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Job Title: Higher Level Teaching Assistant
Location: Red Kite School, Princes Risborough, Buckinghamshire, HP27 0JW
Hours: 40 hours per week | Monday to Friday
Salary: Up to £26,375 per annum (depending on experience, not pro rata)
Contract: Permanent | Term Time Only
Start: January 2027
UK applicants only – no sponsorship available
About the Role
Are you an experienced Higher Level Teaching Assistant looking for a role where you can make a genuine difference every day?
At Red Kite School, you'll be more than a classroom support professional, you'll be a trusted mentor, role model and key member of our specialist team, helping pupils with Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH) needs overcome barriers, build confidence and achieve more than they ever thought possible.
Working in a therapeutic, nurturing environment, you'll have the opportunity to lead learning, deliver engaging lessons, mentor colleagues and work alongside experienced teachers, therapists and pastoral staff to help every pupil reach their full potential.
This is a fantastic opportunity for an experienced HLTA who is ready to take on greater responsibility while continuing to make a lasting impact on the lives of children and young people.
What you will be doing:
- Deliver engaging lessons, interventions and planned learning activities, including covering classes when required.
- Support pupils with SEMH needs to access learning, build confidence and achieve their individual goals.
- Use therapeutic, trauma-informed approaches to promote positive behaviour and emotional regulation.
- Monitor, assess and record pupil progress, providing meaningful feedback to teachers and the wider team.
- Help develop and implement personalised learning, behaviour and pastoral support plans.
- Mentor and support Teaching Assistants, sharing best practice and promoting high-quality classroom support.
- Work collaboratively with teachers, therapists, families and external professionals to achieve the best possible outcomes for every pupil.
- Create a calm, inclusive and inspiring learning environment where pupils feel safe, respected and motivated to succeed.
What you will bring:
We're looking for someone who:
- Holds a recognised Level 3 HLTA qualification or an equivalent teaching qualification.
- Has GCSE English and Maths (Grade 4/C or above, or equivalent).
- Has experience working within an SEMH or specialist education setting.
- Is confident delivering lessons, leading interventions and supporting pupils with a wide range of learning and behavioural needs.
- Can build positive, trusting relationships with pupils through a therapeutic, nurturing approach.
- Is an excellent communicator who enjoys working collaboratively as part of a multidisciplinary team.
- Is organised, resilient and passionate about helping every young person achieve their full potential.
About Us
Red Kite School is an independent special school for up to 60 young people aged 11–18 with Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH) needs.
Opened in September 2024, the school is located in the beautiful market town of Princes Risborough, Buckinghamshire. We provide a safe, nurturing and supportive environment where every young person is understood, valued and encouraged to thrive.
Our experienced team creates a calm, structured environment where pupils build confidence, resilience and achieve positive outcomes through personalised learning, high expectations and strong relationships.
Our curriculum develops the knowledge, emotional resilience, social communication and life skills pupils need to succeed in education, their communities and beyond, helping every young person become a confident learner, responsible citizen and prepared for their future.
Acorn Education offers rewarding careers and meaningful challenges while making a real difference in young people’s lives. As a leading UK provider of specialist education for children and young people with special educational needs, and part of Outcomes First Group, we deliver innovative, evidence-based approaches that support measurable progress and lasting impact.
We are really proud to say that in 2025 Outcomes First Group were officially certified as a ‘Great Place to Work’ for the sixth year running.
Why Join Us?
We place pupils and vulnerable young adults at the heart of everything we do, so every day brings the satisfaction of making a real difference. We are committed to the safeguarding and promoting the welfare of pupils and young people. All applicants will be subject to social media checks and successful applicants to a fully enhanced DBS.
- Life Assurance
- Pension scheme with options to increase contributions
- “Your Wellbeing Matters” – mental health support and physical health checks
- Flexible Benefits Platform (Vista), including:
- Health, wellbeing and insurance benefits
- Hundreds of UK and international discounts
- Cycle to Work Scheme & Electric Car Purchase Scheme
- Critical illness cover
- Family Growth Support, including enhanced maternity/paternity leave and paid fertility treatment support
We reserve the right to close the vacancy early if we receive a high volume of suitable applications.
Outcomes First Group is committed to carrying out a fair, thorough and efficient recruitment process in line with Keeping Children Safe in Education. Whilst we aim to keep applicants informed throughout, Outcomes First Group does not accept liability for any loss of earnings or other associated costs incurred by applicants as a result of delays or changes in the compliance process. All stages of the compliance process are subject to necessary safeguarding checks and compliance with statutory requirements, which may affect timescales.
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