Job Title                   Higher Level Teaching Assistant (SEN specialist)

Employment Status:    Permanent

Working Hours:                   37 hours per week, term time only plus 5 days

Actual Salary:             £22,680 - £26,173 pro rata, per annum

Full time equivalent salary:  Support Staff Pay Scale Grade 4 (£25,598 - £29,540 FTE)

Required:                  ASAP

Location:                  Coventry

About the role

We are seeking to appoint a highly motivated, enthusiastic SEN Higher Level Teaching Assistant (HLTA) to join our school. They will work collaboratively with the responsible class teacher by utilising advanced knowledge and specialist skills to undertake 'specified work' and provide care and supervision to children/young peoplewith special educational needs.

We are looking for someone who has:

·        Relevant Level 3 Teaching Assistant qualification or equivalent experience.

• A good standard of education, including English and Maths (GCSE/Level 2).
• Experience working with primary-aged pupils and in classroom settings.
• Strong behaviour management skills and the ability to work independently or in a team.
• A role model for students, maintaining high standards of conduct.

All staff are expected to know what to do if they have concerns about a child, take on the responsibility for providing a safe environment and promoting children’s welfare, undertake regular safeguarding and child protection training and, familiarise themselves with KCSIE part 1 and local policies and procedures as directed by the trust/academy.

About us

Frederick Bird is a large primary school serving the Hillfields area of Coventry. We are proud of our vibrant community, which includes a high percentage of pupils with EAL, SEND, and those eligible for pupil premium. Our aim is to provide a high-quality education that prepares our children for their next steps and beyond.

Our vibrant community is celebrated and reflected in our curriculum offer which provides children with a wide range of memorable experiences and values their individuality and heritage. All children regardless of disability, race religion, belief or gender are encouraged to reach their full potential, uphold British values and embrace the rich cultural diversity of our community.

We are a truly inclusive school and expect the highest standards of learning, behaviour and attendance from our children. Through our partnerships with parents, we aim for all children to be the best learners they can be.

We are a member of Inspire Education Trust, a Coventry-based multi-academy trust which sets out to provide an environment where both staff and students can thrive and put children at the heart of everything we do.

Why work for us?

A career at Inspire Education Trust offers a rewarding future, with the opportunity to make a real impact on the lives and outcomes of our young people. We work hard to provide an environment which places staff wellbeing at the forefront of the agenda, as well as providing ample opportunities for personal and professional development.

As such, we offer a portfolio of benefits designed to enhance and support the working lives of our staff. These include, but are not limited to:

•        A highly supportive and committed senior leadership team

•        Employee Assistance Programme which offers 24/7 confidential advice and support on a range of matters and free access to accredited counsellors

•        A focus on staff wellbeing including a network of wellbeing champions and a supportive working environment

•        Opportunity to join a committed and forward-thinking team of staff

•        Employee Benefits platform providing staff access to a range of benefits such as shopping discounts

How to apply:

All applications must be received electronically via our My New Term page: https://www.ietrust.org/vacancies/

If you have any queries about the post, or to arrange a school visit, please email Emma Cafferty - Office Manager Emma.Cafferty@frederickbirdacademy.org

Closing date:  Wednesday 22^nd April noon 2026

Interview date:  Wednesday 29^th April 2026

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and appointments will be subject to rigorous safeguarding checks including enhanced DBS and references. The postholder must share our commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. Candidates who have been successfully shortlisted will be asked to complete a self-declaration to confirm any (non-protected) criminal disclosures or information that would make them unsuitable to work with children.

The post is exempt from the rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and the amendments to the Exceptions Order 1975, 2013 and 2020. Which means that when applying for certain jobs and activities certain spent convictions and cautions are ‘protected’, so they do not need to be disclosed to employers, and if they are disclosed, employers cannot take them into account. Further information about filtering offences can be found in the DBS filtering guide.

We aim to recruit the very best staff and welcome those from all backgrounds, communities and faiths (including non-faith individuals). Inspire Education Trust is clear about its responsibilities in embracing diversity and ensuring we recruit people of a high calibre based on their skills, abilities, and experience. As such, we welcome applications from a diverse range of candidates.

The role of HLTA (SEN Specialist)  will be classed as regulated activity. Any offer of employment will be conditional until satisfactory completion of all mandatory pre-employment checks. It is an offence to apply for this role if barred from engaging in regulating activity relevant to children.

Following recommendations from Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE) for an additional pre-employment check, with effect of 1^st September 2022, please note an online search may form part of this recruitment process.