Higher Level Teaching Assistant - Merley First School

Merley First School is looking for a Higher Level Teaching Assistant to join our fantastic team. Could this be you?

Actual Salary £10,235 - £11,608 per annum (Grade 9)

This job is Part Time - Term Time Only for 13 hours per week and 39 weeks per year. 

It is offered on a Permanent basis.

Approximate start date 14-Dec-2026.

Merley First School is seeking to recruit an enthusiastic and capable Higher Level Teaching Assistant to join our team. 

This is a permanent position for two days per week, 8.30 to 15.30, which may be subject to change according to business need.

The HLTA role is there to cover the class teacher’s PPA and other release time. The position will be working in the classroom delivering agreed learning activities in the teacher’s absence, supporting the children and enabling them to achieve their full learning potential. There will be some element of planning lessons but all activities will be under the supervision of the class teacher.  An HLTA must be able to demonstrate sufficient knowledge and understanding to help pupils make progress with their learning and enable them to achieve their full learning potential. Experience of working with children in a school environment is essential

We are looking for someone who:

• is willing to embrace, support and develop the ethos of our school

• is able to work on their own initiative and as part of a team, committed to achieving the best possible outcome for our children 

• can lead, inspire and motivate children in line with the school’s vision and values

• can work creatively with the curriculum  to assist in all aspects of children's learning

• can provide support, care and supervision of pupils within the school, promoting positive expectations of pupils’ behaviour

• has positive and mutually supportive relationships with colleagues 

• relish opportunities to develop their own practice

• has good interpersonal and communication skills

Please refer to the attached job description for more details about the role.  

If you have any further questions, please contact Nikki Daunt 01202 888455 or by emailing [email protected]

Closing date: Wednesday 25th November 2026

Interview Date: Friday 4th December 2026

Merley First School 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.

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 school 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.

Merley First School is a two form entry First School set on the outskirts of Wimborne, and is part of Initio Learning Trust. It is a vibrant school that is well resourced; has extensive opportunities for outdoor learning; has a happy, friendly and supportive staff team, a commitment to professional development and eager children who want to do their best.

For more information please visit our school website

We welcome visits to our school - if you would like to arrange a visit or require more information, please refer to the contact details above.

Initio Learning Trust provides:

• A supportive and welcoming environment with a genuine commitment to professional development.

• A flexible, equal opportunities workplace.

• Access to the local government or teachers pension scheme.

• Employee benefits including a Health Cash Plan and Cycle to Work scheme.