Higher Level Teaching Assistant (Compass Plus) at The Compass Centre

Higher Level Teaching Assistant: Fixed Term in the first instance until 31 August 2027

Hours: Hours available between 32-37 hours per week by negotiation, worked over 5 days

Paid Weeks: Term Time including INSET Days (45.05 paid weeks)

Salary Scale: Grade 9, points 19-25 depending on experience. Actual salary range for 32 hours per week - £24,752 - £28,067 PA (£33,119 - £37,563 PA FTE)

Compass Learning Centre is looking to appoint an experienced, qualified Higher Level Teaching Assistant (HLTA) starting as soon as possible, joining our team to work predominantly within our exciting off-site provision, Compass Plus. This project is based in premises on the outskirts of Dorchester, working alongside existing Compass staff and specialist instructors.

The role will involve leading, supporting, planning and delivering up to four GCSE subjects including English, Maths, Vocational Studies and Life Skills, alongside supporting with the delivery of a variety of outdoor education activities.

The successful candidate will also undertake the role of Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead, for which full training will be given.

Compass Plus caters for students with a range of educational needs who are Key Stage 4, Years 10 or 11. Hours of work are 32 hours per week over 5 days, term time including INSET days.  This post is fixed term until 31 August 2027 in the first instance with the potential to become permanent.

The salary range for this post is Dorset Council Grade 9, points 19-25 dependent on experience.

This post would suit someone who enjoys working outdoors, has a passion for working with young people, and who would like to make a difference to lives of young people with complex needs and challenging behaviour.

This position is challenging but rewarding and will require you to work both alongside teachers and other education professionals, as well as independently under teachers' direction, supporting the work of groups of children and individuals. Duties are varied, depending on the special needs of the students concerned.

The successful candidate will:

• Have achieved a minimum of5 GCSEs (or equivalent) at grade 4 / C or above, including English and Mathematics
• Qualified HLTA status
• Ideally have experience working with young people with complex needs and challenging behaviours and experience or interest in working in outdoor education or education out of the traditional classroom environment
• Promote the inclusion of all students
• Contribute to the safeguarding and protection of all students

The young people we educate have struggled to maintain a place in mainstream school and come to us with a variety of additional needs. Our challenge is to help them build the confidence, knowledge and skills to unlock their potential. This role will suit someone who is caring, understanding and can demonstrate energy and enthusiasm with a strong positive behaviour management ethos. Class sizes are small and all our students need bespoke individualised learning.

If you are a good team player, who is motivated, patient, resilient, understanding and have the ability to establish a rapport with young people in a busy and lively setting, this may be the job for you. You will be joining an outstanding, hardworking and friendly team of staff.

Further details including a job description and person specification are included in the attached Information for Applicants, however if you are interested in this post, have any questions, would like to discuss this position or would like more information, please contact Michelle Nokes, Heads PA.

Telephone: 01305 206530. Email: [email protected].

The closing date for receipt of applications is Midnight on Sunday 22 November 2026.

Please ensure that your application is completed in full, listing and detailing all qualifications from secondary school up to the most recent qualifications gained and a full employment history is stated from school until present day.

The Compass Centre values the diversity of our workforce and welcomes applications from all sectors of the community.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people; this is a commitment which we expect all staff and volunteers to share. The successful candidate will be required to have a Disclosure and Barring Service check in line with the Governments safer recruitment guidelines.

The pro rata salary shown is based on the number of hours and weeks worked and includes appropriate paid annual leave and bank holiday entitlements.

The salary quoted is the annual salary for the position at the time of advert. The salary will be paid in equal monthly instalments and will be adjusted at the start of employment and again if leaving part way through the school year to ensure the correct salary is received for the work completed in an academic year.

This role is UK based and your Right to Work will need to be established as part of the appointment process.

This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (ROA) 1974. The amendments to the ROA 1974 (Exceptions Order 1975, (2013 and 2020)) provide that when applying for certain jobs and activities, certain spent convictions and cautions are ‘protected’, so they do not need to be disclosed to employers, and if they are disclosed, employers cannot take them into account. The MOJ’s guidance on the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and the Exceptions Order 1975, provides information about which convictions must be declared during job applications and related exceptions and further information about filtering offences can be found in the DBS filtering guide.

Keeping Children Safe in Education

The Compass Centre will conduct online searches of shortlisted candidates. This check will be part of a safeguarding check, and the search will purely be based on whether an individual is suitable to work with children. All aspects of social media and internet searches will be conducted. As care must be taken to avoid unconscious bias and any risk of discrimination, a person who is not on the appointment panel will conduct the searches and will only share information if and when findings are relevant and of concern.