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Job Title: Teaching Assistant
Location: Groveside School, Reading, RG2 7AY
Hours: 37.5 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
Groveside school is seeking a dedicated, compassionate, and proactive Teaching Assistant to join our specialist education team. If you are passionate about supporting young people with autism and helping them thrive academically, socially, and emotionally, we’d love to hear from you.
As a Teaching Assistant you will play a vital role in delivering high‑quality education and care to our students. Working closely with class teachers, tutors, and our multi‑professional team, you will help create a safe, stimulating, and supportive learning environment where every student can achieve their full potential.
This role is ideal for someone who is patient, resilient, and committed to making a meaningful difference in the lives of young people with autistic spectrum disorder.
What you will be doing
- Support class teachers and tutors in delivering high‑quality education, implementing all relevant policies, and creating a structured, autism‑appropriate learning environment.
- Provide individual and group support to students to help them access the curriculum, develop independence, and progress socially, emotionally, and academically.
- Assist with planning, risk assessments, and the creation, updating, and evaluation of student documentation including IEPs, BSPs, risk assessments, and communication profiles.
- Help manage challenging behaviour using consistent strategies that promote students’ development from external control to self‑control.
- Contribute to the preparation of teaching resources, classroom organisation, and the effective use and maintenance of equipment and learning materials.
- Work collaboratively with teaching, care, and multi‑professional teams, maintaining strong communication to ensure a consistent approach between school, home, and other departments.
- Support students with morning routines and personal care where required, ensuring their safety, wellbeing, and safeguarding at all times.
- Maintain accurate records, follow all safeguarding, behaviour, and health & safety policies, and engage in ongoing training, meetings, and professional development.
What you will bring
- Experience working with young people or adults with autism (desirable but not essential).
- A calm, patient, and empathetic approach.
- Strong communication and teamwork skills.
- Willingness to learn, adapt, and take part in ongoing professional development.
- Commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of students.
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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