Higher Level Teaching Assistant in Denton

About The Role

Job Location: Denton, Manchester

Salary: £24,729.60 per annum, based on working 40 hours per week, term time only (39.2 weeks per year)

Contract Type: Permanent

Are you looking for your next exciting challenge? Do you want to be a part of the founding team helping create a ‘Centre of Excellence’ for those with SEND? This is an exciting opportunity to join our brand‑new SEN school at a truly pivotal moment. Havencross School will provide a nurturing, structured, and deeply supportive environment for primary and secondary‑aged children and young people across Key Stages 2–4. As part of Phoenix Learning and Care, the school will welcome pupils with Autism, Social, Emotional, Behavioural, Mental Health difficulties, and associated complex needs. The opening of Havencross School represents far more than a new provision it’s the beginning of a community built on understanding, compassion, and the belief that every child deserves the chance to thrive.

As a Higher‑Level Teaching Assistant, you’ll support teachers in various ways. You may get involved in health and safety checks, delivering training, or even covering for a teacher if they’re off sick. You’ll be a role model and support for our newer teaching assistants, using your skills to support their development. You’ll get all the training and support you need to make sure our learners have the best experience possible. On average, classes are made up of 5 pupils, so you’ll have the chance to really get to know the pupils you support.

A day in the life of a Higher‑Level Teaching Assistant will involve:

• Assisting teaching colleagues in all classroom activities including planning, teaching, and assessing learning.
• Working closely with pupils keeping them engaged, motivated, and inspired to reach their full potential.
• Working either 1:1 with pupils, or in small group settings to help them achieve their learning goals.
• Taking on additional responsibilities to make sure the pupils have the support they need.

To be a successful Higher Level Teaching Assistant, you’ll need:

• Experience working in an SEND / ALN school or similar setting.
• Patience, compassion, and resilience – All of the pupils you’ll support will be neurodiverse, which may impact their learning behaviour and communication needs.
• Great communication skills – Both verbal and written communication is important in this role as you’ll be speaking to a lot of different people at different times.
• A driving licence – Our pupils love to go on trips and to do activities.
• A genuine interest in a career focused on the education of people with a wide range of needs.

In return for your time, you’ll get:

• Holidays – You’ll only work term time, but you’ll get paid 5.6 weeks annual leave as well!
• Pension scheme – Our pension scheme is based on you paying in 5%, and us adding 3%.
• Learning & Development Opportunities – We provide comprehensive learning opportunities for team members to develop themselves.
• Discounts – You’ll have access to brilliant discounts through the Blue Light Card and our own employee benefits platform.
• Wellbeing Support – Your wellbeing is always our priority.
• Cycle2Work - The cycle to work scheme enables you to buy a bicycle at a discounted rate.
• DBS – As this role requires you to have an enhanced DBS carried out, we will cover this cost.
• After 12 months service – You’ll be eligible for our Medicash scheme which covers a wide range of medical, health and wellbeing expenses.

As part of our commitment to safer recruitment, successful applicants will undergo pre-employment checks, including an enhanced DBS, online and social media checks, and reference validation. Due to the nature of our work, we are exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (1974), so we may ask you to disclose any spent or unspent criminal convictions during recruitment. This disclosure does not automatically disqualify you, and we encourage transparency at the application stage.

At Phoenix Learning and Care, we are committed to diversity and creating an inclusive environment where all team members feel safe to be themselves without risk of discrimination. We believe that a diverse workforce strengthens our organisation, and we strive to ensure everyone can contribute authentically and openly.