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Job Title: Teaching Assistant
Location: Groveside School, Reading, RG2 7AY
Hours: 37.5 hours per week | Monday – Friday
Salary: £22,160.62 per annum (not pro rata)
Contract: Permanent | Term Time Only
Start: September 2026
UK applicants only – no sponsorship available
About the Role
Are you looking for a career where every day brings the opportunity to make a genuine difference?
At Groveside School, we're looking for a caring, enthusiastic and resilient Teaching Assistant to join our dedicated team. You'll support children and young people with Autism Spectrum Condition (ASC) and additional needs, helping them build confidence, develop independence and achieve more than they ever thought possible.
This is much more than a classroom support role. You'll become a trusted role model, celebrating every achievement, encouraging pupils to overcome challenges and helping them thrive both in and out of the classroom. Working alongside experienced teachers, therapists and a supportive multidisciplinary team, you'll help create a safe, engaging and nurturing learning environment where every pupil feels valued, understood and empowered to succeed.
Whether you already have experience in specialist education or are bringing transferable skills from care, youth work or support work, we'll provide the training and support to help you build a rewarding career.
What You'll Be Doing
- Support pupils on a one-to-one basis, in small groups and within the classroom to help them access learning and achieve their individual goals.
- Work alongside teachers to deliver engaging, personalised learning experiences that inspire confidence and curiosity.
- Encourage pupils' communication, emotional wellbeing, independence and social development.
- Build positive, trusting relationships that help pupils feel safe, supported and ready to learn.
- Support the development and implementation of Individual Education Plans (IEPs), Behaviour Support Plans (BSPs), Communication Profiles and personalised learning strategies.
- Promote positive behaviour using consistent, nurturing and restorative approaches.
- Prepare learning resources and help create stimulating, structured learning environments.
- Work collaboratively with teachers, therapists, families and the wider multidisciplinary team to achieve the very best outcomes for every pupil.
- Support educational visits, enrichment activities and wider school life where required.
- Safeguard and promote the welfare of all children and young people.
What you will bring
We're looking for someone who:
- Is passionate about helping children and young people with Autism and additional needs achieve their full potential.
- Is caring, patient and resilient, with a calm and positive approach.
- Can build strong, trusting relationships with pupils, colleagues and families.
- Is an excellent communicator and enjoys working as part of a supportive team.
- Is adaptable, proactive and eager to learn and develop professionally.
- Has experience working with children or adults with Autism or additional needs (desirable, but not essential).
- Is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people.
If you're looking for a rewarding career where your encouragement, patience and support can change lives every day, we'd love to hear from you.
About Us
Groveside School is a Special Educational Needs School for Pupils 7 - 16 years old with Social, Emotional and Mental Health Needs. Our school opened in September 2024 and will cater for 60 pupils.
To the ideal candidate, Groveside School offers the following opportunities:
- To work in a school that is passionate about all achievement for all pupils.
- To work with fantastic pupils who enjoy a dynamic and engaging curriculum.
- To begin your journey with a strong induction programme tailored to your experience and needs.
- To engage collaboratively within a very supportive environment where professional development is an essential aspect of our daily practice.
- To develop your career.
- To be committed to creating exceptional pupil experiences and learning for all.
Acorn Education offers rewarding careers and meaningful challenges while making a real difference in young people’s lives. As a leading UK provider of specialist education for children and young people with special educational needs, and part of Outcomes First Group, we deliver innovative, evidence-based approaches that support measurable progress and lasting impact.
We are really proud to say that in 2025 Outcomes First Group were officially certified as a ‘Great Place to Work’ for the sixth year running.
Why Join Us?
We place pupils and vulnerable young adults at the heart of everything we do, so every day brings the satisfaction of making a real difference. 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.
- Life Assurance
- Pension scheme with options to increase contributions
- “Your Wellbeing Matters” – mental health support and physical health checks
- Flexible Benefits Platform (Vista), including:
- Health, wellbeing and insurance benefits
- Hundreds of UK and international discounts
- Cycle to Work Scheme & Electric Car Purchase Scheme
- Critical illness cover
- Family Growth Support, including enhanced maternity/paternity leave and paid fertility treatment support
We reserve the right to close the vacancy early if we receive a high volume of suitable applications.
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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