. No sponsorship available.
Are you ready to inspire, support and empower young people to achieve their very best? As part of our exciting growth, Oakham Shires School is looking for passionate, dedicated Teaching Assistants to join our warm and welcoming team.
Whether you’re already experienced in education or looking for a new, meaningful career path — this is your chance to change lives and grow with us.
About the Role
As a Teaching Assistant, you’ll be at the heart of our students’ learning journey. Working closely with teachers and our expert support team, you’ll help children and young people with autism and complex needs to unlock their potential — academically, socially, and emotionally.
No two days are the same! One day you might be supporting classroom learning; the next, helping students gain confidence on a community visit or creative project. You’ll play an active part in creating a positive, inclusive environment where every learner can shine.
You Will:
1. Support teaching staff in preparing lessons and delivering engaging, hands-on learning experiences.
2. Work 1:1 and in small groups, guiding pupils through personalised learning plans.
3. Encourage emotional regulation and positive behaviour through patience, understanding, and consistency.
4. Supervise and inspire pupils during classroom and outdoor activities, promoting independence and confidence.
5. Build trusted relationships that make pupils feel safe, valued, and motivated.
6. Create a calm, inclusive, and supportive learning environment where every child can thrive.
What We're Looking For
We’re looking for caring, enthusiastic individuals who are passionate about helping children with additional needs succeed.
You’ll be:
7. Supportive and compassionate, with a flexible and proactive mindset
8. Comfortable working with children with autism and/or complex behaviour
9. A strong communicator and team player
Essential:
10. Maths and English GCSE (or equivalent) at Grade C/4 or above
11. UK Driving Licence (students often access community-based activities)
Desirable (but not essential):
12. Experience working with autistic pupils or those with challenging behaviours
13. Experience working in a school or educational setting
If you’re new to this type of role but have the right attitude, values, and a passion for helping others — we’d love to hear from you!
About the school
Oakham Shires School is an Independent SEN School, part of the Options Autism group. Students are supported to achieve their Outcomes within their Education Health Care Plan, develop life skills, and achieve accreditations in Maths, English and Science.
Our team is close-knit, values-driven, and committed to creating a safe, nurturing learning environment.
For over 19 years Options Autism have provided care and education to students, young people 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 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.
Benefits
Your health and wellbeing are important to us, so you’ll get an exceptional reward package including:
14. Life Assurance
15. Pension scheme with options to increase your contributions
16. “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:
17. A wide range of health, wellbeing, and insurance benefits
18. 100’s of discount options valid in the UK and abroad
19. Cycle to Work Schemes
20. Electric Car Purchase Scheme
21. Critical illness cover
22. 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
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