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:  Benton House School, Benton, NE7 7XE

Salary:  £20,906.25 per annum (not pro rata)

Hours:  37.5 hours per week, Monday to Friday

Contract:  Permanent, Term Time Only

Start Date:  December 2025

UK applicants only. This role does not offer sponsorship.

Are you someone who believes every child deserves the chance to thrive? Do you find joy in helping young people overcome challenges and achieve their full potential?

At Benton House School, we’re looking for a passionate and dedicated SEN Teaching Assistant to join our supportive, close-knit team. This is a fantastic opportunity to play a key role in the lives of pupils with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND), helping them grow in confidence, independence, and curiosity.

Every day will bring fresh challenges, new learning, and the chance to see real progress — both academically and personally — from the pupils you support.

About the role

As an SEN Teaching Assistant, you’ll:

• Support teachers in delivering creative, engaging lessons that meet individual learning needs
• Work 1:1 and in small groups to help pupils develop essential skills and confidence
• Prepare learning resources and assist with classroom and outdoor activities
• Promote emotional wellbeing and positive behaviour through empathy, encouragement, and consistency
• Help pupils build independence and resilience, both inside and outside the classroom
• Take part in off-site learning opportunities that enrich the curriculum and build real-world experience

This is more than just a job — it’s an opportunity to help shape brighter futures.

What We’re Looking For

• A caring, compassionate, and adaptable person who’s committed to supporting young people with complex needs
• Someone who enjoys being part of a collaborative, positive, and forward-thinking team
• A proactive individual with a flexible attitude — ready to take learning beyond the classroom
• A willingness to learn and grow through further training or qualifications

About us

Benton House School is a brand-new SEN school for pupils with complex needs including SEMH. It is an exciting addition to the Acorn portfolio based in Newcastle.

Benton House School will have capacity for 60 pupils ages 5-14 years old.

We are part of Acorn Education and can promise you plenty of challenges, and a rich variety of opportunities to develop your career. Acorn Education is the UK’s leading independent provider of specialist education for vulnerable pupils and young people. 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 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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