Teaching Assistant

We are seeking to appoint 3 motivated, resilient, and caring Higher Level Teaching Assistants (HLTA) to join our specialist SEMH (Social, Emotional and Mental Health) school. This is an exciting opportunity to support young people with additional social, emotional, and mental health needs to achieve success both academically and personally. Experience in one of the following is preferable: Outdoor Education, Behaviour support or Attendance.

The successful candidate will work closely with teachers and pastoral staff to deliver high-quality learning and intervention support, helping students overcome barriers to learning and engagement.

Key Responsibilities

 Deliver learning activities and interventions to individuals and small groups

 Support teaching and learning across a range of subjects and vocational areas

 Assist with planning, preparation, and assessment activities

 Promote positive behaviour, emotional regulation, and engagement in learning

 Provide classroom cover when required

 Support students with SEMH needs through nurturing and consistent approaches

 Contribute to the development of personalised learning and support strategies

 Work collaboratively with staff, parents/carers, and external agencies

The Ideal Candidate Will:

 Hold HLTA status or have relevant qualifications and experience

 Have experience working with children or young people with SEMH needs, SEND, or challenging behaviour

 Be patient, adaptable, and resilient

 Have strong behaviour management and communication skills

 Be able to build positive relationships and motivate students

 Be committed to safeguarding, inclusion, and improving outcomes for vulnerable learners

At Portland School, we are dedicated to providing exceptional learning and experiences to pupils with Social, Emotional, and Mental Health Difficulties (SEMHD). Our mission is to empower young minds and nurture futures, ensuring that every student reaches their full potential. We are a split site school with two provisions to meet different needs, one at Trent Vale one at Blythe Bridge. We have an amazing staff team who work tirelessly to support approximately 140 pupils with Social, Emotional and Mental Health needs.

As a specialist school our pupils benefit from smaller class sizes, a more practical curriculum, access to alternative accreditations and a highly trained staff team. Both sites have spacious grounds allowing us to provide outdoor education, with our Blythe Bridge site boasting specialist classrooms for Design and technology, Art and Design, Science, Food technology and PE.

At the heart of our school are a set of shared values where our entire school community are supported to develop a sense of Respect, Responsibility, Belonging, Independence, show a Team Approach and look after their own Mental Toughness.

At Shaw Education Trust, we believe every role has the