At a Glance
- Tasks: Support students with learning disabilities and showcase their achievements through media.
- Company: St Joseph’s Specialist Trust, a supportive and inclusive educational environment.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, free lunches, recruitment bonuses, and professional development opportunities.
- Other info: Join a beautiful campus with a strong support network and career growth potential.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in students' lives while developing your skills in a creative role.
- Qualifications: HLTA qualification or experience as a Teaching Assistant ready to progress.
Location: Cranleigh
Salary: Qualified HLTA: £29,600 - £32,763 (FTE £34,511 - £39,199) Unqualified: £25,632 - £28,412 (FTE £29,884 - £33,126)
Vacancy Type: Full Time - 36 hours per week, 39 weeks per year (term time plus 5 inset days)
St Joseph’s Specialist Trust is a specialist school, college, children’s home and adult supported living service based in Cranleigh, Surrey, midway between Guildford and Horsham. They are seeking a dedicated Higher Level Teaching Assistant – Reserve with Media to join their team as soon as possible. This is a varied and rewarding role, combining classroom-based learning support with responsibility for capturing and showcasing the achievements of their students through photography, video and social media content.
Working alongside teachers, you will contribute to the planning, preparation and delivery of learning activities, support students both individually and in groups and provide cover for short-term teacher absence when required. HLTAs also play an important role in mentoring Teaching Assistants and monitoring student progress.
About the Role
You will support students aged 5-19 with complex learning disabilities, autism, severe social communication difficulties and behaviours that can be challenging. Their students may display behaviours such as anxiety-driven responses, verbal aggression, hitting, kicking, biting, spitting, property damage and, on occasion, sexualised behaviours. All student-facing roles also involve supporting students with personal care where required. With your patience, resilience and guidance, you will help students develop their independence, communication skills and learning outcomes, enabling them to achieve their individual potential.
As part of the Media element of the role, you will:
- Support staff in recording and evidencing student learning and achievements.
- Manage photography, video, music and digital media files, including student records and storage systems.
- Regularly update the Trust’s social media channels with high-quality content.
- Create engaging half-termly multimedia reflections that celebrate and document the work taking place across the Trust.
Training and Support
Supporting their students can be both physically and emotionally demanding. Students may become frustrated, anxious or dysregulated and staff must be prepared to provide consistent support, clear boundaries and safe interventions when necessary. They provide comprehensive training, including positive behaviour support strategies and physical intervention training, to equip you with the skills and confidence needed to succeed. However, strong mental, emotional and physical resilience are essential qualities necessary for all their staff. There are also excellent opportunities for professional development and career progression across the Trust.
Working Hours
36 hours per week during term time and INSET days:
- Monday: 8:30am-4pm
- Tuesday to Thursday: 8:30am-4:15pm
- Friday: 8:30am-3:45pm
Plus 30 minutes per week worked flexibly to meet operational needs. A 30-minute unpaid lunch break applies each day.
About You
They welcome applications from:
- Qualified HLTAs
- Experienced Teaching Assistants who are ready to progress and undertake HLTA training.
Due to their semi-rural location, access to your own transport is desirable. Please note there is no train station in Cranleigh, so applicants should carefully consider their commuting arrangements before applying.
Why Join St Joseph’s?
- Free lunch provided by their in-house catering team during term time.
- Ample free onsite parking.
- £1,000 recruitment and retention bonus for new employees: £250 after 1 month, £250 after 1 year, £500 after 18 months.
- Life Insurance and Medical Cashplan.
- Comprehensive induction programme.
- Regular training, supervision and 1:1 mentoring.
- Employee Assistance Programme providing confidential wellbeing and counselling support 24/7.
- Strong support network including Adult Mental Health First Aiders and Occupational Health services.
- Discounted fitness classes with Surrey Fitness Camps and Go Fest Active Studio.
- Career progression and promotion opportunities.
- Beautiful 23-acre campus on the edge of the Surrey Hills.
Closing date Wednesday 1st July 2026. Interviews will take place shortly afterwards and will include delivering a prepared lesson on a topic supplied for their students. Successful candidates will be required to complete Team Teach Positive Behaviour Support Training as part of their induction before commencing employment.
Safeguarding
St Joseph’s Specialist Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. All appointments are subject to satisfactory references, an enhanced DBS check and the successful completion of all pre-employment checks.
Higher Level Teaching Assistant - Reserve With Media employer: St Joseph's Specialist Trust
St Joseph’s Specialist Trust is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive and nurturing work environment for Higher Level Teaching Assistants. With comprehensive training, a strong focus on employee wellbeing, and ample opportunities for professional development, staff are empowered to make a meaningful impact in the lives of students with complex needs. The beautiful 23-acre campus in Cranleigh provides a serene backdrop for fostering creativity and collaboration, making it an ideal place for those seeking a rewarding career in education.
Contact Details:
St Joseph's Specialist Trust Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Higher Level Teaching Assistant - Reserve With Media
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We think you need these skills to ace Higher Level Teaching Assistant - Reserve With Media
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Passion for Learning:When applying for a role in digital learning and education at St Joseph's Specialist Trust, make sure to sprinkle your application with examples of your enthusiasm for teaching and learning technologies. Share specific experiences where you've used, designed, or implemented digital learning solutions, as this shows us that you truly get the field.
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How to prepare for a job interview at St Joseph's Specialist Trust
✨Get Hands-On with Learning Technologies
Familiarise yourself with common digital learning tools and platforms, like LMS systems or authoring tools that St Joseph's Specialist Trust might use. Understanding these will give you an edge and show you’re ready to jump in from day one!
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Prepare a portfolio of your past projects if you have them, or create sample lesson plans or digital content demos. Being able to discuss your creative approach to engaging students can really set you apart in a full-time role at St Joseph's Specialist Trust.
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Stay in the loop with the latest trends in digital education, like gamification or personalised learning experiences. This will help you engage in meaningful discussions during the interview and demonstrate your passion for the field.
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Expect to be asked about your experience working collaboratively with educators or other stakeholders. Consider discussing how you've contributed to a team effort in creating engaging educational content or improving student outcomes.
