Higher Level Teaching Assistant (HLTA)

Location: Colchester
Salary: Up to £24,368
Department: Education Services
Function: Education
Application Deadline: 24/07/26
Interview Date: Week commencing 27/07/26

Are you a Life Changer? Do you want to lean in and truly transform the life of a child?

At Compass Community Schools, we put children first through our therapeutic, innovative approach. Integrity, Courage, and Care shape how we work. We listen deeply, challenge each other, and fix what needs fixing, together. This is the work—and we’d love for you to be a part of it.

Who We Are

Our pupils come from a wide range of backgrounds, but all have Social, Emotional, and Mental Health needs (SEMH). Many also have other Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND), such as Autism, ADHD, and communication difficulties. A significant number of our students have experienced trauma and adverse childhood experiences, and may have social care involvement.

Because our work is both varied and challenging, we operate as a trauma and attachment-informed organisation. We ensure all staff are provided with extensive therapeutic training and deep support to guarantee outstanding outcomes for our young people.

About the Role

As an HLTA at our school, you know that no two days—and no two children—are the same. Our pupils require very special adults who can support complex and challenging behaviours with empathy, consistency, and flexibility.

We are looking for resilient, persistent, and solution-focused individuals who can wear many different hats and adapt at a moment's notice. You won't just support the classroom; you will be part of the decision-making team that drives our school forward.

Key Responsibilities:

Educational Support: Cover and support teachers in the classroom, working with pupils on a 1:1 basis or delivering targeted sessions to small groups.
Interactive Learning: Conduct fun science experiments, play board games, manage classroom resources, and create engaging learning displays.
Safety & Behaviour Management: Keep children safe when they experience heightened behaviours by applying strong, therapeutic de-escalation strategies.
Mentorship & Inclusion: Take children on educational trips, share lunchtime to support those struggling socially, and celebrate every individual success.
Therapeutic Collaboration: Participate in therapy sessions, reflect constructively on difficult periods, and bring your own passions to help shape the academic and extra-curricular curriculum.

Requirements

Prior experience as a Teaching Assistant, ideally working with SEMH or SEND pathways.
Strong behavior management skills combined with a calm, non-judgmental approach.
Exceptional communication skills and the ability to build trust with vulnerable children.
A commitment to engaging with trauma-informed, therapeutic practices.

Benefits and Rewards

Our HLTAs are highly valued members of our team. We offer an excellent supportive package, including:

Tools for the Job: A dedicated staff laptop and mobile phone.
Professional Growth: Extensive training and professional qualification opportunities, alongside regular therapeutic and supportive supervision.
Health & Wellbeing: MediCash scheme (cashback for dental, optical, physiotherapy, etc.) and an Enhanced Occupational Sickness Scheme.
Financial Perks: Monthly REACH Awards (win up to £150), milestone service awards (up to £600), and up to £500 special recognition rewards for outstanding practice.
Salary Sacrifice Schemes: Access to technology, cycle-to-work, and childcare voucher schemes.
Environment: Small class sizes supported by specialist TA teams.

Please note: We regularly review applications and reserve the right to close this advert early if a suitable candidate is identified.

Safeguarding & Diversity

Important: Compass Community Schools are deeply committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. The successful candidate will be required to hold or obtain an Enhanced DBS check for Regulated Activity and undergo due diligence background checks, including social media screening.

Compass is an equal-opportunity employer committed to diversity and inclusion. We know that a talented team with diverse backgrounds, cultures, and perspectives is essential to providing the best possible support for our children.