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- Tasks: Coordinate and deliver engaging outdoor lessons for children with special educational needs.
- Company: Severndale Specialist Academy, dedicated to inclusivity and wellbeing.
- Benefits: Permanent contract, competitive salary, professional development, and pension scheme.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in students' lives while working in a supportive environment.
- Qualifications: HLTA qualification or equivalent, GCSEs in English and Maths, and SEND experience.
- Other info: Join a passionate team focused on communication and independence for all learners.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 35000 £ per year.
Full-Time SEND Higher Level Teaching Assistant (HLTA) - Outdoor Learning Focus
Monkmoor Campus, Woodcote Way, Monkmoor, Shrewsbury, SY2 5SH
Tel: 01743 563333
Principal: Lucy Lee
Enabling communication, independence, and enjoyment for life.
Who are we?
We are committed to demonstrating our school vision of 'Enabling Communication, Independence and Enjoyment for Life' through our chosen school values of Communication, Independence, Wellbeing and Inclusivity. We strive to live these values throughout each school day.
Severndale Specialist Academy is a multi-site Academy catering for children with special educational needs in Shropshire. Our children and young people are aged 2 ½ to Post-19 and have a range of learning difficulties. These include moderate, severe, complex and profound learning difficulties, those with autism, complex medical conditions and physical and mobility difficulties. A number of our young people present behaviour that can challenge, arising from their condition; many have communication difficulties.
What is the purpose of the role?
The main purpose of this post is to co‑ordinate, devise daily/weekly plans from medium term planning, risk assess appropriately and deliver lessons to pupils with a range of SEND, tailoring sessions to their IEPs, physical needs and positive behaviour support plans. These lessons in the main will be in one of our Forest School areas. You will be supervised and supported in this by an allocated Senior Leader as part of the Forest School Team. You will bring significant school experience as a TA or HLTA with skills and knowledge in supporting children with SEND and will also be well organised and a great communicator, able to compromise and reach mutually acceptable outcomes with staff and pupils.
Role requirements:
- Higher Level Teaching Assistant qualification or equivalent, or the willingness and capacity to undertake this study
- GCSEs grades 9–5 (A to C) in English and Maths or equivalent
- SEND experience
- Creative, organised and professional
- Enthusiasm to make a difference
- Can do attitude
- Inspiring and ambitious
- Work well on own initiative and as part of a team
- Ability to build good relationships with children, staff and parents
- Ability to manage behaviour with PBS and trauma‑informed strategies
- Ability to encourage engagement and inclusion
- Good organisational and IT skills
What’s included:
- Permanent contract
- Scale 6 is SCP 18 – SCP 22
- Access to the Schools Advisory Service
- Bike to work scheme
- Continuing Professional Development
- Pension Scheme
Application process:
If you want to further your career in an innovative SEND environment, please complete the application form located on our website and forward your information to our HR dept at recruitment@severndaleacademy.co.uk by 9am Monday 13th April 2026.
Safeguarding and equality:
The Learning Community Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. All post holders are subject to an enhanced DBS check (including a check on the children’s barred list) for the successful applicant. References will be checked following the Learning Community Trust recruitment and selection process. We are committed to equality and diversity and follow the Safer Recruitment practices as set out in the Statutory Guidance – Keeping Children Safe in Education.
For more information regarding our schools commitment to safeguarding, please see our website for our school policies.
Teaching Assistant (HLTA) in Shrewsbury employer: Shropshire Council
Contact Detail:
Shropshire Council Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Teaching Assistant (HLTA) in Shrewsbury
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the school! Research Severndale Specialist Academy and its values. Understanding their mission of enabling communication, independence, and enjoyment for life will help you connect with the interviewers and show that you're genuinely interested.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare some examples! Think about your past experiences as a TA or HLTA, especially those involving SEND. Be ready to share specific stories that highlight your skills in supporting children with diverse needs and how you’ve made a positive impact.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your communication skills! Since the role requires great communication, consider doing mock interviews with friends or family. This will help you articulate your thoughts clearly and confidently during the actual interview.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you’re proactive and keen on joining our team at Severndale. Don’t forget to follow up if you haven’t heard back!
We think you need these skills to ace Teaching Assistant (HLTA) in Shrewsbury
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion: Let us see your enthusiasm for working with children with SEND. Share any personal experiences or insights that highlight your commitment to enabling communication and independence in their lives.
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to align your skills and experiences with the specific requirements mentioned in the job description. Highlight your experience as a TA or HLTA and how it relates to the role's focus on outdoor learning.
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application straightforward and to the point. Use clear language to describe your qualifications and experiences, making it easy for us to see why you’d be a great fit for our team.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to complete the application form on our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your information and ensures you’re following the correct process for this exciting opportunity.
How to prepare for a job interview at Shropshire Council
✨Know Your SEND Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). Familiarise yourself with the different types of learning difficulties and how they affect children. This will show that you’re not just qualified, but genuinely passionate about making a difference.
✨Plan for Outdoor Learning
Since the role has a focus on outdoor learning, think about how you can incorporate nature into your teaching strategies. Prepare some ideas or activities that could be used in a Forest School setting. This will demonstrate your creativity and ability to engage students in a unique way.
✨Showcase Your Communication Skills
As a Teaching Assistant, communication is key. Be ready to discuss how you’ve effectively communicated with children, staff, and parents in the past. Share specific examples where your communication skills helped resolve issues or fostered better relationships.
✨Demonstrate Your Organisational Skills
The role requires good organisational skills, so come prepared to talk about how you manage lesson planning and daily tasks. You might even want to bring a sample lesson plan or a brief outline of how you would structure a week’s worth of lessons tailored to individual IEPs.