Higher Level Teaching Assistant

Job Description

Higher Level Teaching Assistant (HLTA) – Primary Inclusion

About Us

Fortes Education has been a leading education provider in the UAE for over four decades with premium international schools and nurseries that have experienced outstanding success and growth. Our schools offer the most innovative and character-building education in the entire Middle East region.

Our core ethos and philosophy of education is Positive Education (PosEd). Through PosEd, our schools foster active engagement in learning, celebrating character strengths and accomplishments. We encourage children to cultivate fulfilling relationships with others and seek meaning and purpose in their own lives. We enable children to become happy learners and develop into innovative thinkers, confident young adults, and life-long learners. Our students develop resilience, a growth mindset and deep character strengths that allow them to flourish in an ever-changing world.

About Sunmarke School – Where Amazing Happens

Sunmarke School provides an ambitious and inspiring, values-based education that nurtures the hearts and minds of students so that they can flourish and achieve their dreams. Powered by our suite of signature programmes, Sunmarke is a uniquely innovative school, transforming young lives. This was reflected in Sunmarke School winning the coveted ‘Most Innovative School’ award at the international Which School Advisor ceremony in Dubai and London.

Sunmarke is an all–through school which offers a premium education across a fantastic range of pathways for students, including the National Curriculum of England, GCSE/IGCSE, ‘A’ Levels, BTEC and the IB Diploma Programmes. Our students regularly win examination boards’ ‘best in world’, ‘best in Middle East’ and ‘best in country’ awards every year, across a diverse range of subjects. The latest incredible IB results show that Sunmarke School is in the top 3 schools in Dubai and 69th in world rankings. Our suite of Signature Programmes is unrivalled in Dubai, with inspiring opportunities for students to experience transformative learning opportunities. These include Environmental and Sustainability Studies, where students learn in Forest School settings, as well as utilising cutting-edge hydroponic technology to examine how science can support sustainability in future terrains; a world-class STEAM centre and curriculum, which offers students an incredible opportunity to apply their learning in solving real-world problems, from Foundation Stage through to Year 9; Augmented and Virtual Reality AR/VR experiences alongside our cutting edge use of Artificial Intelligence for staff and students; outstanding performing arts opportunities with full black box and auditorium facilities alongside peripatetic music spaces and media suites; and a fantastic sports programme augmented with professional coaches, which led Sunmarke to be overall champions at the BSME Games.

Sunmarke School has been judged by the Dubai School Inspection Bureau (DSIB) as a ‘Very Good’ school since our third year of operation and is consistently judged ‘Outstanding’ by British Schools Overseas (BSO).

We present an exciting opportunity to join our all through school and to play an important part in our journey beyond “outstanding”. Sunmarke School, Dubai is one of our flagship schools, located at a prime location in Jumeirah Village Triangle.

About You

We are seeking an experienced, proactive and highly organised Higher Level Teaching Assistant (HLTA) to join our Primary Inclusion Team.

This is a key role within the department, working closely with the Phase SENDCo and Head of Inclusion, with responsibility for supporting the identification, assessment, and targeted intervention for pupils with SEND and additional learning needs.

The successful candidate will play an integral role in ensuring that pupils are supported effectively to access learning, build confidence, and make meaningful progress.

Key Responsibilities

Assessment & Identification

• Support the identification of pupils with additional learning needs
• Plan and deliver baseline and ongoing assessments to identify strengths and areas of need
• Analyse assessment data to inform targeted provision and next steps
  

Intervention Planning & Delivery

• Plan, deliver, and review targeted interventions (1:1 and small group)
• Adapt learning to meet individual needs, including:
• Literacy and numeracy support
• Language development
• Executive functioning and learning behaviours
• Break learning into manageable steps to support understanding and independence
  

Measuring Impact

• Track and evaluate the effectiveness of interventions over time
• Use data to inform adjustments to provision
• Maintain accurate and clear records of pupil progress
  

IEPs & Target Setting

• Write and review Individual Education Plans (IEPs)
• Set clear, measurable, and meaningful targets aligned with pupil needs
• Work collaboratively with teachers to ensure targets are embedded within classroom practice
  

In-Class Support & Collaboration

• Provide in-class support where required to facilitate access to learning
• Work closely with class teachers to adapt and scaffold learning
• Contribute to planning discussions to ensure inclusive provision
  

Parent Communication

• Meet with parents to:
• Share progress and next steps
• Discuss strategies to support learning at home
• Build positive and collaborative relationships
  

Student Support & Wellbeing

• Build strong, trusting relationships with pupils
• Support the development of:
• Confidence and self-esteem
• Independence and self-advocacy
• Positive engagement with learning
• Promote inclusion and a sense of belonging for all pupils
  

Wider Contribution

• Work collaboratively within the Inclusion Team
• Attend review meetings, staff meetings, and professional development sessions
• Contribute to the development of inclusive practices across the school
  

Qualifications, Skills And Experience

We are looking for someone who is:

• Experienced in supporting children with SEND and additional needs
• Confident in planning and delivering assessments and interventions
• Skilled in analysing progress and measuring impact
• A strong communicator, able to build relationships with pupils, staff, and families
• Organised, proactive, and reflective in their approach
• Committed to inclusive, child-centred practice
  

Key Skills & Experience

• Strong understanding of the primary curriculum (British Curriculum preferred)
• Experience in:
• Writing IEPs and setting targets
• Delivering targeted interventions
• Monitoring and evaluating progress
• Ability to scaffold learning and adapt teaching approaches
• Strong interpersonal and teamwork skills
• Understanding of child development and inclusive practice
  

Qualifications

• Bachelors Degree (or equivalent) in Inclusion is desirable but not essential
• Excellent written and spoken English, with the ability to produce high-quality documentation (including IEPs and reports) and communicate effectively with pupils, staff, and parents
• Experience working in a primary school setting
• Knowledge of SEND and inclusive strategies (essential)
  

Application Process

If you have the passion, energy, and commitment to drive accelerated outcomes for young people, we will welcome your application. In return, you will join a rapidly evolving organisation that can offer you a central role in our future growth plans.

Candidates are invited to complete our Online Application by visiting: https://forteseducation.com/Careers/Current-Openings

Interviews will take place either face-to-face in Dubai or by video conferencing if the applicant is not based in Dubai.

The closing date for applications is the 31th of May 2026. Please note that due to the expected volume of applications, only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for an interview. The school reserves the right to make suitable appointments before the official closing date, and therefore, we would encourage candidates to apply early in the process. The appointment start date will be August 2026.

Safer Recruitment Statement

Fortes Education is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. Policies for safer recruitment are aligned with the recommendations of the International Task Force on Child Protection. At Sunmarke School, we hold ourselves to a high standard of effective practices in relation to child protection, and we are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children.

We expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Successful applicants will be subject to various background checks, including receipt of satisfactory references, proof of relevant qualifications, identification, and police checks, including overseas checks.