Higher level Teaching Assistant (HLTA)

Confident leading a classroom? Passionate about supporting pupils who need a different approach to education?

We’re looking for a dedicated and resilient HLTA to join a fantastic PRU in South Shields, supporting a primary-aged class on a full-time basis (8:30am–4:00pm).

This is a brilliant opportunity for someone who thrives in a nurturing but structured environment and can confidently lead learning for pupils with SEMH and behavioural needs.

Whether you’ve worked as an HLTA, behaviour mentor, teaching assistant, youth worker, or in alternative provision, we’d love to hear from you.

What you’ll be doing
Leading a primary class independently throughout the school day
Delivering engaging learning activities tailored to pupil needs
Supporting pupils with social, emotional, and behavioural challenges
Creating a safe, structured, and positive classroom environment
Managing behaviour using consistent boundaries and restorative approaches
Working closely with wider staff to support pupil progress and wellbeing

We’re looking for someone who
Holds HLTA status or has significant classroom leadership experience
Is confident leading whole-class learning independently
Has strong behaviour management skills
Builds positive and trusting relationships with pupils
Remains calm, resilient, and adaptable under pressure
Has experience supporting SEMH, behaviour, or SEND needs

Why you’ll love this role
This is more than just classroom support. You’ll help pupils rebuild confidence, re-engage with education, and achieve success in an environment designed around their needs.

Why work with Protocol Education?
✔ Weekly pay through PAYE, no umbrella companies
✔ FREE access to our online CPD Academy
✔ Personalised support from a dedicated consultant
✔ Opportunities in mainstream, SEND, and alternative settings
✔ Streamlined registration and local bookings
✔ Referral scheme, earn rewards for referring friends

Bonus points if you’re Thrive trained. If not, ask us about our FREE Thrive training—it’s a great addition to your CV and highly valued by schools.

Ready to make a real difference?

Apply today.

All applicants will require the appropriate qualifications and training for this role. Please see the FAQs on the Protocol Education website for further details.

All pay rates quoted will be inclusive of 12.07% statutory holiday pay. This advert is for a temporary position. In some cases, the option to make this role permanent may become available at a later date.

Protocol Education is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. We undertake safeguarding checks on all workers in accordance with the DfE statutory guidance ‘Keeping Children Safe in Education’, this may also include an online search as part of our due diligence on shortlisted applicants.

We offer FREE online safeguarding and Prevent Duty training to all our workers. All candidates must undertake or have undertaken a valid enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check and subscribe to the DBS Update Service.

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Only candidates based in UK and eligible to work in UK are allowed