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: Acorn Park School, Norwich, NR16 2HU
Salary: £20,906.25 per annum (not pro rata)
Hours: 37.5 hours per week; Monday to Friday 8.30am - 4.30pm
Contract: Permanent, Term Time Only
Start: October 2025
UK Applicants only. This role does not offer sponsorship.
As part of our continued growth, we’re looking for a dedicated and enthusiastic Teaching Assistant to join our close-knit team at Acorn Park School, part of Options Autism. This is an exciting opportunity to be part of a specialist educational setting where you can make a real difference to the lives of children and young people.
About the Role
As a Teaching Assistant, you will play a vital role in supporting the class teacher and wider team to deliver high-quality, inclusive education tailored to the needs of each student. Acorn Park School supports pupils with a range of needs, primarily associated with Autism and related conditions, and your contribution will help ensure they thrive both academically and personally.
Responsibilities
* Support the class teacher or tutor in delivering engaging, differentiated lessons.
* Provide 1:1 and small group support to help pupils access the curriculum independently.
* Assist in the preparation of classroom resources and teaching aids.
* Help maintain a safe, well-organised, and stimulating learning environment.
* Contribute to the implementation of behaviour support plans, risk assessments, and individual education plans.
* Promote students’ physical, emotional, and social development in line with school values.
* Support pupils both on-site and during off-site educational visits, ensuring safety and engagement.
* Work as part of a multi-disciplinary team, supporting positive outcomes for all learners.
Qualifications
* GCSE English and Maths at grade 4/C or above (or equivalent)
What We're Looking For
We’re seeking someone who is:
* Passionate about supporting children and young people with additional needs
* Patient, compassionate, and resilient
* A good communicator and team player
* Willing to learn and take initiative
* Committed to safeguarding and promoting pupil wellbeing
Experience in a similar role or with pupils with autism is an advantage, but not essential — full training is provided.
About us
Acorn Park is a school for 160 pupils, all with a primary diagnosis of Autism. We run two curriculum pathways — Formal and Semi-Formal. Our Complex Needs pupils follow the Semi-Formal Pathway, which is highly personalised according to their EHCPs. We have a mix of Day and Residential pupils, supported by 8 co-located pupil homes on our 30-acre rural Norfolk site. On site, we also have a large Forest School, an Animal Care Farm, play facilities, a sports hall, and sensory rooms.
For over 16 years Options Autism have provided care and education to pupils, young people and adults with autism, complex needs and learning difficulties. We are a leading provider of education for neurodivergent young people and young adults. 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?
And that’s not all, we place the outcomes of the pupils 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. 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:
* 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
* 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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