The Role of the HLTA:
The main purpose of this role is to bridge the gap between mainstream education and the specialised SEND provision located in our BASE SSC - a specialist support centre for 19 students with a diagnosis of autism. This role is vital in overseeing the provision and ensuring students can access a mainstream setting.
This role will also involve working collaboratively with the SENCO, teachers and the SEND team to coordinate and develop the whole school approach to supporting ASC at TBCC. You will promote academic independence, subject-specific adaptation, and preparation for adulthood.
About The Kemnal Academies Trust
The Kemnal Academies Trust (TKAT), one of the largest and most established multi-academy trusts in the country. As part of The Kemnal Academies Trust, colleagues benefit from access to a wide network of professional support, collaboration, and development opportunities across a family of schools committed to excellence in education. The Trust is dedicated to investing in its people, providing high-quality training, career progression opportunities, and a strong culture of teamwork and innovation. Joining The Kemnal Academies Trust means becoming part of a forward-thinking organisation that values inclusion, ambition, and continuous improvement, where staff are empowered to make a real difference to the lives of young people.
About Thomas Bennett Community College
Thomas Bennett Community College is a welcoming and ambitious 11–18 secondary school at the heart of the Crawley community, serving families across the town and the wider West Sussex area. As part of The Kemnal Academies Trust, the school combines a strong community ethos with the advantages of a wider network of collaboration and support. With more than 1,200 students, including a thriving sixth form, it provides an inclusive and supportive environment where young people are encouraged to achieve their full potential. The school is committed to delivering a high-quality education through a broad and engaging curriculum across Key Stages 3, 4, and 5, supported by modern facilities and dedicated colleagues.
Key Duties and Responsibilities of the HLTA
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Day to day running of BASE including coordination of the LSA team.
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Contribution to EHCNA and Annual Review process - gathering student and parent voice and collating evidence.
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Planning, delivering and tracking high quality interventions as named in section F provision including communication, SALC, and small group academic intervention.
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Liaison with main school teachers to support the adaptation and scaffolding of high level academic content into accessible milestones, ensuring SSC students don’t fall behind their mainstream peers.
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Be the daily point of contact for parents, external professionals and outside agencies so that support is efficient and communicated to relevant stakeholders. Be confident in supporting families through the Annual Review process.
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Maintain records, tracking sheets and Arbor appropriately.
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Act as a specialist for autism across the school - contributing to CPD, SEND Briefings and planning of targeted provision and classroom provision (mainstream and alternative)
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Promote and develop a school wide understanding of the range of presentations associated with autism and the resulting behaviours.
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Support and promote the vision, ethos, and policies of the school.
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Participate in the school’s appraisal system and engage in continuous professional development (CPD), including training on the secondary curriculum and SEND strategies.
What We’re Looking For
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Significant experience working as a TA within a UK secondary school setting.
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Experience of leading whole classes or large groups independently.
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Experience working with students with SEND (e.g., Autism, ADHD, SEMH).
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HLTA Status (or a recognized equivalent Level 4 qualification).
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GCSE Grade 4/C or above (or equivalent) in English and Mathematics.
As part of Kemnal Academies Trust, our colleagues enjoy:
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Access to a wide range of resources, training, and best practice across the Trust
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Supportive, forward-thinking leadership with a focus on continuous improvement
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Generous Pension Scheme: Significant employer contributions to support your long-term financial wellbeing
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Wellbeing Support: Access to a wellbeing app and an expert-led Eight-Week Mindfulness Programme
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Family Friendly Leave: Policies designed to support work-life balance and caring responsibilities
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Tailored CPD: Ongoing professional development to support your teaching practice and career progression
To find out more, visit our website here or contact the school office on 01293 526255 or
Our Commitment
Safeguarding
We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Offers of employment will be subject to the full safer recruitment process, including an enhanced disclosure and barring service check.
Flexible working
We recognise the value of enabling our employees to develop their career and balance this with their commitments and interests outside of work. We promote flexible working practices and opportunities to promote a positive work life balance.
Our Commitment - Equity, Inclusion, Diversity and Belonging
At Kemnal, we are committed to Equity, Inclusion, Diversity, and Belonging. We embrace and celebrate differences, value individual experiences, aspirations, and achievements, and continuously learn how to grow better together. We actively encourage applications from candidates of all backgrounds, as we believe diversity strengthens our community and drives us forward.
Access to interview
Be Who You Are at Kemnal - should you be selected and invited to interview please let us know if you require us to adapt the recruitment process to enable you to participate as your authentic self. We want applicants to be able to engage with us in ways that support who they are and we are committed to making adjustments within the recruitment process and within the workplace.
