Higher Level Teaching Assistant (HLTA) - Outdoor Learning Pathway Lead - Fixed Term - Special Needs Position

Rowhill School, Longfield

• Ref:KCC886-7044-170S
• Posted:24/07/2026
• Pay:Kent Scale D
• Start Date:September 2026
• App Close Date:01/09/2026 at 17:00
• Interviews:TBC

Advert

What are our pupils looking for?

1. Someone who enjoys being outdoors and likes working with animals.
2. Someone who is patient, caring and understands that everyone learns differently.
3. Someone who can teach us practical skills and help us succeed.
4. Someone who enjoys active learning such as cooking, growing things, building projects and outdoor adventures.
5. Someone who genuinely cares about us and wants to see us succeed.
6. Someone who can help us feel confident and proud of ourselves and can help us learn in non-conventional ways and support us in recording our learning and progress.
7. Someone who understands or is willing to learn about Autism, ADHD and mental health

Our support team Speech and Language Therapist, Play Therapist and Occupational Health Therapist. 

The successful candidate will take responsibility for a small group of up to six pupils accessing our Orchard Outdoor Learning Pathway. Working closely with teachers, therapists, families and external providers, you will coordinate and deliver engaging learning experiences.

You will act as the key adult for the group, creating a safe and nurturing environment where pupils can develop resilience, confidence, emotional regulation and independence.

You do not need previous special school experience, although experience of working with children and young people with SEND or SEMH would be advantageous. What is essential is a commitment to improving life chances for vulnerable young people, a willingness to learn and a passion for practical and outdoor learning.

A full UK driving licence is essential and applicants willing to obtain a minibus licence would be particularly welcomed.

What we can offer you:

• Small class sizes (6-9 per class)
• Excellent staff support package.
• Childcare vouchers.
• Employee Assistance programme.
• A supportive team who work together and support each other.
• A creative and engaging curriculum with opportunities for innovation.
• Great CPD opportunities and commitment to developing professional practice relating promoting mental and emotional fitness. A commitment from Leadership to promote and support innovation.  Funded pathways into teaching available for graduates as part of the on-going CPD program.
• Apprenticeship routes for staff wishing to undertake professional qualifications.

Please see the JD and person specification.  For further information call the Headteacher, Nathalie Fitzgerald on 01474 705 377 for an informal discussion about the position. Visits are welcomed.

As part of KCSIE 2025 all applicants will be subject on on-line searches.  Applicants must be able to form and maintain appropriate professional relationships and boundaries with children, young people and other vulnerable adults. Applicants should have the ability to understand the difficulties and pressures associated with caring for children/vulnerable adults and demonstrate appropriate coping mechanisms.

As a thriving and diverse school, we know diversity fosters creativity and innovation. We are committed to equality of opportunity, to being fair and inclusive, and to being a place where all belong.

Rowhill School is committed to promoting the safeguarding of children. Please note that this position requires as enhanced DBS and safeguarding checks will be carried out prior to appointment.

Information about the school

Rowhill School is a specialist school for young people aged 7-16 with Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH) needs. We work hard to build resilience, social skills and emotional wellbeing, enabling pupils to develop confidence, achieve success and move on to further education, employment or apprenticeships. Due to the continued development of our Alternative Curriculum Provision, we are seeking an enthusiastic, creative and nurturing teacher to join our team. This is an exciting opportunity to work with pupils who benefit from highly personalised educational programmes delivered in small groups and on a 1:1 basis. The successful candidate will have a passion for helping vulnerable young people re-engage with learning and achieve outcomes that many may have previously thought impossible. Our pupils have EHCPs and additional needs which may include SEMH, anxiety-related disorders, Emotional Based School Non-Attendance (EBSNA), Autism and ADHD. They need adults who are patient, consistent, relational and genuinely committed to helping them succeed. Our pupils feel that the best 5 things about our school are: 1. We have animals (3 dogs, chicks, chickens, hamsters, rats and reptiles). 2. The way that staff support us, they understand that we can get overwhelmed, anxious and frustrated, school helps to bring out the best in us. 3. Pupils are kind and we help each other. 4. We feel safe at Rowhill, the school is small and very welcoming. 5. Daily enrichment, we have lessons in the morning and in the afternoon, we enjoy enrichment and therapeutic activities.

Job Contact Information

• Name:Samantha Owen
• Address:Main Road, Longfield, Kent, DA3 7PW
• Telephone: 01474 705377
• Email: owens@rowhill.kent.sch.uk

Documents

Below are documents that have been added to this vacancy.

• Job Description
• Welcome Pack