Job Description
HLTA (SEMH/SEN)Wilds Lodge School - Rutland
£25,674 Actual Salary (inclusive of £3,000 for HLTA responsibilities)
Permanent and Term Time OnlyStart date: September 2026
Job role We are excited to offer the opportunity to join our wonderful school and work with our exceptional learners. We are currently recruiting for a Higher Level Teaching Assistant (HLTA) to join our well established, friendly and supportive team where your input will be key in achieving positive outcomes for our young people
The appointed person will support teachers in the delivery of lessons, produce and present learning material, and help with administrative tasks such as marking. You will also support and maintain a high level of learner engagement through collaborative preparation and delivery of an innovative, creative and flexible curriculum. We ask that you use a collaborative and multi-agency holistic approach to delivering a therapeutic education provision which includes attention to health and safety awareness, risk management and the safeguarding of young people.
The HLTA will be expected to achieve positive outcomes for all young people by leading by example, providing professionalism at all times and ensuring high levels of commitment, good child care practice and safeguarding to young people.
What you'll need to succeedWe are seeking people who thrive on working in a challenging but immensely rewarding environment, who are passionate about supporting the development of social, life and independence skills and who truly want to make a difference in the lives of young people. Experience of working with people with autism is not necessary, but a commitment to learning is.
You will have a broad knowledge of strategies used for working with children and young people with social, emotional and mental health needs (SEMH) and those who have a diagnosis of autistic spectrum disorder (ASD).
About Wilds Lodge
Wilds Lodge School is an independent 38 week specialist boarding and day provision for boys and girls (girls are accepted as day learners only) for learners aged between 5 and 19 with social, emotional and mental health difficulties, set in Empingham, Rutland. All the learners at the school have an Education Health and Care Plan (EHCP). It was established in 2007 and aims to place an equal emphasis on the educational, social and psychological development of our learners. The key to the success of the school is a strong ethos, developed by a highly experienced and capable staff, and the strength of the relationships between the staff and the learners.
We are a friendly school where staff are supportive of each other inside and outside of the classroom. We pride ourselves in ensuring all members of staff including our support staff have access to regular training. All our members of staff attend regular training on child protection; mental health and multi-agency working. All staff access a wide range of training on areas of SEN such as Autism, attachment and ADHD.
Desirable experience/qualifications
* GCSE grade 4 (or equivalent) in both Maths and English.
* HLTA Qualification (or willingness to complete).
* Knowledge, understanding and experience of Autism as well as a broad knowledge of strategies used for teaching learners with SEMH and ACS.
* A valid driving licence is required
Benefits include:
* Free onsite parking
* Free refreshments and meals whilst on duty
* Company events
* Gym membership
* Access to an employee assistance programme
* Group life cover 2 x salary from day 1
* Excellent CPD packages, paid induction training and opportunities for part funding of further training including HLTA, Master Degrees and Teacher Training
* Excellent promotion and career progression
* Sick pay
* 3 days off paid for dependants sickness
* Enhanced paid family friendly leave
Our learners are incredibly important to us; if you have a caring nature, you're interested in making a real difference and impacting positively on the lives of our learners, we would love to hear from you.
How to apply: For more information and a full application pack, please contact Mike Sherwin on the below details:
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Closing date for applications: Wednesday 10th June 2026
Interview date: TBC
Strong applications may be considered upon receiptThe School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. The following is expected of all staff:All post holders are subject to appropriate vetting procedures and a satisfactory enhanced DBS check
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