Higher Level Teaching Assistant Small Schools Group

About the job

Key information

Based at Winsham C of E and Buckland St Mary C of E Primary Schools

• Somerset Grade 12 – Actual salary £21,234 pa
• 32.5 hrs per week – 08.30 to 15.30 – Mon – Fri – 38 weeks a year – Permanent
• Start date; September 2026

The Academies for Character and Excellence has twenty Primary Schools across Devon & Somerset, making up a dynamic and innovative learning organisation.

We live our mission and return to this constantly to help guide every action. At the heart of all we do is the pursuit of excellence; we want to grow an exceptional Trust comprised of excellent schools. We are achieving this through our shared core values of collaboration, community, equity, and of course uncompromising excellence.

We are truly collaborative, and we work together within and across our schools to ensure that all our children and staff members achieve their potential. Together we work to create a full and rich curriculum offer allowing everyone to flourish – we translate our vision of excellence into our everyday practice. We are proud of our outcomes, but we aspire to achieve more than just academic excellence for our children. We also want our children to become healthy thinkers, curious explorers, caring citizens, knowledgeable participants and confident individuals.

We aim to serve our communities, and our schools make every effort to connect with families, local community groups and organisations to ensure that our children and families are nurtured, supported and provided with opportunities through our schools.

Our value of equity leads us to want the very best of every child and every staff member. The Academies for Character and Excellence believes in ‘Personal Growth for All’, and we are committed to tackle inequalities and overcome disadvantage and to provide bespoke opportunities for professional learning for all.

What will I be doing?

We are seeking to appoint an exceptional candidate to work in our Small Schools Group – a cluster of five village schools on the Somerset & Devon Border. The successful candidate will primarily be based in Buckland St Mary Primary and Winsham Primary Schools, supporting classes and providing PPA cover for class teachers.

What kind of experience or qualifications do I need?

Through the recruitment process, we are looking to appoint a candidate who:

• Will be enthusiastic, flexible and highly motivated to prepare and deliver lessons to individuals, groups and whole classes in the planned absence of the teacher, i.e. for PPA or leadership duties;
• Has relevant HLTA or equivalent qualifications or the desire to do so;
• Will work collaboratively with teaching staff and assist teachers in the whole curriculum planning cycle and the management/preparation of resources;
• Will need to be able to cover classes across the schools;
• SEND experience advantageous but not essential;
• Will be expected to show a high degree of initiative and be able to react to given solutions with integrity and compassion;
• Can inspire and motivate children and enable them to be the best that they can be;
• Has the ability to encourage every child to learn, aspire and achieve;
• Has the enthusiasm, skill and desire to make a difference
• Has a driving licence and access to a vehicle to be able to travel between schools

We welcome applications from highly motivated individuals who will work effectively as part of our excellent small schools team and contribute to wider school life, building positive relationships with all members of our community. We are looking for applicants who are dedicated to making a difference to children’s lives and to ensure every child has the opportunities they deserve

DBS check

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Therefore, an enhanced DBS clearance is required for this post.

Supporting documents and information

For further information, please contact our HR Advisor andrea.johnson@acexcellence.co.uk or to arrange a visit of the school in term time you can contact the school direct on 0146 30377 (Winsham) 01460 234251 (Buckland).

An application form is available to download either from our website. Applications must be completed and emailed to recruitment@acexcellence.co.uk by 9am on Friday 4 September 2026 with interview date to be arranged.

*We reserve the right to close this advert early should sufficient and suitable applications be received.

Apply now