The Leigh Academy has a rare and exciting opportunity to appoint an enthusiastic, motivated and experienced Higher Level Teaching Assistant (HLTA) to join our highly collaborative and supportive team from September 2022. ​​​​​​​Our successful candidate will support curriculum delivery across the Academy through working collaboratively with teachers, teaching assistants and mentors.

The HLTA will be able to encourage pupils to become independent learners, whilst providing appropriate support for pupils with special educational needs. This role would suit an experienced teaching assistant seeking the next step in their career and we would particularly welcome applications from those who are hearing impairment specialists and hold the Level 1, 2 or 3 British Sign Language (BSL) qualification.

This position is ideal for those seeking to embark on teacher training, as this role offers first hand experience and exposure to classroom teaching and the opportunity of working directly with our teaching staff.

This basis of this role is permanent and offers an actual salary of £17,881 per annum (£20,789 full time equivalent) based on 37 hours per week, Term Time + 1 week inset.





Working with us at The Leigh Academy: The Leigh Academy is a secondary school at the heart of the community and our small school model ensures that each and every student gets the personal support and challenge they need to reach their full potential. Overall the academy is a dynamic and exciting place to work and the fantastic leadership team are committed to making it a great place to work for staff at all stages of their career. As the flagship academy of Leigh Academies Trust we have an inspirational building hosting modern technology and great facilities. We ensure that our students are prepared both academically and socially for their futures. We ensure that students’ talents and interests are nurtured through our broad and balanced curriculum, in particular through the delivery of the International Baccalaureate Middle Years Programme in Years 7, 8 and 9, having been accredited as an IB World School in December 2020 for our Key Stage 3 curriculum, and previously in 2017 for our International Baccalaureate Careers Pathway in Key Stage 5, which sits alongside our offer of A Levels and BTECS. We take pride in being the first school in the UK to have been awarded The Healthy Minds School kite mark, in recognition of successful involvement in the Healthy Minds curriculum delivery, demonstrating a commitment to the personal development of students and staff.

We strive for excellence in all that we do whilst ‘Opening minds to Success’. This is reflected in our dedicated staff and our consistent approach to teaching and learning to ensure all of our students are happy, successful and resilient to the challenges they face. Our intention is to work in close partnership with parents and carers to ensure that students of all abilities, interests and talents are given every opportunity to be part of our inspiring, challenging and supportive community. We work hard to ensure all staff are supported in their current and next stage of their career journey, ensuring staff are able to access NPQ courses and other further training opportunities within the Leigh Academies Trust and externally.

Everyone who visits us is impressed by our students, the working atmosphere, the sheer sense of enjoyment in the learning process and the strong focus on achievement.

Please click here to view our website and learn more about The Leigh Academy.



Being part of Leigh Academies Trust: As of 1st September 2021, our Trust comprises 30 geographically organised academies (14 secondaries, 14 primaries and 2 special) educating 20,000 students, and employing over 2,500 talented staff. The Trust is establishing four ‘clusters’ of academies: North West Kent; Central Kent; South East London; Medway. In addition, the Trust is responsible for one of the region’s biggest initial teaching training organisations, a large teaching school hub and is an accredited apprenticeship provider. Click here to view our future plans in our Vision 2030 document. ​​​​​​​

As part of Leigh Academies Trust you will have ample opportunity to collaborate with your peers both within the academy and across the whole Trust. This is an important part of our vision as we know through experience that we perform better when we work together. You are supported to undertake regular self-development to continue your professional development and hopefully progress further within the organisation.

Click here to view the range of benefits available to all LAT staff. ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

Our commitment to safeguarding: Leigh Academies Trust and all of our academies are committed to ensuring the highest levels of safeguarding and promoting the welfare of our pupils, and we expect all our staff and volunteers to share this commitment. We adopt a fair, robust and consistent recruitment process across all academies and business units. All offers of employment are subject to an Enhanced DBS check, references, and where applicable, a prohibition from teaching check.

Our commitment to equality and diversity: As a Trust we are passionate about diversity and recognise that as individuals, we all bring something unique to the role regardless of any protected characteristics which is why we treat all of our people equally, without compromise. We are committed to providing equality and fairness throughout our recruitment and employment practices and not to discriminate on any grounds.

Based on the quality and quantity of applications received, Leigh Academies Trust reserves the right to close this vacancy sooner than the specified closing date. Applicants will be notified of this where possible. Therefore, early applications are encouraged.