Higher Learning Teaching Assistant in Stoke-on-Trent

Waterside Primary School is a vibrant, inclusive, and forward-thinking primary school, committed to providing a nurturing environment where every child can thrive. We are seeking a dedicated and enthusiastic Higher Level Teaching Assistant (HLTA) to join our fantastic team. This role is suitable for aspiring HLTAs, qualified HLTAs and recently qualified teachers looking to gather further experience.

As a HLTA at our school, you will:

• Support and deliver high-quality teaching and learning across a range of subjects and year groups.
• Plan and lead small group or whole class sessions in the absence of a teacher.
• Work closely with class teachers to adapt and differentiate learning to meet pupils’ needs.
• Support the development and progress of pupils with a range of abilities and needs.
• Play an active role in the wider school community.

Waterside Primary School is proud to be situated in the heart of Stoke on-Trent where cultural richness and diversity is celebrated within our school and our local community. There is a sharp focus at Waterside on becoming respectful and tolerant citizens which enable positive interactions within and beyond our school. Although there is a high level of deprivation and social challenges, we are committed to ‘Empowering Learners’ and enriching lives. Due to the challenges within our context, we place high priority on developing the whole child.

We are highly ambitious and inclusive and strive to intrinsically embed the British Values and our Personal Development curriculum including our school values (Respect, Determination, Excellence, Friendship, Courage, Inspiration, Equality) to ensure that pupils acquire skills and knowledge for future learning and life in modern Britain. All staff at Waterside are highly aspirational and consistently deliver rich learning experiences within our ambitious broad and balanced 4D curriculum, that secure academic achievement and progress, whilst going beyond the curriculum to reinforce the skills required for life-long learning.

At Waterside, we understand the importance of equity in ensuring all pupils are able to achieve from their individual starting points, and through the challenging and diversified opportunities that we provide, children become confident learners who are prepared for life beyond the classroom. Our ambition and passion for success for all drives the work that we do and the decisions that we make.

At Shaw Education Trust, we believe every role has the power to transform a life. Whether you’re supporting behind the scenes, inspiring in the classroom, or leading with vision, you will be part of something truly meaningful. Our values — opportunity, integrity, community, and equity — guide everything we do. Our vision is “Opening doors to the world through the power of learning.”

We bring this to life through our mission: working together to inspire communities where every school is valued, every voice matters, and every learner thrives. We are a dynamic and growing family of primary, secondary, and special schools, proudly serving communities from Birmingham to Bury. Our people are our greatest asset, and we are deeply committed to their development through high-quality training, apprenticeships, talent development programmes, and research opportunities, we empower our staff to thrive as skilled, confident professionals.

You will join a collaborative network of schools where shared expertise and a strong professional community drive success. Every academy within our Trust has an equal voice, and every colleague plays a vital role in shaping tailored learning experiences that raise aspirations and build brighter futures.

If you have the passion, dedication, and drive to help shape lives and create futures filled with promise, we would love you to join our team. Together, let’s make the remarkable happen. We believe every child has the potential to be extraordinary. That belief drives everything we do across our growing family of Primary schools.

United by a passion for excellence, we work collaboratively—drawing on the latest research and bold innovation—to create vibrant, inspiring learning experiences that help every child shine. Our Trust-wide, evolving 3D Primary Curriculum and forward-thinking Digital Strategy are crafted to spark curiosity, fuel imagination, and immerse children in energetic, meaningful learning. We are building more than just knowledge—we’re nurturing confidence, creativity, and a deep love of learning.

Our schools are caring, stimulating places where children feel safe, empowered, and fully prepared for the journey ahead. We know just how crucial these early years are! Research shows that the quality of primary education has the single greatest impact on a child’s academic growth—and their social and emotional development too, but we also know we are not in this alone. A child’s earliest experiences, shaped by strong partnerships between home, preschool, and school, form the foundation for lifelong success. That’s why we value our families as essential partners in every step of the journey.

Unlike other MATs, we embrace the diversity of our schools and communities, and we support each one to develop bespoke programmes of study that reflect their unique context—programmes that help children explore deeper, think bigger, and dream bolder. Our pledge is simple and powerful: to enable every child to thrive.

Shaw Education Trust offer the following employee benefits with your Teaching or Support Staff employment:

• An excellent Local Government Pension Scheme (Support Staff) / Teachers Pension (Teaching Staff).
• Generous holiday entitlement from your first day of employment (37 days holiday rising to 39 days after 5 years’ service including Bank Holidays).
• Access to Medicash Health & Wellbeing Plan: Enjoy health services designed to support your well-being.
• Free DiscountForTeachers Scheme for all staff (Support and Teaching), Exclusive discounts to save money with a wide selection of discounts and exclusive offers from hundreds of the biggest brands.
• Free Eye Tests.
• Cycle to work scheme.
• Access to our Institute of Education and fantastic opportunities to help you grow, contribute and flourish in your role and in the Trust.

We know our people are the key to our success and so we’re committed to ensuring the employment experience at Shaw Education Trust is a rewarding one.

Actual Salary: £26,170 - £29,374

Working hours: 37 hours per week – Term Time Only - 38 weeks plus 5 Inset Days.