Higher Level Teaching Assistant-Maternity Cover (Polegate School)

Hours of work: 30 hours per week

Working pattern: Part-time, Term-time only (working for 39 weeks per year plus 6.05 weeks annual leave, which will increase after 5 years' continuous service)

(As the position is part-time/term-time only, the above salary will be pro rata)

Fixed term for: 1 year

Closing date: 12 February 2026

For more information and to apply for the above post, please contact:

Polegate School (Polegate School, Oakleaf Dr, Polegate BN26 6PT)

Phone: 01323482404

Email: office@polegate.e-sussex.sch.uk

Website: www.polegateschool.co.uk

Please note, we do not accept CVs.

Maternity Cover Higher Level Teaching Assistant Position

We are seeking a commited and enthusiastic Higher Level Teaching Assistant to join our dedicated team. The succssful candidate will contribute to a wide range of teaching and learning activities, supporting pupils across the school and assisting qualified teachers in delivering high-quality education.

The key tasks

• Support pupils’ learning confidently and effectively across a range of classes and settings, delivering PPA.
• Demonstrate a good understanding of the school curriculum, age-related expectations, teaching methods and assessment frameworks
• Support lesson delivery by teaching strategies and intended outcomes
• Use ICT effectively to enhance pupils’ learning and support classroom practice
• Promote positive behaviour and create a purposeful learning environment in line with school policies
• Model and promote positive values, attitudes and behaviour
• Maintain high expectations for all pupils, valuing diversity and promoting inclusion
• Build strong, respectful relationships with pupils and support their development as learners
• Work collaboratively with teachers and colleagues, seeking advice and support when required
• Contribute to lesson planning, preparation and evaluation
• Plan and manage your role within lessons, including providing feedback on pupils’ learning and behaviour
• Support the selection and preparation of resources to meet a wide range of pupil needs
• Assist with assessment, monitoring and recording of pupils’ progress
• Adapt approaches in response to pupils’ engagement and learning needs
• Support learning across whole-class, small-group and one-to-one contexts, including when the teacher is not present
• Guide and support other adults in the classroom where appropriate
• Promote equality, challenge discrimination, and respond appropriately to bullying or harassment
• Organise and manage learning activities, resources and physical spaces safely
• Engage in reflective practice and professional development

Basic Info

• Salary: Single Status Grade 8 (currently £30,084 pro rata)
• Contract Type: Fixe-term, 1 year maternity cover
• Working Pattern: Term time only, Monday to Friday, 30 hours/week
• Start Date: Monday, 13th April 2026
• Interviews: Monday, 25th February 2026

Applicants may be invited to interview once their application has been received, and we reserve the right to offer the position to a candidate prior to the closing date.

You will have:

• Maths and English GCSE Grade A-C or equivalent
• Achievement of the Professional Standards for Higher Level Teaching Assistants, or equivalent experience approved by the Headteacher
• Good communication skills and the ability to build relationships with students, staff and parents
• Experience of working within a school environment or with young people
• The ability to work as part of a team and on your own initiative.

Further Information

Polegate School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. We will ensure that all our recruitment and selection practices reflect this commitment. All successful candidates will be subject to an appropriate Disclosure and Barring Service check along with other relevant employment checks, including satisfactory references.

How to Apply

To request your application and job description pack please contact Monika Bailey at office@polegate.e-sussex.sch.uk.

This post is covered by the Childcare Disqualification Regulations 2018.

The school will need to ensure that they are not knowingly employing a person who is disqualified under the 2018 Regulations in connection with relevant childcare provision. Accordingly, the successful candidate will be required to demonstrate to the school, by completing a self-declaration form as part of the pre-employment checks process, that they have not been disqualified under the 2018 Regulations.

If the preferred candidate is found to be disqualified under the 2018 Regulations, the offer of employment will be subject to the application by the preferred candidate to Ofsted for a waiver and the receipt of a waiver from Ofsted.