Location: Houlton School, Rugby, UK
Salary: NJC Pay Scale 17 – 22 £31,022.00 to £33,699.00 FTE £26,892.93 - £29,213.62 Actual
Contract Type: Permanent
Education Phases: Secondary, Sixth Form Or College;
Job Roles: Teaching Assistant;
Working Patterns: Full-Time;
Key Stagess: Ks3, Ks4;
Application Deadline: Monday, 2nd November 2026
Interview Date: TBC w/c 02 November 2026
Expected Working Start Date: Subject to vetting
Visa Sponsorship Available: No
Is a Shared Job: No
About us
Ashlawn School is a high-performing, co-educational bi-lateral school located in Rugby, Warwickshire. As part of the Transforming Lives Educational Trust (TLET), we offer both selective grammar and non-selective places, creating a unique and inclusive learning environment where all students are challenged and supported to achieve their full potential. With a strong reputation for academic excellence, outstanding pastoral care, and a vibrant co-curricular programme, Ashlawn is a forward-thinking school committed to continuous improvement. Our staff are passionate, dedicated professionals who work collaboratively to inspire a love of learning and shape the leaders of tomorrow. Joining Ashlawn means becoming part of a dynamic, supportive community that values innovation, ambition, and the development of every individual—both students and staff alike.
Job Description
Duties and responsibilities will include:
Timetabling and Staffing:
• Managing the TA timetable/staffing on a daily basis, including covering absences and sending the daily-cover sheet to Tas
• Managing the Inclusion Department diary
• Contributing to the approval of Absence Requests on internal HR system
• Undertaking routine and non-routine administrative tasks
Testing
• Supporting the accurate testing of Year 7 students on entry, ensuring students feel safe, calm and regulated throughout the process.
• Setting up students on platforms, allocating tests, delivering assessments and generating reports with sensitivity to individual emotional needs.
• Ensuring all key paperwork is collected from feeder schools.
• Supporting the administration of Rapid and LASS tests, and assisting in the identification of learning needs that may impact emotional wellbeing, including dyslexia profiles.
• Assisting with annual review testing (WRAT), ensuring assessments are delivered in a nurturing and emotionally safe environment.
• Gathering teacher evidence for Access Arrangements
TA Support
• Responding to urgent TA enquiries, logging concerns and passing them to the Head of Inclusion for action.
• Leading/co-leading TA briefings and minuting key concerns to ensure swift intervention and follow-up.
• Working alongside the Head of Inclusion to induct new TAs in approaches and systems at Ashlawn School.
• Assisting in TA observations, focusing on the quality of support and interaction with vulnerable pupils.
• Participating in the recruitment, induction, appraisal, training and mentoring of TAs.
Support for Pupils
• Providing key pupils with the resources they need (laptops, Prodigy, Chromebooks), including tools that support emotional regulation, independence and confidence.
• Delivering curriculum content to small groups or individuals whose needs require adapted teaching, such as Functional Skills, Supported Study, Catch-up Literacy/Numeracy, and social thinking or emotional literacy interventions.
• Supporting pupils across classroom settings using specialist SEMH knowledge, trauma-informed strategies, and an ability to identify emotional triggers or barriers.
• Leading small groups or whole classes where necessary, ensuring a safe, calm and structured environment for students.
• Guiding the work of other adults in the classroom to ensure consistency in behaviour support and emotional regulation strategies.
• Taking initiative to lead multi-agency approaches, liaising with Early Help, Youth Services, CAMHS, Educational Psychologists and other professionals to support children’s emotional and behavioural needs.
Support for the School
• Contributing to whole-school policy ensuring policies reflect trauma-informed and attachment-aware principles.
• Promoting inclusion for all pupils by ensuring equal access to learning, removing barriers wherever possible.
• Establishing constructive relationships with external professionals to support pupil progress.
• Supporting and modelling the school’s ethos, values, and commitment to inclusive education.
• Co-representing teaching assistants at staff or management meetings.
Benefits
As an employee within the TLET family, you can expect standard contractual benefits including sick pay, holiday pay, pensions* and pay reviews in accordance with STPCD and NJC national guidelines.
In addition, we are pleased to offer the current additional benefits for our staff:
- Access to the Health Assured employee assistance programme
- One "Thank You Day" per annum
- Eye care vouchers
- A cycle to work scheme
- Clothing (including coats) to be provided in accordance with PPE requirements across all sites
Where possible, we also aim to signpost opportunities for our staff to access discounts and special offers for the education sector. Recent examples have included:
- Gym membership in accordance with the agreed local discount
- Teacher discounts with certain retailers
Desired Criteria
- Training in child protection and safeguarding
- First aid
- Fire safety awareness
- Training or experience in SEMH interventions or strategies
- Experience of working in an education setting (desirable) or other student-facing role
- Experience delivering SEMH-focused interventions or supporting students with emotional regulation needs
- Working knowledge of relevant policies / procedures / codes of practice / legislation, including Data Protection and Child Protection
- Knowledge of tests such as the NGRT, NGST, WRAT, LASS etc or a willingness to learn/undertake training
- Enthusiasm for contributing to whole-school SEMH initiatives and fostering emotional resilience
Essential Criteria
- Maths & English GCSE 4 (C) or above
- Level 2 Teaching Assistant qualification or relevant qualification in working with children
- Experience of working with young people in a relevant professional environment (education, youth, health, social work)
- Experience providing individual or small-group support to children/young people
- Experience of working on own initiative and making decisions
- Experience of administrative work
- Evidence of understanding young people’s emotional, social and educational needs
- A good working knowledge of computer software packages including Microsoft Word, Excel and Google Workspace
- Excellent numeracy and literacy skills
- Effective verbal and written communication skills
- Good time management skill
- Ability to handle sensitive and confidential information and issues appropriately
- Ability to work independently and as part of a team
- Ability to take responsibility and work with autonomy within set boundaries
- To establish good working relationships at all levels – students, teachers, senior management, board of trustees etc.
- Ability to self-evaluate learning needs and actively seek CPD
- Calm
- Confident
- Flexible
- Reliable
- Professional and confident
- Ability to work under pressure and to tight deadlines
Documents
Higher Level Teaching Assistant (HLTA) in Rugby employer: Ashlawn School
Ashlawn School is an exceptional employer located in Rugby, Warwickshire, offering a vibrant and inclusive work environment where teachers are valued and supported. With a strong commitment to professional development, staff have access to tailored training opportunities that foster growth and career advancement, ensuring that educators can thrive and inspire the next generation. The school's collaborative culture promotes innovation and ambition, making it an ideal place for passionate educators to make a meaningful impact.
