Not every learner needs the same path. Help them find theirs.

Protocol Education is looking for a confident and compassionate Higher Level Teaching Assistant to join a Pupil Referral Unit in Ferryhill from September 2026.

Working within a PRU can be incredibly rewarding. You’ll support young people who may have experienced difficulties with mainstream education, helping them feel safe, valued and ready to learn.

As an HLTA, you'll have the opportunity to take on responsibility for leading learning while also providing the pastoral and behavioural support pupils need to succeed.

Role Details

• Full-time
• September 2026 start
• Monday-Friday
• Working hours between 8:30am-3:30pm and 8:30am-4:30pm
• Term-time only
• Long-term opportunity with permanent prospects

Key responsibilities

• Taking responsibility for lessons and learning activities
• Covering classes during teacher absence
• Supporting pupils with SEND and SEMH needs
• Delivering targeted interventions
• Helping pupils develop confidence and independence
• Supporting behaviour and emotional regulation
• Establishing clear boundaries and consistent expectations
• Preparing resources and adapting learning
• Building positive relationships with pupils and staff

The ideal candidate

• Holds an HLTA qualification or has strong classroom experience
• Has experience supporting children or young people with additional needs
• Is confident managing behaviour
• Can remain calm in challenging situations
• Is patient, consistent and resilient
• Has excellent communication skills
• Wants to make a genuine difference to young people's lives

Why work with Protocol Education?

• Competitive daily pay
• Weekly PAYE pay
• FREE CPD and safeguarding training
• Dedicated education consultant
• Long-term and permanent opportunities
• £50 Refer a Friend scheme

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.

Full assistance provided. For details of our privacy policy, please see visit the Protocol Education website.

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