Higher Level Teaching Assistant in Romford

Hours: 36.82 hours per week / 38 weeks per year

Contract: Permanent

True Navigation Begins in the Human Heart is the golden thread that runs through everything we do to support our amazing young people at The Compass School. Join us to make an impact on the learning and life chances of our pupils.

The Compass School is a specialist school for children aged between 7-16 who have a wide range of Social Emotional and Mental Health needs, some of whom may also be on the Autistic Spectrum. Some of our pupils can present behaviours that challenge or behaviours that harm.

This is an exciting opportunity to join The Compass School and we are looking for great people to join our amazing team to create something unique. We are looking for an experienced Higher Level Teaching Assistant (HLTA), who has led on interventions as well as teaching where needed across the school. Our candidate will have a passion for supporting pupils with SEMH needs and have a creative, flexible and innovative approach to support our young people and believe that together we can make a difference to the lives of every child we teach.

Candidates will share the school’s vision and the belief that all young people can achieve academically and that this is not dependent on their background. Our small SEMH setting has classes of 8 pupils, with a teacher and two teaching assistants supporting. The successful candidate will understand the importance of a nurturing approach to supporting complex young people with social, emotional and mental health needs.

We need candidates with the motivation, resilience, determination and flexibility to ensure that students make progress, improve their experience of education and prepare them to lead fulfilling lives.

The school serves a catchment area that covers Havering and surrounding areas of East London and Essex. The school is part of the Unity Schools Partnership network of special schools.

You will be supported in your role by experienced SEMH staff who will be available to offer advice and guidance. Significant training and development are available through opportunities for professional development, research, teacher training and collaboration between schools and across phases.

Why work for us?

• We offer termly supervision for all staff to support with your well-being.
• There is an extensive CPD programme, bespoke to our pupils with Social Emotional and Mental Health needs.
• We offer a well-being day to be taken during term time and two-week autumn half term.
• Pupils leave earlier on a Thursday to make sure all staff can do training together.
• Unity Schools Partnership (The Trust) offer staff benefits such as the Cycle to Work Scheme and access to staff support through TELUS.

For more information, to arrange a visit or an informal discussion about the role please contact the Headteacher, Catharine Wensley by email.

Interview Days Week beginning 2nd March 2026. Please note: We may interview as applications are received and may appoint before the closing date. Applications must be submitted online via our careers website before the deadline, so we encourage early applications and advise checking the job details on our site.

In line with safer recruitment, we cannot accept CVs. Incomplete application forms may result in candidates not being shortlisted. Unity Schools Partnership is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of pupils. All successful candidates will be subject to rigorous pre-employment checks, including an enhanced DBS.

We are also committed to equality, diversity and fair recruitment practices, and we oppose all forms of unlawful discrimination. We value inclusive working practices and diverse teams. If you wish to work part-time or as a job-share, we will accommodate this wherever possible. We particularly welcome applications from under-represented groups.

Safeguarding

Havering Schools are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. The protection of our pupils from abuse is the responsibility of all staff within our schools, superseding any other considerations.

Therefore Havering Schools comply with the Department for Education ‘Keeping Children Safe in Education’ guidance. It is an offence to apply for a post which involves engaging in regulated activity relevant to children if you are barred from doing so. Please be advised that, again in line with ‘Keeping Children Safe in Education’, shortlisted candidates (who wish to accept an invite to interview) will be required to submit, prior to their interview, a self-declaration of their criminal record or information that would make them unsuitable to work with children. Upon submission of this information, online checks may be carried out. This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974; the successful applicant will be expected to undertake an enhanced DBS disclosure check. Having a criminal record will not necessarily debar you from obtaining a position with the School.

Equal Opportunities

Havering Schools aim to promote and ensure equality of opportunity and equal treatment for all. We are committed to equal opportunities in employment regardless of gender, marital status, race, colour, nationality (including citizenship), ethnic or national origins, disabilities, age, sexual orientation, responsibility for dependants, religious or political affiliation and trade union activities. All matters related to employment are decided on the basis of qualifications, merit and business need.