At a Glance
- Tasks: Support and inspire young people with SEMH needs through creative interventions.
- Company: Join The Compass School, a specialist school dedicated to making a difference.
- Benefits: Enjoy well-being days, extensive training, and a supportive team environment.
- Other info: Flexible working options available; we value diversity and inclusivity in our team.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on students' lives and help them achieve their potential.
- Qualifications: Experience as a Higher Level Teaching Assistant and a passion for supporting diverse learners.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.
Higher Level Teaching Assistant, with intervention experience
Start Date: 01 September 2026
Contract Type: Permanent
36.82 hours per week, 38 weeks per year
“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, alongside Sir Bobby Robson School, Ipswich, The Bridge School, Ipswich and Churchill Special School, Haverhill and Sir Peter Hall School, Bury St Edmund’s.
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.
Benefits
- 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.
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.
HLTA in Romford employer: Unity Schools Partnership
The Compass School is an exceptional employer dedicated to making a meaningful impact on the lives of young people with Social Emotional and Mental Health needs. With a strong focus on employee well-being, we offer extensive professional development opportunities, a supportive work culture, and unique benefits such as well-being days and termly supervision. Join our passionate team in Havering, where your creativity and resilience will help shape the future of our pupils in a nurturing environment.
