Higher Level Teaching Assistant (HLTA) in Eastbourne

Join our team as a Higher Level Teaching Assistant (HLTA).

Are you passionate about helping children thrive and ready to make a difference every day?

Heron Park is looking for an enthusiastic and dedicated HLTA to join our friendly and supportive team.

This fixed-term, term-time only role offers 20 hours per week, working 12.00pm to 4.00pm Monday to Friday.

As one of our HLTAs, you will enjoy a varied and rewarding role. You will support pupils' learning across the school, lead engaging lessons during planned and unplanned teacher cover, deliver interventions, and help create an inclusive environment where every child feels valued, confident, and able to succeed.

We would love to hear from you if:

• you have obtained HLTA status, hold a desired qualification such as ELSA, or equivalent experience
• you have a genuine passion for supporting children's learning , development and wellbeing
• you are enthusiastic, proactive, and enjoy working collaboratively as part of a team
• you have high expectations for all pupils and are committed to helping every child achieve their best
• you can inspire confidence, independence, and a love of learning in young people
• you are enthusiastic and committed to working as part of a team

In return for your passion and commitment, we offer:

• A supportive team who place our values of Respect, Curiosity, Independence, Resilience, and Aspiration at the centre of all that we do with a commitment to raising pupil achievement and aspirations
• Extensive professional development opportunities, including Aurora Trust-wide CPD
• A spacious well-equipped and well-resourced learning environment
• A skilled and committed SLT who are devoted to improving outcomes for all children and staff
• The opportunity to be part of a multi-academy trust that has collaboration at its heart and will support you every step of the way
• Enhanced paternity leave, in excess of the Green and Burgundy Books
• Aurora Academies Advantage scheme - this includes access to free and confidential advice on a range of topics via the Employee Assistance Programme, online GP service, cycle to work scheme, discounts to high-street shops and health and well-being support

Qualifications

Obtained HLTA status, hold a desired qualification, such as ELSA, or equivalent experience essential

GCSE Maths and English grade 4-9 (A-C) or equivalent essential

Abilities, Skills and Knowledge

Knowledge and Understanding of the National Curriculum essential

A proven ability to engage with small children and obtain positive outcomes in their progress essential

Able to reflect on and analyse own practice essential

High expectations of achievement and behaviour essential

Flexibility and desire to work as part of a team essential

Good organisational skills in work-related matters essential

A good level of ICT skills essential

A good understanding of of the principles of positive behaviour management essential

Ability to use language and other communication skills that pupils can understand and relate to essential

Ability to consistently and effectively implement agreed behaviour management strategies essential

Ability to provide levels of individual attention, reassurance, and support with learning tasks, individual to the pupils' needs essential

Ability to carry out and report on systematic observations of pupils' knowledge, understanding, and skills essential

Ability to create and maintain high-quality and accurate records essential

Ability to remain calm and patient under pressure, whilst working to deadlines essential

Ability to work effectively and supportively as a member of the school team essential

Ability to work in an organised and methodical manner essential

Knowledge of strategies to recognise and reward efforts and achievements towards self-reliance that are appropriate to the age and development stage of the pupils essential

A knowledge and understanding of delivering phonics

A knowledge and understanding of delivering phonics

Experience

Experience within a school setting essential

Previous experience in a similar role essential

Previous experience in a similar role essential

Experience of planning and leading teaching and learning activities, under supervision essential

Experience of using IT to support pupils in the classroom essential

Ability to offer constructive feedback to pupils, to reinforce self-esteem essential

Experience across a range of year groups

Experience of working in a team

Experience of working successfully as part of a team essential

Experience/Knowledge

A knowledge and understanding of the National Curriculum for the phase you are in essential

Specialist subject knowledge to deliver effective interventions essential

Knowledge or awareness of the SEN Code of Practice essential

A knowledge and understanding of assessment, monitoring, target setting, and evaluation, using this information to inform future planning

Qualifications

GCSE level 4, or above, in English and Maths, or equivalent essential

Heron Park Primary Academy is a vibrant and dynamic two-form entry primary school with a nursery, serving children aged 2–11 in the heart of the Eastbourne community. We are proud to be rated a ‘Good’ provider by Ofsted, and we are deeply committed to delivering exceptional educational experiences for every child in our care.

At Heron Park, we believe that children flourish in a happy, supportive, safe, and purposeful learning environment. Our warm, friendly, and welcoming atmosphere ensures that all members of our community feel a strong sense of belonging—truly part of the Heron Park family.

Our inspirational curriculum is thoughtfully designed to both challenge and excite our pupils, providing them with the tools they need to thrive in an ever-changing world. Every aspect of school life is underpinned by our five core values:

• Respect
• Resilience
• Aspiration

These values guide our pupils as they grow into confident, capable individuals who demonstrate Quality, Excellence, and Passion in everything they do.

Our vision is clear: to empower every child to reach their full potential. Through a rich and engaging educational journey, we aim to equip our pupils with the skills, knowledge, and mindset they need for a successful and fulfilling future.

‘It’s really fun to do work at our school. I really like the challenges and our school trips! Our values make our school a safe place to learn. We follow them and have been taught about integrity which we show every day.’

Having worked at Heron Park for just over a year now, the thing that has really stood out for me is the incredibly strong ethic of teamwork that is evident throughout all aspects school life. All members of the school community work hard to support each other to achieve the best for the pupils in our care both in terms of fostering academic progress, but also in supporting them socially and emotionally. I have also found the clear pedagogical approaches and engaging curriculum to be a real strength of the school, and this is supported by an exciting range of trips, experiences and events across the year. CPD, both within our own school but also as part of the wider Aurora Academy Trust, is always responsive to the emerging needs of our pupils and staff, and as a result, I really feel that I have developed as a teacher over the course of the year that I have worked at Heron Park. All staff at Heron Park are dedicated, friendly and passionate about their roles, whatever they may be, and that has made being part of the team here a real pleasure.

Lee, Y5 teacher

‘Working at Heron Park Primary Academy is honestly such a joy. From the very beginning, I felt welcomed and part of a team that genuinely cares—not just about the children, but about each other too. There’s a real sense of community here, and that makes a huge difference day to day.’

One of the things I love most is how our school values are lived out in everything we do. Our children are encouraged to be respectful, curious, independent, resilient, and aspirational, and it’s amazing to see them grow into those qualities. It makes teaching here feel really meaningful.

We also have a broad and balanced curriculum that’s built around helping every child reach their full potential. The focus on Quality, Excellence, and Passion isn’t just for the pupils—it’s something we all strive for as staff too.

Plus, being part of Aurora Academies Trust means there are great opportunities to develop and progress in your career. There’s always support, encouragement, and the chance to take on new challenges across the trust.

Heron Park Primary Academy

Emily Sturt

Aurora Academies Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of young people and vulnerable adults, and all appointments are subject to enhanced Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) checks and satisfactory references. Online searches will also be carried out on shortlisted candidates.

Aurora Academies Trust is also committed to promoting equality, challenging discrimination and developing community cohesion. We welcome applications from all sections of the community.

We welcome applications from individuals who share our commitment to maintaining school communities where everyone feels safe, valued and free from harassment, bullying and discrimination.

Key Role Information

Job type Part Time

Contract type Fixed Term

Closing 13/11/2026 09:00

Interview To be confirmed

Pay grade Support Pay Scale - ESSS | SCP20 - SCP22

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