Job Overview
How would you like to be paid for five days but only work four?
Our colleagues’ wellbeing is at the heart of everything we do at OFG, so we’re always looking for new ways to improve everyone’s work/life balance. We’re taking part in a trial of the 4-Day Working Week, meaning that you could be working one day less a week (or equivalent).
If the trial is a success, we’ll be rolling the 4DWW out across the Group – so there’s never been a more exciting time to join #teamOFG!
Visits to Underley Garden School are welcome to all applicants!
Job Details
* Job Title: Teaching Assistant
* Location: Underley Garden School, Kirkby Lonsdale LA6 2DZ
* Salary: £22,300.00 per annum (not pro rata) plus a Welcome Bonus of £1,000
* Hours: 40 hours per week, Monday to Friday
* Contract: Permanent, Term Time Only
* Note: UK applicants only. This role does not offer sponsorship. Candidates must have Full UK Driving Licence and access to a vehicle to get to work.
About The Role
Enjoy a rewarding education career and have a real impact on pupils’ lives. Join an amazing team creating supportive, nurturing environments where our pupils achieve far more than they ever expected.
As a Teaching Assistant, you will connect directly with the brilliant students we support, helping to ensure they get the very best from their education. Each individual has a diagnosis of Autism and may have additional needs. They have so much potential, and they will rely on you to guide their learning journeys bespoke to them.
You will help prepare learning materials and run classroom activities, with plenty of hands-on experience and providing close supervision of the pupils. You will take responsibility for their emotional and physical needs, supporting them to develop as individuals and engage with the world.
Every day will be different, but you will have all the support you need, with lots of skills and experience to draw on along with valuable advice and guidance too.
Who We Are Looking For
We are looking for passionate staff who want to support pupils with a variety of complex needs such as Autism, SEMH, ADHD, pupils who are speaking and non-speaking as well as pupils with communicational difficulties and more. You may be required to undertake personal care duties such as feeding and toileting to support our students.
We warmly welcome applicants from all sections of the community regardless of age, religion, gender identity or expression, race, disability or sexual orientation, and are committed to promoting diversity and equality of opportunity.
Enthusiastic, warm candidates who want to make a positive impact on pupils’ lives are encouraged to apply. Experience is desirable but not necessary. We will provide full training and development.
Successful candidates need to be adaptable and ready to work in various classroom roles, indoors and outside, according to individual needs. A caring and responsive approach is essential, whether running classroom activities, leading outdoor experiences, or supervising pupils exploring further afield.
About Us
Underley Garden School is a large school with small class sizes, focusing on pupils aged 5-19 with complex needs related to autism and learning disabilities. We adopt a holistic, person-centred approach to ensure pupils achieve high standards through education, care, and therapy tailored to their needs.
Located near Kirkby Lonsdale, on the edge of the Lake District and Yorkshire Dales, within reach of Lancaster, Cumbria, and surrounding areas.
Options Autism has provided support and education for over 16 years. As part of Outcomes First Group, we lead in setting new approaches that deliver measurable outcomes. In 2024, we were certified as a ‘Great Place to Work’ for the fifth consecutive year.
Why Join Options Autism?
Benefits include:
* Life Assurance
* Pension scheme with options to increase contributions
* Access to mental health support and health checks
* Flexible benefits via Vista platform, including health, wellbeing, insurance, discounts, cycle schemes, electric car purchase, and critical illness cover
* Family growth support, including enhanced maternity/paternity leave and fertility treatments
* Additional benefits such as birthday chocolates, Christmas vouchers, health expenses, team-building days, and travel payments for staff outside a 10-mile radius, encouraging car sharing
Your role will have a significant positive impact on pupils’ lives, and we are committed to safeguarding and promoting their welfare. All applicants will undergo social media checks and DBS clearance. We reserve the right to close the vacancy early if necessary.
Note: You’ll work 80% of your contractual hours for 100% of your pay. The 4DWW is subject to successful probation and is not a contractual benefit.
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