Hours: Full time (8am-4pm, Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, 8-5pm Tuesdays) term time only

Start date: September 2026

Your new school

Gretton School welcomes autistic children and young people aged from 5-19 years old, as weekly boarders or as day learners.

Every learner at Gretton has a diagnosis of Autism, and the ability to learn at or above the level of their mainstream peers, but require a specialist setting in order to achieve their remarkable potential.

As autism specialists, we understand that consistent daily routines and staffing helps to keep anxiety at a minimum and ensures that our learners feel safe and confident in their surroundings.

We have a high staff to learner ratio and classes are small and personal - we know each of our learners really well and employ the best strategies to support them in their everyday school life.

A broad curriculum, an emphasis on holistic development, and the development of life and social skills, means that we are able to bring out the best in all our learners, and to provide them with opportunities to flourish.

At whatever stage a young person joins Gretton, we will ensure they are happy and prepared to make the most of the opportunities, responsibilities and experiences of life.

Your new role

As a Higher Level Teaching Assistant (HLTA), you will play a key role in supporting students with autism to thrive in both their learning and personal development. Working closely with teachers, therapists and families, you will help deliver engaging, structured and meaningful learning experiences.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Supporting teaching and learning by adapting activities and preparing resources to meet individual needs
• Organising the classroom environment to create a stimulating and supportive space
• Monitoring progress, recording achievement, and producing reports including annual reviews
• Delivering targeted support and pastoral care to designated students
• Implementing positive behaviour strategies and supporting students' emotional regulation
• Liaising regularly with parents, therapists and colleagues to ensure a joined-up approach
• Contributing to safeguarding, wellbeing and the overall school community

This is a rewarding opportunity to make a genuine difference in a specialist setting where no two days are the same.

What you'll need to succeed

To succeed in this HLTA role, you will bring both the right experience and the right mindset when working with young people with autism:

• HLTA qualification (or willingness to work towards it)
• GCSE Maths and English (Grade C/4 or above or equivalent)
• Experience or strong understanding of autism (ASC) and relevant support strategies
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, including working with parents and professionals
• Ability to stay calm under pressure and adapt quickly in a dynamic environment
• A proactive, organised and reflective approach to supporting learning and behaviour
• Commitment to safeguarding and promoting the wellbeing of young people

Experience in a school setting, contributing to EHCPs, or supporting social skills development is advantageous.

What you'll get in return

• A supportive, close-knit team with a strong "family" culture
• Opportunities for ongoing training and professional development
• The chance to work in a specialist setting with highly skilled colleagues and multidisciplinary support
• Small class sizes and the opportunity to build meaningful relationships with students
• A rewarding role where you can see the direct impact of your work every day
• Term-time working pattern supporting work-life balance

We reserve the right to close vacancies early if we have sufficient suitable applications. Therefore we encourage interested applicants to submit an application as soon as possible.

Safeguarding recruitment statement

Gretton School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people, and expects all staff to share this commitment, applicants must be willing to undergo child protection screening, including checks with employers and the Disclosure & Barring Service. We aim to be a fair employer and are committed to equal opportunities. Gretton School does not discriminate against employees on the basis of gender, ethnic origin, disability or age.

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