religion or belief, sex, or sexual orientation.  

This role is UK- based and your right to work will need to be established as part of the appointment process.