Job title and organisation: Higher Level Teaching Assistant - Beechwood Primary School Leeds
Salary: SO1 Spine Point 23 £29,757 Gross Annual before deductions
Hours: Full Time
Contract: Temporary HLTA for one year in the first instance. Term Time Only plus 5 days
Location: Beechwood Primary School Leeds
Closing Date and Time: Friday 16 January 2026 at 12 Noon
Start Date: 23rd February 2026 subject to a clear Enhanced DBS Disclosure. In terms of our Safer Recruitment practices, we will also carry out online checks and all candidates will be required to complete a self disclosure form prior to interview.
‘Beechwood is a warm and welcoming school. Staff and pupils listen to and respect one another. Pupils know who to talk to if they are worried or upset. They are confident that adults will help them if they have a problem. The school teaches pupils to help themselves by developing their resilience, creativity and other ‘superpowers.’
‘The school has high expectations for all pupils, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). Pupils enjoy the engaging and exciting learning opportunities provided by the school.’ Ofsted Feb25
Beechwood is a very successful school on the outskirts of Leeds, with a dynamic and highly effective staff team and an ethos of unrelenting school improvement.
We actively promote diversity and want a workforce which reflects the population of Leeds.
We are seeking a skilled and committed Higher Level Teaching Assistant (HLTA) who will also undertake the role of Play Coordinator, providing leadership in the development, organisation and delivery of high-quality play and outdoor learning across the school.
Working under the direction of the Senior Leadership Team, the successful candidate will be part of a strategic working group responsible for the design and implementation of a new lunchtime and play scheme. This role offers the opportunity to be involved from the outset, including auditing existing school grounds and provision, contributing to planning and decision-making, supporting the development of policy and practice, supporting staff training and implementing a consistent, inclusive approach to play.
During lunchtimes, the HLTA will lead and coordinate a full range of play activities, modelling high-quality practice and supporting and guiding staff to ensure that all pupils are able to actively engage in and enjoy unstructured times. The role includes taking responsibility for the effective deployment of staff during lunchtime play and contributing to the evaluation and ongoing improvement of provision.
At other times in the school day, the HLTA will plan, prepare and deliver outdoor learning lessons for whole classes, groups and individuals, in line with agreed lesson plans and learning objectives. The post holder will work collaboratively with teachers and SLT to support curriculum delivery, adapt learning to meet pupils’ needs (including those with SEND), and use appropriate strategies to promote independence, engagement and achievement.
In line with HLTA standards, the role will involve monitoring, assessing, recording and reporting on pupils’ learning, progress and development, providing feedback to teachers and contributing to pupil reviews. The HLTA will also contribute to creating a safe, stimulating and inclusive learning environment, managing behaviour effectively and promoting positive relationships.
This role is suited to an individual who demonstrates initiative, leadership and reflective practice, and who is passionate about outdoor play and outdoor learning as a means of supporting pupils’ personal, social and academic development. The post holder will enhance and support the school’s curriculum offer while fostering creativity, responsibility and respect for the natural and local environment.
We are looking for a professional who is committed to inclusive practice, high expectations and continuous improvement, and who is willing to take an active role in staff development and whole-school initiatives. We offer training in proven approaches to curriculum delivery, a collaborative team-based approach to planning, and a range of continuing professional development opportunities, including collaboration with the four other primary schools within our Trust.
A comprehensive induction programme will be provided for the successful applicant.
Hours of work: 37 hours per week, term time only plus five training days. Temporary contract, one year in the first instance.
The staff at Beechwood Primary School are committed to ensuring that all pupils are in a safe environment at school.
Staff understand that they have a legal and moral responsibility to safeguard all pupils from harm, discrimination and degrading treatment and to ensure each child’s well-being.
This responsibility is supported by the adoption of ‘safer recruitment’ practices and procedures, annual Child Protection training for all staff, adherence to the procedures outlined in the school’s Child Protection Policy, the delivery of an extensive PSHCE curriculum and adherence to the school’s behaviour and equal opportunities policies.
As part of the interview process you will be asked to provide proof of identification in the form of a passport, birth/marriage certificate or driving licence. All candidates are asked to provide two referees, which the school will contact directly. All job offers are subject to a clear Enhanced DBS Disclosure. In terms of our Safer Recruitment practises, we will also carry out online checks and all candidates will be required to complete a self disclosure form prior to interview.
Candidates are welcomed and strongly encouraged to visit the school by appointment. Please contact our school office 01132930250
or email office@beechwoodprimaryschool.co.uk
Please see link to our website for documentation Recruitment & Vacancies | Beechwood Primary School
Please return completed application forms to office@beechwoodprimaryschool.co.uk
- Closing date: 12pm 16th January
- Short listing: 16th January
- Observations: 23rd January
- Interviews: 23rd January
Start Date: 23rd February 2026. Subject to a clear Enhanced DBS Disclosure. In terms of our Safer Recruitment practices, we will also carry out online checks and all candidates will be required to complete a self disclosure form prior to interview.
A Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check against the Children’s barred list will be carried out on preferred candidates. Read our recruitment of ex-offenders policy.
We welcome applications from everyone and actively seek a diverse range of applicants from all backgrounds and cultures. We particularly encourage applications from, but not limited to, women, carers, veterans as well as LGBT+, ethnically diverse, disabled and care experienced people.
This role is based in the UK. Home Office guidance states that candidates must evidence their right to work in the UK prior to commencing employment, either as a UK or Irish citizen, under the EU Settlement scheme or having secured any other relevant work visa.
If you do not have the right to work in the UK, you must consider your own eligibility for sponsorship for a particular role through the Skilled Worker visa route before applying. To be eligible for sponsorship you'll usually need to be paid the standard salary rate of at least £41,700 per year or meet one of the other eligibility criteria. Please ensure you are eligible before applying.
The above post is not a Leeds City Council vacancy and has been advertised on behalf of the relevant organisation. To apply please follow their application instructions.
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