We are seeking an enthusiastic, committed and experienced Higher Level Teaching Assistant (HLTA) to join our welcoming primary school, situated in the heart of Stoke-on-Trent.

This is an exciting opportunity for a talented and dedicated individual who is passionate about supporting children to achieve their full potential. You will play an important role in supporting teaching and learning across the school, working closely with teachers and other members of our dedicated team.

As an HLTA, you will have the opportunity to lead learning activities, deliver lessons and provide targeted support to pupils, helping to create a positive, inclusive and engaging learning environment.

We are looking for someone who:

• Has experience working as a Teaching Assistant or HLTA within a primary school setting.
• Holds a relevant Level 4 qualification or equivalent experience.
• Has high expectations of themselves and the children they work with.
• Is confident supporting and leading learning across a range of year groups.
• Has excellent communication and teamwork skills.
• Is patient, caring and committed to helping every child succeed.
• Can build positive relationships with pupils, staff and families.
• Is enthusiastic, reliable and willing to contribute to the wider life of our school.

Waterside Primary School is proud to be situated in the heart of Stoke on-Trent where cultural richness and diversity is celebrated within our school and our local community. There is sharp focus at Waterside on becoming respectful and tolerant citizens which enable positive interactions within and beyond our school. Although there is a high level of deprivation, and social challenges we are committed to ‘Empowering Learners’ and enriching lives.

Due to the challenges within our context, we place high priority on developing the whole child. We are highly ambitious and inclusive and strive to intrinsically embed the British Values and our Personal Development curriculum including our school values (Respect, Determination, Excellence, Friendship, Courage, Inspiration, Equality) to ensure that pupils acquire skills and knowledge for future learning and life in modern Britain. All staff at Waterside are highly aspirational and consistently deliver rich learning experiences within our ambitious broad and balance 4D curriculum, that secure academic achievement and progress, whilst going beyond the curriculum to reinforce the skills required for life-long learning.

At Waterside, we understand the importance of equity in ensuring all pupils are able to achieve from their individual starting points, and through the challenging and diversified opportunities that we provide, children become confident learners who are prepared for life beyond the classroom.

Our ambition and passion for success for all, drives the work that we do and the decisions that we make.

All candidates are required to provide a supporting statement on the formal application forms which states clearly your reasons for applying, skills and experience for this position.

At Shaw Education Trust, we believe every role has the power to transform a life. Whether you’re supporting behind the scenes, inspiring in the classroom, or leading with vision, you will be part of something truly meaningful.

Our values—opportunity, integrity, community, and equity—guide everything we do. Our vision is “Opening doors to the world through the power of learning.” We bring this to life through our mission: working together to inspire communities where every school is valued, every voice matters, and every learner thrives.

We are a dynamic and growing family of primary, secondary, and special schools, proudly serving communities from Birmingham to Bury.

Our people are our greatest asset, and we are deeply committed to their development through high-quality training, apprenticeships, talent development programmes, and research opportunities, we empower our staff to thrive as skilled, confident professionals. We champion wellbeing, value every

voice, and foster a culture where you feel supported, motivated, and inspired to make a real difference.

You will join a collaborative network of schools where shared expertise and a strong professional community drive success. Every academy within our Trust has an equal voice, and every colleague plays a vital role in shaping tailored learning experiences that raise aspirations and build brighter futures.

If you have the passion, dedication, and drive to help shape lives and create futures filled with promise, we would love you to join our team.

Together, let’s make the remarkable happen.
We believe every child has the potential to be extraordinary.

Every child deserves an exceptional primary education.

At Shaw Education Trust, we believe the primary years are where confidence grows, curiosity begins and a lifelong love of learning is nurtured. Across our family of primary schools, we are committed to creating welcoming, inclusive environments where every child is known, valued and encouraged to achieve their very best.

Our curriculum is designed to inspire children to become confident readers, effective communicators, curious learners and resilient young people. From the earliest stages of education through to the transition into secondary school, we provide engaging learning experiences that help every child develop the knowledge, skills and confidence they need to thrive. Through our Trust-wide Digital Strategy, we also embrace technology to enrich teaching and learning, preparing pupils for an increasingly digital future.

Shaw Education Trust offer the following employee benefits with your Teaching or Support Staff employment:

• An excellent Local Government Pension Scheme (Support Staff) / Teachers Pension (Teaching Staff)
• Support Staff only based on working full time, all year - Generous holiday entitlement from your first day of employment (37 days holiday rising to 39 days after 5 years’ service including Bank Holidays)
• Access to Medicash Health & Wellbeing Plan: Enjoy health services designed to support your well-being.
• Free DiscountForTeachers Scheme for all staff (Support and Teaching), Exclusive discounts to save money with a wide selection of discounts and exclusive offers from hundreds of the biggest brands.
• Free Eye Tests
• Cycle to work scheme
• Access to our Institute of Education and fantastic opportunities to help you grow, contribute and flourish in your role and in the Trust.

We know our people are the key to our success and so we’re committed to ensuring the employment experience at Shaw Education Trust is a rewarding one.

Colleagues within the Trust benefit from: Access to a full range of courses both in-house and professionally accredited. These courses include a variety of the National Professional Qualifications and the Early Carer Teacher Programme delivered by Shaw Education Trust as a delivery partner for Ambition Institute. 

• Experienced leadership and subject-specific support.
• Guidance from former HMIs and serving Ofsted Inspectors within the Trust.
• Access to the Trust’s Institute of Education and SCITT.
• Opportunities to work with different schools within the Trust as a Professional Advocate.
• Participating in peer reviews.
• Access to a suite of online courses.
• Placement projects within our family of schools.

Actual Salary: £27,034 – £30,343 
Working hours: 37 hours per week – Monday to Friday – 38 weeks plus 5 Inset Days - (39 weeks)