Overview
How would you like to get paid for five days, but only work four?
At Outcomes First Group, we believe in better work/life balance — and we’re putting wellbeing first. That’s why we’re proud to be part of a 4-Day Working Week (4DWW) trial, where you can work one day less each week (or equivalent hours), while still receiving your full-time pay. Many of our schools have already introduced the 4DWW — and others are preparing to roll it out as soon as they reach full staffing. So, whether it’s already in place or just around the corner, now’s the perfect time to join #teamOFG.
Job title: Teaching Assistant
Location: Smallbrook School, Shrewsbury, SY4 3HE
Salary: £21,000 - £23,000 per annum (not pro rata)
Hours: 37.5 hours per week, Monday to Friday, 08:45am - 16:30
Contract: Permanent, Term Time only
UK applicants only. This role does not offer sponsorship.
Role Summary
As part of our continued development, we are delighted to offer a fantastic opportunity for a dedicated and compassionate Teaching Assistant to join our close-knit and supportive team at Smallbrook School, located in Shrewsbury. This is a rewarding role for someone who is passionate about making a difference in the lives of young people with a range of complex needs.
About the Role
You will work primarily on a 1:1 basis with individual pupils who require high levels of support due to a combination of social, emotional, communication, and learning challenges. These may include:
* Speech and sound disorders
* Expressive and receptive language difficulties
* Attention and concentration difficulties
* Work avoidance behaviours and episodes of challenging behaviour
While the role is predominantly based in the classroom, it also involves supporting families and engaging with external professionals involved in the pupil's care, including:
* Social Workers
* Speech and Language Therapists
* Educational Psychologists
* Early Intervention and Social Communication Disorder Assessment Teams
At times, your work may take place outside of the traditional classroom environment, depending on the needs of the student.
Key Responsibilities
* Provide 1:1 learning and emotional support to a designated pupil
* Foster a safe, positive, and nurturing learning environment
* Work collaboratively with teaching staff, therapists, families, and external agencies
* Contribute to the pupil’s individual learning plan and help monitor progress
* Encourage engagement in learning through tailored, child-centred approaches
* Uphold the safeguarding and welfare of all pupils at all times
* Support the day-to-day organisation of the school, including administrative duties where required
* Take on specific responsibilities as part of the school’s development and improvement plans
What We're Looking For
* Minimum GCSEs (or equivalent) in English and Maths
* Experience working with young people with SEN, SEMH, autism, or communication disorders (desirable)
* A calm, patient, and empathetic approach
* Strong communication and teamwork skills
* Willingness to engage in training and personal development
* A genuine passion for supporting young people to reach their full potential
About Us
Smallbrook School is currently increasing capacity from 50 students to 80 and having a large investment in our school site developing KS2 and sixth form provision. We are a co-educational day school catering for pupils aged 7-18 with a range of complex needs including a range of social, emotional and mental health needs and also pupils who have been diagnosed with autism or demonstrate behaviours associated with autism.
You will contribute to making Smallbrook School an outstanding provision for our young people and their families. We provide a therapeutic, supportive and inclusive learning environment and are committed to raising achievement and enabling pupils to recognise their potential and supporting them through a personalised, engaging curriculum. Our priority is to develop the foundation knowledge and skills required to make a manageable and smooth transition to the next life stage.
Our School is based halfway between Shrewsbury and Wem in Shropshire. We are part of Acorn Education and can promise you plenty of challenges, and a rich variety of opportunities to develop your career.
We provide Education and Care across a number of schools and residential homes nationally. Our specialist SEN provision, coupled with our expertise within residential care means we offer thousands of vulnerable pupils across the UK a holistic, wraparound care, residential and education service, empowering them with everything they need to flourish.
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?
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.
Benefits
* 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
* Market-leading benefit offering through our Flexible Benefits Platform, Vista, including:
* A wide range of health, wellbeing, and insurance benefits
* Hundreds 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
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