Dear Applicant,
Higher Level Teaching Assistant (HLTA)
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
Post: Higher Level Teaching Assistant
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!
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.
