Teaching Assistant

How would you like to be paid for five days but only work four*?

Our colleagues’ wellbeing is at the heart of everything we do at OFG, so we’re always looking for new ways to improve everyone’s work/life balance. We’re taking part in a trial of the 4-Day Working Week, meaning that you could be working one day less a week (or equivalent).

4DWW will be rolled out within our school, when we have a full complement of staff, and within the next year – so there’s never been a more exciting time to join us #teamOFG!

Due to growth in service, we are looking for Teaching Assistant's at Belmont Primary School, part of Acorn Education

• £20,906.25 per annum per annum (not pro-rata)
• 37.5 hours per week, Monday to Friday
• Permanent, Term time only

UK Applicants only. This role does not offer sponsorship.

The opportunity

Enjoy a rewarding education career and have a real impact on pupil’s lives. Join an amazing team making our schools and classrooms supportive, enriching places where vulnerable pupils and young people achieve far more than they ever expected.

As a Teaching Assistant, you will connect directly with the brilliant pupils and young people we care for, helping to make sure they get the very best from their education. Each individual has so much potential, and they will rely on you to guide their learning journeys.

You will help prepare learning materials and run classroom activities, with plenty of hands-on experience and some supervision too. You will take responsibility for their emotional and physical needs, supporting them to develop as individuals and engage with the world.

Supporting pupils with complex Social Emotional Mental Health (SEMH) needs is important and rewarding work, and you will benefit from the tremendous support offered by our hugely experienced teams. As you help our pupils and young people achieve real and significant progress, you will enjoy having a direct, positive impact on their developing lives.

Person Specification

• An ability to diffuse conflict 
• Empathy with young people facing barriers to their learning
• The ability to deal with sensitive information in a confidential manner
• The capability to remain calm under pressure 
• The ability to use own initiative and flexibility to cope with the unexpected
• Ability to form and maintain appropriate relationships and personal boundaries with pupils and young people
• Ideally Grade C/4 or above in English and Maths
• Excellent interpersonal skills both in working relationship with young pupils and in forming effective professional relationships with a wide range of contacts. 
• Excellent organisational and time management skills.
• The ability and willingness to work constructively as part of a team.  

About us

Belmont Primary School is an Independent School which offers boys aged between 5 – 11 years who have Social and Emotional Mental Health (SEMH) challenged and additional complex behaviours to access a tailored education that suits their needs.

We have a dedicated staff team who provide outstanding education and we understand that a lot of our students have been excluded from mainstream education and often have a very negative attitude toward school. As a team, we take an interest in their lives and help to nurture their learning.

Belmont Primary School is rated Ofsted GOOD and is situated in the picturesque Pennine Lancashire, Rossendale and is within commutable distance of Rawtenstall, Bury, Burnley and surrounding areas.

Acorn Education is the UK’s leading independent provider of specialist education and residential care for vulnerable pupils and young people. As part of Outcomes First Group, we are leading our sector in setting and delivering new approaches that provide measurable outcomes for those in our care.

We are really proud to say that in 2024, Outcomes First Group were officially certified as a ‘Great Place to Work’ for the fifth year running.

Why join Acorn Education? 

Benefits

Your health and wellbeing are important to us, so you’ll get an exceptional reward package including:

• Life Assurance
• Pension scheme with options to increase your contributions
• “Your Wellbeing Matters” – access to a wide range of first-class mental health support services and physical health checks

And a market-leading benefit offering through our Flexible Benefits Platform, Vista, enables you to choose the package that’s right for you, including:

• A wide range of health, wellbeing, and insurance benefits
• 100’s of discount options valid in the UK and abroad
• Cycle to Work Schemes
• Electric Car Purchase Scheme
• Critical illness cover
• Family Growth Support - inclusive benefits package covering enhanced maternity and paternity leave, along with paid fertility treatment support. 

And that’s not all, we place the outcomes of the pupils and vulnerable young adults in our services at the heart of everything we do, so you’ll wake every day in the knowledge that your role will have a significant positive impact on the lives of others.

We are committed to the safeguarding and promoting the welfare of pupils and young people. All applicants will be subject to social media checks and successful applicants to a fully enhanced DBS.

*You’ll work 80% of your contractual hours for 100% of your pay, giving you more time to do the things that make you happy.

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