Teaching Assistant

Full Job Description

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

Job Title:  Teaching Assistant

Location: Longdon Hall School, Lichfield, Staffordshire, WS15 4PT
Salary: £20,906.25 per annum (not pro rata)
Hours: 37.5 hours per week
Working Pattern: 37.5 hours per week – Monday to Friday, 08:30–16:00 (Mondays until 16:30)
Contract Type: Permanent | Term Time Only
This role does not offer visa sponsorship.

At Longdon Hall School, part of Acorn Education, we are committed to helping our pupils thrive, often in ways they never thought possible. As part of our continued growth, we are excited to offer a fantastic opportunity for a Teaching Assistant to join our close-knit and supportive team.

About the Role

As a Teaching Assistant, you'll play a vital role in shaping positive, meaningful educational experiences for pupils with varied and complex needs. Your work will directly contribute to each young person’s development, well-being, and success.

Key responsibilities:

• Support teaching staff in delivering tailored lessons and activities
• Prepare learning materials and help manage classroom environments
• Provide individualised support to pupils, both in and outside the classroom
• Assist with emotional, social, and physical development
• Lead or support outdoor learning and off-site experiences
• Work collaboratively as part of a strong, committed team

You’ll find every day brings a new challenge—and a new opportunity to grow. With full support and guidance, you’ll have the chance to develop your career in education and make a lasting difference.

What We’re Looking For

We’re seeking someone who is:

• Compassionate, patient, and resilient
• Flexible and adaptable to different learning environments
• Confident working 1:1 or with small groups
• Willing to learn and share knowledge as part of a dynamic team
• Able to support both academic progress and emotional well-being

Experience supporting children with special educational needs (SEN) is beneficial, but not essential—most importantly, you should have a genuine desire to help young people succeed.

Apply today and be part of a school where your contribution truly matters. Together, we’ll help every pupil discover just how much they’re capable of.

About Us

Longdon Hall School is an independent specialist day school for boys and girls aged from 7 to 18, catering for pupils with a wide range of social, emotional, and mental health needs. Our dedicated team work together to ensure successful outcomes for pupils who often arrive at the school with a troubled view of education and life.

This opportunity is in Lichfield which is within commutable distance of Cannock, Burton upon Trent and surrounding areas.

Acorn Education is the UK’s leading independent provider of specialist education. 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 Acorn Education? 

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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