Hlta - Part-time

St Francis Catholic Primary School, Maidstone

• Ref:KCC886-5207-83S
• Posted:17/03/2026
• Pay:KSD
• Start Date:TBC
• App Close Date:14/04/2026 at 23:45
• Interviews:Friday 24th April

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We’re Hiring for a Higher Level Teaching Assistant (HLTA)

St Francis Catholic Primary School is seeking a skilled, confident and compassionate Higher Level Teaching Assistant (HLTA) to join our dedicated team. This is an exciting opportunity for someone who is passionate about supporting high‑quality teaching and learning, delivering targeted interventions, and stepping into class‑lead responsibilities with confidence and professionalism.

Role Overview

Hours: 18.75 / week (08:30–15:15, Monday to Wednesday)

Responsible to: SENCo

The HLTA will work closely with teachers and the SENCo to support pupils’ learning, deliver specialist interventions, and ensure continuity of education by leading pre‑planned lessons across year groups. This role is central to promoting positive learning experiences, supporting pupils with SEND, and contributing to a nurturing, inclusive school environment.

About the Role

As an HLTA at St Francis, you will play a vital role in supporting pupils’ learning, wellbeing and progress across the school. You will:

• Lead classes independently in the absence of the teacher.
• Plan, deliver and evaluate targeted intervention groups across a range of needs.
• Support pupils with SEND and behavioural needs through adaptive, inclusive practice.
• Use assessment tools and tracking software to identify gaps, close barriers to learning and extend higher‑ability pupils.
• Contribute to the Assess–Plan–Do–Review (APDR) cycle and support the SENCo in developing high‑quality provision.

This role requires a confident practitioner who can combine strong classroom leadership with a nurturing, trauma‑informed approach.

Essential Criteria

Qualifications

• HLTA Qualification/Status demonstrating all HLTS standards (including planning and leading learning).

Experience & Knowledge

• Significant experience supporting pupils with diverse needs, including SEND and behavioural challenges.
• Proven experience planning, leading and evaluating intervention groups (SEND, higher ability, closing the gap).
• Confident use of school tracking systems and gap‑analysis tools to drive pupil progress
• Strong understanding of the APDR cycle and its application to pupil development.

Skills & Abilities

• Ability to independently and effectively lead a class, including behaviour management aligned with school policy.
• Strong assessment, recording and reporting skills with excellent attention to detail.
• Ability to support personal care needs, including intimate care, following school policy.
• Proven ability to support individuals and groups to access the curriculum and develop independent learning.
• Effective teamwork, communication and adaptability

We warmly welcome visits to the school, please contact the school office on 01622 771540 to book your appointment.

How to Apply

If you are interested in applying for the job position, please click on the button below which will take you through the application process using the job description and person specification.

Information about the school

St Francis is a popular, inclusive, well- equipped primary school serving a wide Catholic community in Maidstone and beyond. We are a large two form entry school with 420 pupils on roll. The school is housed in a modern building which includes an open plan library. All classes are well resourced and have promethean boards and visualisers.

We are a hardworking, dedicated and enthusiastic team described by Ofsted as “an impressive professional workforce, committed to ensuring that all pupils make progress”. We are committed to enabling all children to achieve the very best they can through a dynamic, creative and questioning curriculum. Staff development is always focused on ensuring outstanding teaching and learning, with challenge for all.

We have a highly skilled workforce which includes specialist staff who support children with learning and emotional needs in a supportive, dedicated environment which is specially resourced.

Our most recent Ofsted inspection in March 2024, judged the school to be good.

Tolerance, mutual respect and understanding are central to the excellent relationships and standards of behaviour within the school.

Our children are energetic and friendly and enjoy taking responsibility for themselves and others. We believe in developing the whole child in a happy and safe environment where high expectations of learning and discipline ensure that all are able to achieve academically, spiritually and socially.

We provide an outstanding Catholic education with many opportunities for our children to become immersed in the liturgical life of the school and our parish through daily assemblies, masses and other services.

Our community is enriched through strong relationships with all stakeholders – children, staff, parents, governors and friends work together to secure the best outcomes for our children. You would receive a very warm welcome to our school community.

Job Contact Information

• Name:Mrs Victoria Ebdon
• Address:Queen's Road, Maidstone, Kent, ME16 0LB
• Telephone: (01622) 771540
• Email: generalenquiries@stfranciscatholicprimary.com

Documents

Below are documents that have been added to this vacancy.

• HLTA Job Specification
• HLTA Job Description