SEN Teaching Assistant

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:           SEN Teaching Assistant

Location:          Smallbrook School, Shrewsbury, SY4 3HE

Salary:              £21,000 - £23,000 per annum, based on experience

Hours:              37.5 hours per week | Monday to Friday | 08:45 - 16:20

Contract:          Permanent, Term Time only

Start date:        December 2025

UK applicants only. This role does not offer sponsorship.

At Smallbrook School, we believe every child deserves a champion — someone who sees their potential, meets them where they are, and helps them succeed, no matter the challenges they face. As we continue to grow, we’re looking for an exceptional SEN Teaching Assistant to join our warm, passionate, and committed team.

About the Role

In this rewarding role, you’ll provide 1:1 support to pupils with a variety of social, emotional, and learning needs — from speech and language challenges to behavioural and concentration difficulties. But this is far more than classroom support. You'll be:

• A trusted adult.
• A bridge between school and home.
• A crucial link between pupils and the wider network of professionals working to help them succeed.

You'll collaborate with specialists such as Speech and Language Therapists, Educational Psychologists, Social Workers, and other external agencies, playing a vital role in each pupil’s holistic development.

Sometimes your work may take place outside the classroom, supporting pupils wherever they’re most able to learn, grow, and feel safe.

What You'll Do:

• Provide tailored 1:1 support to help pupils overcome individual barriers to learning.
• Support learning both in and out of the classroom to meet pupils' diverse needs.
• Build trusted relationships with pupils, families, carers, and professionals.
• Promote the well-being, confidence, and independence of every child in your care.
• Follow school policies and uphold safeguarding as a top priority.
• Take ownership of specific tasks and contribute to the smooth running of school life.
• Embrace opportunities for professional development and take on new challenges as the school evolves.

What We're Looking For:

• A passion for working with young people with SEN.
• Empathy, patience, and a calm, supportive nature.
• A team player who thrives in a close-knit, caring environment.
• A flexible, can-do attitude and willingness to go the extra mile.
• Strong communication skills and the ability to work with families and professionals.
• Experience in an educational or support setting is desirable but not essential — the right attitude is what matters most.

About us

Smallbrook School is a co-educational day school based halfway between Shrewsbury and Wem in Shropshire. We are currently expanding our capacity from 50 to 80 students, with significant investment in our site to develop our KS2 and sixth form provision.

We cater to pupils aged 7–18 with a range of complex needs, including social, emotional, and mental health (SEMH) needs, as well as those diagnosed with autism or displaying behaviours associated with autism.

At Smallbrook, we provide a therapeutic, supportive, and inclusive learning environment, committed to raising achievement and enabling pupils to recognise and reach their potential. Through a personalised and engaging curriculum, we focus on developing the foundational knowledge and skills that ensure a smooth and manageable transition to the next stage of life.

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 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 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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