Teaching Assistant

This is a fixed term contract due to end 31/03/2025.

Our pupils are amazing and they deserve amazing support staff! An opportunity has arisen for a Teaching Assistant to join the Personal Development team working to support pupils’ mental health and behavioural needs.

Arc Oakbridge School is an independent special school catering for pupils whose primary diagnosis is autism and who have often struggled in mainstream settings. We offer a low-arousal environment with small group sizes and put our pupils at the centre of everything that we do.

The Personal Development (PD) Team currently consists of an Assistant Head who is our Personal Development Lead, a Personal Development Mentor, a teacher for SES (Securing Educational Success) and a mentor for SES.

As a TA for PD you will put pupils at the centre of your work, supporting them to thrive in the school environment so that they develop the skills needed for life. You will work with pupils to improve opportunities for them to develop their talents and interests and help them to grow in confidence and independence. This will include working with pupils on an individual basis and in small groups, both on a regular and an ad-hoc basis. You will be a team player and work closely with the PD Team and wider staff team to ensure pupils achieve the best possible outcomes.

We will consider all qualified applicants for employment regardless of sex, race, religion, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, pregnancy, maternity, age, disability, marriage or civil partnership. Whilst experience is important in this role, it is essential that you share our ethos and values.

Why work for us?

• a competitive salary and generous annual leave entitlement
• a comprehensive induction programme so you can hit the ground running
• continued professional development and training
• contributions to your pension
• a friendly, passionate team committed to getting the best outcomes for our young people

Benefits include:

• £500 refer-a-friend bonus
• OFSTED bonuses
• life assurance/death in service 2 x salary
• cycle to work scheme and laptop loans
• discounts on cinema trips, electronics, fashion, home and garden, travel, groceries, gifts, utilities, health and fitness
• birthday treats
• long service and employee of the month awards
• employee assistance and counselling service, wellbeing support and advice

About us:

Arc Oakbridge School, part of Kedleston Group, is an independent specialist day school in central Birmingham for children and young people with autism aged between the ages of 7 and 16. Our school offers a calm, low arousal, safe, positive and nurturing place where young people with a primary need of autism (ASC), including Asperger’s Syndrome and associated complex needs can learn and grow. Cutting edge technology, including virtual reality, is used effectively as part of both the transition to the school and in teaching and support on an everyday basis.

We look for people to join our staff team who have the creativity and enthusiasm needed to deliver the best outcomes for the children and young people.

Kedleston Group Limited is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of its children and young people and we expect all staff to share this commitment. Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility. You will be expected to engage in annual safeguarding training, be familiar with key policies and ensure you know the steps to take should you be made aware of a safeguarding or child protection concern. You will remain vigilant and act swiftly if you have concerns about a child and be an appropriate role model for both children and colleagues at all times.

The successful candidate is required to provide references and will be expected to undertake an enhanced DBS check. We are an equal opportunities employer welcoming applications from all sections of the community. This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and the amendments to the Exceptions Order 1975, 2013 and 2020.

IMPORTANT NOTICE TO RECRUITMENT AGENCIES:

We prefer to hire people directly, but we do have a preferred supplier list for when we need a helping hand. We'll be in touch directly if we need you! Any unsolicited CV’s will be sent at the recruitment agency’s own risk and will be interpreted as ‘gifts’ and we have no liability to you for any fee or otherwise. We reserve the right to engage with candidates directly having not, in any way, entered into your terms and conditions for this vacancy. By submitting an unsolicited CV to us, or to any member of our staff, you accept these terms as the default position. If we require your assistance with any vacancy we will contact you.