Overview
Job title: Teaching Assistant
Location: Smallbrook School, Shrewsbury, SY4 3HE
Salary: Up to £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
Start: October 2025
UK applicants only. This role does not offer sponsorship.
As part of our continued development, we offer a fantastic opportunity for a dedicated and compassionate Teaching Assistant to join our close-knit and supportive team at Smallbrook School, 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.
We are trialing a 4-Day Working Week (4DWW) where you can work one day less each week while still receiving full-time pay. Some sites have already implemented 4DWW; others plan to roll it out as staffing reaches full levels. Whether it’s in place or coming soon, this is a great time to join #teamOFG.
About The Role: you will work primarily on a 1:1 basis with pupils who require high levels of support due to social, emotional, communication, and learning challenges, including:
* Speech and sound disorders
* Expressive and receptive language difficulties
* Attention and concentration difficulties
* Work avoidance behaviours and episodes of challenging behaviour
You may also support families and engage with external professionals involved in the pupil's care, including Social Workers, Speech and Language Therapists, Educational Psychologists, and Early Intervention and Social Communication Disorder Assessment Teams. At times, work may take place outside the traditional classroom depending on student needs.
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 monitor progress
* Encourage engagement in learning through tailored, child-centred approaches
* Uphold safeguarding and welfare of all pupils at all times
* Support 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 a co-educational day school based halfway between Shrewsbury and Wem in Shropshire. We cater to pupils aged 7–18 with a range of complex needs, including SEMH and autism. We provide a therapeutic, supportive, and inclusive learning environment with a personalised curriculum focused on developing foundational knowledge and skills for a smooth transition to the next stage of life. Acorn Education is part of Outcomes First Group, a leading provider of specialist education.
Why Join Us
We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of pupils and young people. All applicants will be subject to DBS checks and safeguarding procedures.
Benefits
* Life Assurance
* Pension scheme with optional enhanced contributions
* Wellbeing support and health checks
* Flexible benefits platform with a wide range of health, wellbeing, and insurance options
* Discounts, Cycle to Work, Electric Car Purchase Scheme, and more
* Inclusive family growth benefits
We reserve the right to close the vacancy early if we receive a high volume of suitable applications. 4DWW is subject to successful probation and is not a contractual benefit.
Outcomes First Group is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of pupils. All stages of the recruitment process are subject to safeguarding checks and compliance with statutory requirements, which may affect timescales.
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