Higher Level Teaching Assistant (HLTA) Reading - Aurora Vincent House School

Aurora Vincent House School

As part of our growth strategy, we are really pleased to have opened a brand new SEND Secondary School in the heart of Horsham, West Sussex for autistic young people aged 11-16. We are a happy school that values kindness and understanding where everyone feels safe. Most of our students are coming to us from mainstream education to have access to an adapted National Curriculum delivered in small classes with a focus on meeting their sensory needs and support for their emotional wellbeing. Just over half of our students are girls.

Job Details

Actual annual salary: £27,463 - £29,982 dependent on experience

Hourly rate: £15.37 - £16.78 per hour

Contract Type: Permanent, full-time, term time only

Working Pattern: 40 hours per week

Location: Horsham

Start date: September 2026

Higher Level Teaching Assistant (HLTA) – Reading

Vincent House School is looking for a committed Higher Level Teaching Assistant to deliver high-quality teaching and learning while supporting the wellbeing and safety of students, with a key focus on promoting reading across the school.

About the Role

Working closely with the SENCO, Deputy Headteacher and wider school team, you will help lead and embed universal approaches to reading, support vocabulary development in response to examination questions, and promote a love of literature across the school.

This is a varied and rewarding role where you will teach, deliver interventions and help ensure reading is a visible and valued part of school life.

Why Join Us?

Vincent House is a small, specialist school where relationships and wellbeing come first. You'll join a supportive team, receive regular CPD and have opportunities to develop specialist skills in SEND, literacy and inclusive practice. As part of the Aurora Group, you'll be part of an organisation committed to safeguarding, equality and high-quality provision.

What You Need to Succeed

What You'll Bring

We're looking for someone calm, resilient and child-centred, with strong experience supporting students with SEND and neurodivergence. You will bring confidence in delivering learning activities and interventions, a secure understanding of safeguarding and child protection, and the ability to build positive, trusting relationships with young people, families and professionals.

Some essentials include:

• GCSE 4 or above in English and Mathematics
• HLTA status, a Level 4 qualification, or willingness to work towards HLTA
• Experience working with students with SEND and neurodivergence
• A secure understanding of safeguarding and child protection procedures
• Experience managing behaviour positively, including behaviours that challenge
• Strong communication, literacy, organisation and ICT skills
• A flexible, adaptable and solution-focused approach, with an enthusiasm for reading and literacy development

Specialist training such as ELSA, Thrive or ELKLAN is desirable, and Team Teach Level 2 training will be provided by Aurora.

Is This You?

Consider the following:

• Are you confident leading learning activities, delivering interventions and covering classes when needed?
• Can you inspire students to engage with reading, vocabulary and literature in a meaningful way?
• Do you value a neuro-informed, neuro-affirmative and relationship-based approach?
• Are you able to stay calm, compassionate and consistent when supporting students with complex needs or behaviours of concern?
• Do you enjoy working collaboratively with colleagues and families to strengthen student progress and wellbeing?

If these resonate, you'll likely thrive here.

Further Information

What’s on offer!

You will also benefit from a generous package that includes:

• Life assurance
• Enhanced Pension
• Perkbox - offering high street discounts
• Employee assistance programme
• Car lease scheme and bike to work scheme
• Fully funded training and qualifications
• Free membership to our Health cash back plan - Claim back money on services such as dental, optical, physio and many more.

Successful applicants will be subject to pre-employment safeguarding checks including an enhanced disclosure and barring service (DBS) check.

The post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and the Aurora Group is therefore permitted to ask job applicants to declare all convictions and cautions (including those which are "spent" unless they are "protected" under the DBS filtering rules) in order to assess their suitability to work with children.

The Aurora Group is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of the children and young adults in our care and is a disability confident and equal opportunities employer.

This advert could be paused or taken down at any point in time without prior notice if the position is filled or we receive a sufficient number of applications.

Please note that candidates that are shortlisted might be subject to an online search.

Aurora Vincent House School and West Sussex County Council are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. We will ensure that all our recruitment and selection practices reflect this commitment. All successful candidates will be subject to an appropriate Disclosure and Barring Service check along with other relevant employment checks, including satisfactory references.

How to Apply

The reference number for this role is VHSHLTA1.

To apply for this role please visit Aurora Group careers website: Aurora Group - Higher Level Teaching Assistant (HLTA) – Reading (0273)

Please complete the application form and ensure that you outline your motivations for applying and explaining the skills and experience you can bring to the role (please refer to the key skills in the job description). The job description can be downloaded below.

Once complete please return this to ***email_hidden*** - Please ensure you add the reference number in the email subject line.

Should you have any questions regarding the role or the application please feel free to email us or contact us on 07918 585258

NOTE TO CANDIDATES - Please do not select the ‘Apply online’ button as the School processes your applications directly rather than through this site.

Job Reference: SCHO02821