Teaching Assistant

Join us today to receive a £1000 Welcome Bonus (£500 after one month and £500 after successful completion of probation - applicable only for teachers who are immediately available).

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).

If the trial is a success, we’ll be rolling the 4DWW out across the Group – so there’s never been a more exciting time to join #teamOFG!

Due to expansion, we are looking for full time Classroom Assistants to join our team at New Barn School. 

• Salary: Up to £22,000 per annum (Pre-tax take home salary, not pro rata)
• Contract: Permanent, Term Time Only 
• Hours: 40 hours per week; Monday to Friday 8:30am-4:30pm (includes a 5pm finish)

We would welcome applications from both teaching assistants already within special education as well as mainstream colleagues with a passion for complex SEND. 

About the role

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. Join our dedicated team, where your expertise will shape young minds and your passion for learning will be the catalyst for success. If you're ready to make a difference, apply now and be a vital part of our educational journey!

We are committed to the safeguarding and promoting the welfare of pupils and young people. 

• Experience of working in the independent SEMH sector and with pupils with SEN (highly desirable)
• Happy to adopt a therapeutic approach to teaching and working with SEN/SEMH pupils.
• Previous experience with ASC (highly desirable)

We place the outcomes of 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.

About us

New Barn School is a growing school and caters for SEMH pupils aged 6-19. With almost 100 pupils across three sites, we are searching for someone to help us make a difference. We have a shared vision where we aim to build incredible futures by empowering neurodiverse pupils to be happy and make their way in the world.

Our growing school delivers a structured programme of education, tailored to each student’s individual needs and considering their Education, Health and Care plans. Students are taught in small cohorts and individually, by fully qualified teachers and instructors.

We provide inclusive education within a safe, nurturing environment where pupil’s needs are met.

Acorn Education is the UK’s leading independent provider of specialist education 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

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 successful applicants will be subject to a fully enhanced DBS and social media checks.

*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.