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- Tasks: Support students with autism and additional needs in a dynamic learning environment.
- Company: Join the vibrant community at St John the Baptist School in Woking.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible hours, professional development, and a generous benefits package.
- Other info: Be part of a supportive team that values your wellbeing and growth.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in students' lives while developing your career.
- Qualifications: Passion for education and experience with special needs support.
The predicted salary is between 21957 - 23523 £ per year.
We are seeking to appoint a number of enthusiastic, flexible and resilient Higher Level Teaching Assistants to join our newly established Aquinas Centre Autism provision. We currently have three HLTA roles available:
- HLTA 1: Experience of, or a strong interest in, physical and sensory needs, including support linked to Occupational Therapy (OT) and Physiotherapy.
- HLTA 2: Experience of, or a strong interest in, Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH).
- HLTA 3: Experience of, or a strong interest in, speech, language and communication needs.
Successful applicants will work flexibly as specialist HLTAs, delivering high-quality support to students with autism and additional needs. Support will take place both in and out of the classroom, on a one-to-one or small group basis. The role is designed to enable students to flourish academically, socially and emotionally during their designated centre time, (30%), and to successfully apply these skills within the high-expectation environment of the main school (70%).
The role directly supports the mission of SJB and the Aquinas Centre: to value every individual, remove barriers to learning, and enable all students to achieve their God given potential.
The post is available from June on a permanent basis for 33.25 hours per week, across 40 weeks per year (39 weeks term-time plus one additional week during the school holidays to support bespoke packages of need). The core hours of work are from Monday - 8.15am to 3.45pm, Tuesday - Friday 8.30am to 4.00pm.
St John the Baptist is a highly successful school where you can flourish and develop your career. It is a school where teachers can teach effectively in classrooms with students that have a real thirst to learn. Furthermore, it is a place where you will be valued, and your wellbeing is considered as being of great importance. We believe the most effective learning takes place when staff feel happy, supported and appreciated, and we understand the vital role that support staff play in ensuring this.
If you would like to know more about the role, please contact Lisa Kenny who is the Assistant Head and SENCO.
Location: Woking, Surrey - 15 minute walk from the train station and excellent transport links via A3 and M25
Contract type: Permanent
Hours: 33.25 pw / 39 weeks pa
Start Date: 1 June 2026
Pay Scale: PS5 FTE £27,634 - £29,604, (actual £21,957 - £23,523 based on the pro-rata hours)
Closing Date: 9am on Wednesday 13 May 2026
Interviews: w/c 18 May 2026
About our School: St John the Baptist School, part of the Xavier Catholic Education Trust, is a highly successful, over-subscribed mixed Catholic school and sixth form based in Woking, Surrey. We are incredibly proud of our school community and in particular our students who are hardworking, well-balanced and enjoy both learning and spending time with each other and our staff. We work in a very positive culture and strive to make all students’ time at school some of the happiest times of their lives.
Our staff are vibrant, enthusiastic, and passionate about ensuring our students get the very best deal. Standards at SJB are high and academic progress excellent. We work closely with the Xavier Teaching School Hub, Teach SouthEast SCITT and Schools Alliance for Excellence (SAfE) and lead the North East Hants and Surrey Maths Hub.
Our Ethos: SJB is a community where every individual is highly valued and where care and concern for others is central to our work. We aim to blend academic learning with excellence pastoral care so that all students and staff thrive and feel successful.
As an employee at SJB, we offer an excellent benefits package including:
- Corporate discount package provided by Edenred (including pre-tax car scheme, cycle-to-work scheme, dental insurance and many other retailer discounts)
- Flexible opportunities for part-time staff
- Mentor/Coach
- Excellent training and professional development opportunities both within the school and across the Trust including access to the National College Online, SAfE and all NPQs fully funded
- Generous Pension Scheme (LGPS)
- Ability to book MOT through the school with onsite pick-up/drop-off
- Free annual flu vaccination
- Excellent onsite catering facility
- Free use of the onsite gym (6-8am and 5-8pm weekdays)
- Weekly dry-cleaning pick-up/drop-off service
- Tax free Apple laptop/desktop purchasing scheme with optional payment plan
- Regular staff social events
- Discretionary time off for one-off, special events
- Opportunities to shape the future of our school – staff voice/feedback is incredibly important to us.
Get in touch if you would like to come and visit us and find out more about this vacancy!
Safeguarding Statement: This School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. The Successful applicant will be required to undertake an enhanced check via the Disclosure and Barring Service.
Higher Level Teaching Assistant NEW in Woking employer: Xavier Catholic Education Trust
Contact Detail:
Xavier Catholic Education Trust Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Higher Level Teaching Assistant NEW in Woking
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the school! Research St John the Baptist School and its values. When you understand their ethos, you can tailor your approach during interviews to show how you fit right in.
✨Tip Number 2
Network like a pro! Connect with current or former staff on LinkedIn or other platforms. They can give you insider tips about the school culture and what they look for in a Higher Level Teaching Assistant.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for the interview by practising common questions. Think about how your experience aligns with the specific needs of the Aquinas Centre Autism provision. Show them you’re ready to make a difference!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining the team at St John the Baptist School.
We think you need these skills to ace Higher Level Teaching Assistant NEW in Woking
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion: When writing your application, let your enthusiasm for supporting students shine through. We want to see how much you care about making a difference in their lives, especially those with autism and additional needs.
Tailor Your Experience: Make sure to highlight any relevant experience or interests that align with the specific HLTA roles we're offering. Whether it's physical needs, SEMH, or communication skills, we want to know how your background fits into our mission.
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application straightforward and to the point. Use clear language and avoid jargon. We appreciate a well-structured application that makes it easy for us to see why you're a great fit for the role.
Apply Through Our Website: Don't forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity at St John the Baptist School.
How to prepare for a job interview at Xavier Catholic Education Trust
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you understand the role of a Higher Level Teaching Assistant and the specific needs of students with autism and additional needs. Familiarise yourself with relevant strategies and support methods, especially those linked to Occupational Therapy, Physiotherapy, and Social, Emotional, and Mental Health.
✨Show Your Passion
During the interview, let your enthusiasm for supporting students shine through. Share personal experiences or anecdotes that highlight your commitment to helping students flourish academically and emotionally. This will resonate well with the school's ethos of valuing every individual.
✨Ask Thoughtful Questions
Prepare some insightful questions about the Aquinas Centre and how the school supports its staff and students. This shows that you're genuinely interested in the role and the school's mission. For example, ask about the training opportunities available for HLTAs or how they measure student progress.
✨Be Ready to Discuss Flexibility
Since the role requires working flexibly both in and out of the classroom, be prepared to discuss how you can adapt your approach to meet the diverse needs of students. Highlight any previous experience where you've successfully tailored your support to different learning styles or challenges.