Every pupil deserves another opportunity to succeed.

Protocol Education is recruiting a Higher Level Teaching Assistant for a Pupil Referral Unit in Ferryhill, starting in September 2026.

This is a fantastic opportunity for an experienced HLTA or Teaching Assistant who thrives in environments where no two days are the same.

You’ll work with pupils who may have faced barriers to learning, attendance, behaviour or engagement, helping them develop the skills and confidence they need to move forward.

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 position with permanent opportunities

What you'll do

• Lead lessons and classroom activities
• Provide cover across different subjects and year groups
• Deliver one-to-one and small-group interventions
• Support pupils with SEND and SEMH needs
• Promote positive behaviour and engagement
• Maintain clear routines and boundaries
• Help pupils develop independence and confidence
• Support teachers with planning and preparation
• Work as part of a dedicated pastoral and teaching team

What we're looking for

• HLTA qualification or substantial classroom experience
• Experience supporting pupils with additional needs
• Strong behaviour management skills
• A calm and consistent approach
• Resilience and patience
• Excellent communication skills
• A genuine commitment to helping young people progress

Experience in a PRU, SEMH provision or specialist setting would be advantageous, but we're also interested in candidates with strong transferable experience.

Why 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.

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