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Higher Level Teaching Assistant (HLTA)
Location: Claystone School, Luton, Bedfordshire
Salary: Up to £24,000 per annum (dependent on experience – not pro rata)
Hours: 37.5 hours per week | Monday to Friday, 8:15am – 4:15pm
Contract: Permanent | Term Time Only
Start Date: September 2025
This role does not offer visa sponsorship – UK applicants only.
We’re rolling out our 4-Day Working Week (4DWW) initiative across the school within the next year once we reach full staffing – so there’s never been a better time to join #TeamOFG.
Are you an innovative and compassionate Higher Level Teaching Assistant ready to make a real difference?
We're looking for a passionate, experienced HLTA to join the founding team at our brand-new Options Autism School – Claystone School, opening in January 2025 in Luton.
This is a rare and exciting opportunity to help shape the culture, values, and learning environment of a brand-new setting. Claystone School will support 48 pupils aged 4–11 with Autism Spectrum Conditions (ASC) and complex needs, offering a nurturing and personalised education experience from day one.
About the Role
As a Higher Level Teaching Assistant, you will be a key part of our classroom and school community, helping deliver engaging learning and supporting the emotional and academic development of our pupils.
You will:
- Deliver tailored lessons and support learning under the guidance of teaching staff
- Cover lessons in the absence of the teacher when required
- Model and promote positive behaviour support and inclusive practice
- Mentor and guide Teaching Assistants, helping to build a strong, collaborative support team
- Plan and create engaging learning resources
- Track and report on pupil progress, development, and behaviour
- Champion pupil welfare, safeguarding, and individual development
What We’re Looking For
Essential Qualifications & Experience:
- GCSEs (or equivalent) in English and Maths
- Minimum of 2 years’ experience in a school setting
- Proven experience supporting pupils with ASC and complex learning needs
Key Attributes:
- Nurturing, patient, and adaptable
- Confident working independently and as part of a team
- Strong communication and interpersonal skills
- Committed to safeguarding and achieving positive outcomes for pupils
About Claystone School
Claystone School is part of Options Autism, a specialist division of Outcomes First Group—a leading provider with over 16 years of experience supporting children and young people with autism, learning difficulties, and complex needs.
We’re proud to have been named a Great Place to Work® for the fifth consecutive year in 2024, highlighting our commitment to creating a supportive, rewarding work environment.
As a brand-new school, recently opened January 2025, Claystone will provide tailored education to up to 48 primary-aged pupils (4-11) in a carefully designed, therapeutic setting.
Why join Options Autism?
We place the outcomes of the pupils in our services at the heart of everything we do, so you’ll wake every day in the knowledge that your role will have a significant positive impact on the lives of others.
We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of pupils and young people. All applicants will be subject to social media checks and successful applicants to a fully enhanced DBS.
Benefits
Your health and wellbeing are important to us, so you’ll get an exceptional reward package including:
- Life Assurance
- Pension scheme with options to increase your contributions
- “Your Wellbeing Matters” – access to a wide range of first-class mental health support services and physical health checks
And a market-leading benefit offering through our Flexible Benefits Platform, Vista, enables you to choose the package that’s right for you, including:
- A wide range of health, wellbeing, and insurance benefits
- 100’s of discount options valid in the UK and abroad
- Cycle to Work Schemes
- Electric Car Purchase Scheme
- Critical illness cover
- Family Growth Support - inclusive benefits package covering enhanced maternity and paternity leave, along with paid fertility treatment support.
We reserve the right to close the vacancy early if we receive a high volume of suitable applications.
Outcomes First Group is committed to carrying out a fair, thorough and efficient recruitment process in line with Keeping Children Safe in Education. Whilst we aim to keep applicants informed throughout, Outcomes First Group does not accept liability for any loss of earnings or other associated costs incurred by applicants as a result of delays or changes in the compliance process. All stages of the compliance process are subject to necessary safeguarding checks and compliance with statutory requirements, which may affect timescales.
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