Higher Level Teaching Assistant - Pastoral

Full Job Description

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: Higher Level Teaching Assistant – Pastoral

Location: Options Trent Acres, Kings Bromley, Staffordshire, DE13 7HR
Salary:     £25,000 per annum (not pro rata)
Hours:     40 hours per week | Monday – Friday | 8am – 4pm
Contract: Permanent | Term Time Only
Start:       November 2025

UK applicants only. This role does not offer sponsorship.

As part of our continued growth, we are delighted to offer an exciting opportunity for a Higher Level Teaching Assistant – Pastoral to join our dedicated and forward-thinking team at Options Trent Acres.

About the Role

This is a key role for someone who is passionate about supporting young people to re-engage with learning, build confidence, and develop essential life skills. You will work closely with teachers, support staff, and the pastoral team to promote emotional wellbeing, positive behaviour, and inclusion across the school.

You’ll be at the heart of our pastoral provision — mentoring pupils, guiding colleagues, and helping to create a nurturing, structured, and supportive environment where every learner can thrive.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide mentoring, coaching, and guidance to Teaching Assistants and colleagues
• Deliver targeted interventions and emotional support for pupils requiring additional guidance
• Collaborate with the pastoral team to develop and implement behaviour and wellbeing strategies
• Support pupils in managing emotions, developing resilience, and engaging positively in learning
• Maintain accurate pastoral records, track progress, and evaluate the impact of interventions
• Offer on-call behavioural support, modelling calm, solution-focused practice
• Contribute to safeguarding, inclusion, and personal development across the school
• Support attendance and re-engagement initiatives, including home visits when needed
• Work with the SEN team on inclusion practices and contribute to EHCP reviews

About You

You are an empathetic, resilient, and proactive professional who is passionate about making a difference in the lives of young people with additional needs. You’ll bring:

• Experience working in a pastoral or inclusion-focused role, ideally within an SEMH or SEND setting
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build positive relationships with pupils, families, and professionals
• Strong behaviour management and emotional coaching skills
• A calm, consistent, and reflective approach to supporting pupils and staff
• Confidence in record-keeping, planning interventions, and contributing to whole-school improvement
• Commitment to safeguarding, inclusion, and the wellbeing of every pupil

About the school

Options Trent Acres School is currently undergoing development and increasing its pupils numbers transitioning from 30 pupils to 60 pupils recently and with approval to open an Early Years Unit and extend our Primary provision. Due to this exciting time for the School the job roles currently advertised are all new as part of this development.

The school is purpose built, modern and welcoming with a range of specialist learning areas including an indoor and outdoor riding school and outdoor gymnasium. Children also have the opportunity to work with our horses, donkeys, goats, alpaca and chickens. Learning outside of the classroom is a fundamental part of life at Trent Acres. We have a dedicated staff team who are focused on the delivery of high quality, child centred, bespoke packages of care and education.

Our service is in within easy reach of Stoke, Derby, Telford, Stafford, Lichfield, Burntwood, Rugeley, Burton-on-Trent, Tamworth, Uttoxeter and surrounding towns. 

For over 16 years Options Autism have provided care and education to children, young people and adults with autism, complex needs and learning difficulties. 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?

We place the outcomes of the pupils and vulnerable young adults 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 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.

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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