Job Title: Higher Level Teaching Assistant (Level 3)
Actual Annual Salary: £27,362 - £29,851 (based on hours and weeks worked)
Full Time Equivalent Salary: £31,954 - £34,860 (CLF Grade D) based on full time, all year round.
Contract Type: Permanent, Term Time Only plus inset days
Hours: Full-time, 37 hours per week, Monday to Friday
Potential Start Date: March/April 2026
Your chance to help shape a supportive, inclusive learning environment
Are you an experienced Teaching Assistant ready to take the next step — or an established HLTA looking for a new challenge? This is your opportunity to make a measurable difference in the lives of young people while developing your own professional expertise.
We are seeking a highly skilled and motivated Higher Level Teaching Assistant (HLTA) – Level 3 to play a significant role in supporting teaching, learning and student development across our academy. In this role, you will take responsibility for planning, developing and delivering agreed learning activities under a clear system of supervision, working with individuals, small groups and, at times, whole classes.
You will help students access the curriculum, engage meaningfully in their learning and achieve their full potential by applying your specialist knowledge, experience and advanced interpersonal skills.
This role is ideal for:
- An experienced Teaching Assistant looking to progress into HLTA-level responsibilities
- A current HLTA seeking a new environment, wider impact or fresh professional challenge
About you:
You will:
- Hold (or be working towards) HLTA status, or have equivalent qualifications or experience that clearly demonstrate the ability to operate at HLTA Level 3.
- Have a strong understanding of classroom roles and responsibilities, recognising how HLTAs support student learning and contribute to high‑quality provision.
- Be able to engage students effectively and manage behaviour on a one‑to‑one, small‑group or whole‑class basis using well‑developed strategies.
- Be committed to undertaking relevant qualifications (e.g. NVQ Level 2/3 in Supporting Teaching & Learning, First Aid) to support ongoing professional development.
- Show confidence in delivering structured learning activities and adapting them to meet the needs of individuals, groups and SEND learners.
- Have strong interpersonal skills, able to communicate effectively, demonstrate empathy and actively listen to support positive relationships with students, staff and parents.
- Demonstrate good planning and organisational skills, with the ability to develop effective learning activities and support materials.
- Be someone with a genuine interest in working with children and a commitment to inclusion, equity and the acceptance of all learners.
Applicants are advised to refer to the full requirements of the role in the attached job description and person specification, prior to submitting an application.
About City Academy Bristol:
City Academy Bristol is a vibrant, diverse and dynamic academy in the centre of Bristol. We provide an inclusive and accessible education, which transforms future opportunities for young people, their families and the community.
We are a well-positioned and well-connected academy with direct connection to the developments in Temple Quarter and key economic areas of east and central Bristol.
Why work at CLF?
We are a diverse and inclusive community of 36 academies across five cluster regions in the South West that is committed to excellence and making a positive impact. Our people bring unique perspectives, but we’re all driven by a shared moral purpose and a passion for making a positive impact, whether in a teaching, leadership or support role. We’re proud to foster a culture where everyone can thrive, feel valued, and make a meaningful difference to the lives of others.
We are an equal opportunity employer and proud to serve a diverse student population and our communities. We strongly believe that representation matters. Over 73% of the students who attend City Academy Bristol are from global majority groups, so we particularly encourage applicants from those groups in order to represent the students we serve, as well as wider underrepresented groups including gender, transgender, age disability, sexual orientation or religion.
We aim to remove any barriers to employment, ensuring everyone can compete on equal terms. Job share, part-time and flexible working opportunities will be considered.
What we can offer you:
- Access to a generous pension through the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS).
- Generous annual leave.
- A comprehensive induction and ongoing commitment to wellbeing and career progression, through a range of training, apprenticeships and in-role/wider-trust development opportunities.
- Well-being support through an Employee Assistance Programme.
- Health benefits, including wellness sessions, gym discounts, and flu jabs.
- A range of generous family leave options, including above industry average occupational maternity pay.
- Additional benefits like cycle to work scheme, on-site parking plus many more!
Recruitment timeline:
- Closing Date: 12 February 2026 @11.59pm
- Shortlisting Date: 13 February 2026
- Interview Date: 19 February 2026
We welcome visits from potential candidates. If you would like to arrange a school visit prior to the closing date, please contact the academy/site directly to arrange a suitable appointment.
As part of our commitment to Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE), we do not accept CVs, a full education and employment history must be provided through our application form.
Please note we are not able to offer visa sponsorship for this role.
We reserve the right to close this vacancy early, should we receive a high level of interest in the role. Therefore, candidates are advised to apply at their earliest convenience to avoid missing out.
As a Disability Confident Committed Employer, we are dedicated to equity and inclusion and commit to interviewing applicants with a disability who meet the essential criteria. We aim to provide an inclusive and accessible recruitment process, and support employees throughout their employment. If you have a disability, are neurodivergent, or require any adjustments to support you through the application or interview process please let us know how we can assist.
The Cabot Learning Federation is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. All roles across the trust have a varying level of responsibility for ensuring safeguarding practice, with some roles holding significant responsibility and involving working with children on a daily basis in regulated activity. Regardless of the level of responsibility and involvement in each role, we expect all staff, visiting professionals and volunteers to share this commitment.
All successful candidates will undergo a comprehensive pre-employment checking process, including an enhanced DBS check (including a further check against the appropriate barred list), references from current and previous employers, health, right to work in the UK, child disqualification (where applicable), prohibition from teaching/management and online checks. You must also tell us about any unspent conviction, cautions, reprimands or warnings under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975.