HLTA - Cover - Discovery Academy

Join the Nexus team at Discovery Academy, Sheffield. This is a permanent position with 36 hours per week, term time only. The salary ranges from £27,887 to £29,950 (actual salary), which includes a pay increase of 3.3% as from April 2026.

About our School

Are you ready for your next challenge? Are you passionate about making a real difference to pupils with SEND? Are you nurturing, inclusive, empowering, caring, passionate, enriching, encouraging, child-centered and family focused? Are you ready to inspire the next generation of young minds? Take a leap and become part of the Discovery Team of Dreamers, Believers and Achievers.

Discovery Academy is a school for children and young people with SEND located on the Norfolk Park Estate in Sheffield. The Academy is run by the award-winning Nexus Multi Academy Trust, and we have been open for just over 4 years. We believe that inspiring young people with their learning is about giving them a sense of belief that they will achieve their potential.

This is an opportunity to build the school ethos from the ground upwards. Be a part of a house system that gives children and staff a sense of belonging and is dedicated to its values by developing staff to become even greater. We have an immersive approach to our curriculum that is thematic throughout the school. Our classrooms are immersive and allow pupils to work independently and in collaboration together in fun learning spaces. We believe that learning takes place when children feel safe, stimulated and secure where kindness, care and self-belief are the foundations to learning.

We are seeking to appoint a highly motivated, enthusiastic, hardworking and flexible person to join a team of dedicated staff who are committed to providing an excellent learning environment. Whether you are an experienced HLTA or someone with exceptional vocational skills and a real drive to make a difference in children’s lives, you must be able to provide our children with aspirations for their futures along with promoting a positive culture in everything you do.

Knowledge of SEN will be advantageous and you must be able to respond to the emotional, social and mental health needs of our children and young people. You will be required to ensure the safety of our children and young people and facilitate their access to learning by responding to individual needs.

You will be working as part of a team supporting whole class lessons, group work and working one to one with pupils. You will be part of a committed staff team who are motivated every day by improving the life chances of our children and young people.

What you can expect from us:

• Access to free wellbeing support resources including counselling, medical and legal advice.
• Access to discount schemes for savings with high street retailers, restaurants, activities and lifestyle services.
• Auto enrolment into a leading pension scheme.
• Access to extensive and tailored career pathways, CPD programmes, training and coaching.
• An Induction package to help you settle in and approach your role with confidence and enthusiasm.
• Internal opportunities across the Trust academies.
• Flexible working policies.
• Annual leave increases based on length of service plus bank holidays for support staff.

All candidates are advised to refer to the job profile before making an application. Further information for an informal and confidential conversation about the role can be obtained by contacting Karen Blakemore.

Nexus Multi Academy Trust is committed to safeguarding and protecting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Safer recruitment practice and pre-employment checks will be undertaken before any appointment is confirmed. This post involves working with children and young people. If successful, you will be required to apply for a disclosure of criminal records check at an enhanced level and a barred list check.

We are an equal opportunities employer committed to recruiting and retaining a diverse workforce.

Privacy Notice (Job Applicants): We are committed to protecting your personal data and handling it responsibly. The information you provide on this application form will be used solely for recruitment and selection purposes, to assess your suitability for the role, and to communicate with you about your application.