. This role does not offer sponsorship.
As part of our continued growth, we are excited to offer a fantastic opportunity for a Higher-Level Teaching Assistant – Secondaryto join our dedicated team at Ryecroft School, part of Options Autism.
About the Role
This pivotal role is designed to support teachers and mentor other teaching assistants, ensuring the highest standards of care, learning, and development for our pupils. You will play a key role in guiding new staff through comprehensive induction and training, creating ongoing professional development plans, and leading by example in behaviour management and positive interventions.
You will contribute to lesson planning and preparation, create engaging learning resources, and provide both in-class and out-of-class support tailored to the needs of our autistic pupils. Under the teacher’s direction, you may also deliver lessons and cover teacher absences when required.
A core focus of this role is to uphold the school’s commitment to the learning, well-being, and safeguarding of all young people, ensuring accurate recording and reporting of pupil progress and outcomes across the school.
Key Responsibilities
1. Mentor, train, and guide teaching assistants to develop their skills and confidence
2. Lead by example in behaviour management using proactive, solution-focused approaches
3. Support lesson preparation, resource creation, and learning activities aligned with lesson plans
4. Deliver lessons under teacher direction and cover teacher absences when necessary
5. Contribute to the recording, reporting, and monitoring of pupil progress
6. Support the personal development, safeguarding, and well-being of pupils
Candidate Requirements
7. Previous experience working in an SEN/ASC environment (highly desirable)
8. Level 2 functional skills in Maths and English or equivalent
9. Further education or qualifications in a relevant field (desirable)
10. Excellent communication, organisational, and teamwork skills
11. Ability to work flexibly and adapt to the needs of pupils and the school
This is an exciting opportunity to make a meaningful difference in the lives of autistic pupils and to contribute to a supportive and collaborative school environment.
About Us
Ryecroft School is an independent day school in Walsall, providing specialist education for autistic children and young people aged 4–18 years.
We focus on meeting the unique learning needs of autistic pupils, including those with additional challenges such as learning disabilities and behaviours that may present as a result of their diagnoses. Our new school, which opened in September 2024, has a capacity for 60 pupils and is designed to support learners with autism and complex needs in a safe, nurturing, and structured environment.
Ryecroft School is located in Walsall, a vibrant market town in the West Midlands. The school is well connected, situated just 9 miles north-west of Birmingham, 7 miles east of Wolverhampton, and 9 miles from Lichfield, offering easy access for families across the region.
For over 16 years Options Autism have provided care and education to pupils and adults with autism, complex needs and learning difficulties. 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 Options Autism?
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 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.
Benefits
Your health and wellbeing are important to us, so you’ll get an exceptional reward package including:
12. Life Assurance
13. Pension scheme with options to increase your contributions
14. “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:
15. A wide range of health, wellbeing, and insurance benefits
16. 100’s of discount options valid in the UK and abroad
17. Cycle to Work Schemes
18. Electric Car Purchase Scheme
19. Critical illness cover
20. Family Growth Support - inclusive benefits package covering enhanced maternity and paternity leave, along with paid fertility treatment support.
We reserve the right to close the vacancy early if we receive a high volume of suitable applications.
*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. 4DWW is subject to successful completion of probation and is not a contractual benefit
Outcomes First Group is committed to carrying out a fair, thorough and efficient recruitment process in line with Keeping Children Safe in Education. Whilst we aim to keep applicants informed throughout, Outcomes First Group does not accept liability for any loss of earnings or other associated costs incurred by applicants as a result of delays or changes in the compliance process. All stages of the compliance process are subject to necessary safeguarding checks and compliance with statutory requirements, which may affect timescales.
#1