Sunningdale Early Years Centre (Ryhope) - Higher Level Teaching Assistant
Job Summary
Working Pattern:
Please see advert text
Advert Start Date:
01/10/2026
Advert End Date:
15/10/2026 09:00
Salary:
£29,542 - £32,046 (Pro Rata)
Job Category:
Schools - Teaching Assistant
Employment Location:
Sunningdale School Ryhope Site
Further Information
School: Sunningdale SchoolTel: (0191) 5280440
Email: office@sunningdaleschool.com
Web: www.sunningdaleschool.com
Headteacher: Mr J. Waller
Number on Roll: 153
Sunningdale Early Years Centre (Ryhope)
Higher Level Teaching Assistant (permanent)
HLTA (Grade 4) £24,498.12 - £27, 173.04 Actual Term Time Only Salary
35h40min
START DATE : As soon as possible
Be more…
Due to significant growth the school are looking to appoint outstanding members of support staff to join our staff team and contribute to the school’s outstanding provision and future development at our Early Years site in Ryhope.
Sunningdale School’s curriculum approach is designed to specifically prepare children for both adulthood and life beyond the school. The school’s curriculum approach is relatively unique and was developed over a number of years. It continuously evolves to meet the needs of the pupils attending the school. Although the school developed its approaches independently of and prior to the publication of the majority Equals’ schemes, the school is recognised by Equals as an exemplar school for its expertise in delivering the strategies described across the full scope of its multi-tiered curriculum areas: pre-formal, semi-formal and informal curricula. The school is the only maintained specialist setting nationally recognised by the NCB as an EY Stronger Practice Hub in which we partner with the Northern Lights Learning Trust. The school also contributes directly into the Department for Education’s Early Years SEND Expert Advisory Board, was visited in 2025 by the DfE’s Early Years team and was the only special school in the country visited by the Early Years Minister in 2024.
To ensure that we are able to meet each child’s holistic needs as specifically as possible Sunningdale School’s curriculum is delivered through a unique combination of Engagement Motivator profiles and Personalised Learning Plans. arranged into four pathways. These ensure that environments and pedagogical (teaching and learning) approaches are personalised to a higher degree to meet the specific needs of individual pupils.
You can find out more about the school via our YouTube channel, here: https://www.youtube.com/@sunningdaleschool4411
We are looking for a highly skilled practitioner with experience of supporting teaching of pupils with Complex Learning Difficulties (CLD), Severe Learning Difficulties (SLD) or Profound and Multiple Learning Difficulties (PMLD). Applicants must have a good understanding of child development and specifically the development of those with complex cognitive, physical and health needs. The role will involve working as part of a multi-professional team on a daily basis.
In order to apply for the post please submit your completed application form via email (to office@sunningdaleschool.com) ensuring that you outline how you feel you meet the person specification for the role.
Closing date: Thursday 15th October 2026 at 9.00am.
Interviews: Thursday 22nd October 2026.
This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and therefore will be subject to a criminal record check from the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS).
School safeguards and protects its students and staff by being committed to respond in accordance with Sunderland Local Safeguarding Board Procedures.
If you are interested in joining a forward thinking school and require further information please contact the Headteacher to arrange an informal discussion.