Higher Level Teaching Assistant

Post: Higher Level Teaching Assistant (HLTA)

Salary: Scale 5; point range 12-15   

Responsible to: Class Teachers, Deputy Headteacher, Headteacher

The postholder will provide support for the line management of Teaching Assistant provision and specialist curriculum support.

Purpose of Job:

To oversee and monitor the management of the day-to-day timetable and work of the Teaching Assistants e.g. giving advice and direction to Teaching Assistants, ensuring cover is arranged for staff absences and keeping line manager up to date with modifications/ problems arising.

The role of the postholder is to support teachers in teaching and learning.

To work with individual deaf pupils, small groups and whole classes across the Primary Phase (EYFS/Key Stages 1 and 2) within an agreed system of supervision under the direction of a senior teacher or class teacher, adjusting activities according to pupil’s responses / needs.

Duties and responsibilities:

Teaching and Learning activities

• As part of a professional team, to provide clearly structured teaching and learning activities to motivate deaf pupils to advance their learning.
• To use behaviour management strategies, in line with the school’s policy and procedures, which contribute to a purposeful learning environment.
• To advance pupil’s learning in a range of classroom settings, including working with individuals, small groups and whole classes
• To implement and promote the school’s equal opportunity, race equality and anti-bullying/harassment policies at all times and to value diversity and inclusion.
• To organise and manage safely the learning activities, the physical teaching space and resources for which the HLTA is responsible.
• To ensure the health and safeguarding of the pupils and report concerns or details of accidents/incidents through the school Health and Safety, Safeguarding and Child Protection Procedures.

Planning

• Contribute effectively to teachers’ planning and preparation of lessons.
• To select, make and prepare teaching resources that meet the diversity of students’ needs and interests.
• To contribute to the planning of opportunities for pupils to learn in and out of school contexts, in accordance with school policies and procedures.
• To help children to learn as effectively and independently as possible, both in group situations and on their own and to provide feedback to pupils and colleagues on pupils’ learning behaviour.

 Monitoring and Assessment

• To evaluate pupil’s progress through a range of assessment activities, to contribute to teacher’s overall assessment.
• To liaise with parents and carers recognising their roles in students’ learning as directed by the teachers.
• To foster good links between home and school and other outside agencies as a representative of the school.
• To monitor and evaluate deaf pupils’ participation and progress, providing feedback to teachers, and giving constructive support to pupils as they learn.
• To contribute to maintaining and analysing records of pupil progress.
• To participate in Parent meetings, Annual and Interim Review meetings if required, and feedback on pupils progress towards achieving their targets.
• To prepare a duty timetable for the Teaching Assistants and keep information up to date in an accessible file for all to use.
• To monitor the day to day performance of Teaching Assistants and give advice and support where required.
• To organise tasks for Teaching Assistants during staff training/INSET that they may not take part in e.g. Task Groups

To support sign bilingual practice by

• To be an excellent and positive Deaf role model throughout the school (if Deaf).

• To promote the development of a natural BSL environment for pupils.
• To motivate and encourage pupils’ development of their self-esteem, Deaf identity, and BSL skills.

• To deliver conceptual information in BSL and ensure the pupils’ understanding and clarify pupils’ and teachers’ signed communication when necessary.
• To contribute and participate in Deaf awareness training/sign language classes/events, supporting all staff in the school.
• To lead BSL storytelling, assemblies, whole school activities independently where necessary.

General

• To attend staff meetings and relevant in-service training.
• To attend and contribute to all school team and task group meetings as directed by the Headteacher.

• To lead and organise breakfast club, extra-curricular activities and any lunchtime/after school activities/clubs.
• To lead indoor and outdoor activities as directly by the class teacher or senior management team.

• To lead lunchtime supervision duties and develop activities to promote positive social interactions between pupils during break times.
• To carry out any other tasks linked to the post as specified by the Headteacher.