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:  Teaching Assistant
Location: The Wenlock School, Dudley, West Midlands, DY1 3SB
Salary:      £22,160.62 per annum (not pro rata)
Hours:      37.5 hours per week | Monday 8:15am–4:30pm | Tuesday–Friday 8:15am–3:45pm
Contract: Permanent | Term Time Only
Start:        December 2025
Full UK Driving Licence (highly desirable)
Please Note: UK applicants only – this role does not offer sponsorship

As part of our continued growth and expansion, The Wenlock School is looking for passionate Teaching Assistants to support our pupils with Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH) needs.

About the Role

The Wenlock School is seeking a dedicated Teaching Assistant to join our close-knit team in Dudley. You will provide individualised support to pupils with social, emotional, and learning challenges, including speech and language difficulties, attention issues, challenging behaviour, and work avoidance.

You will collaborate closely with teachers, families, and external professionals such as Social Workers, Speech and Language Therapists, Educational Psychologists, and Early Intervention Teams. Your support will be key in promoting both academic progress and personal development for our pupils.

Key Responsibilities

• Safeguard and promote the welfare of all pupils
• Provide tailored learning and behavioural support
• Assist teachers with classroom organisation and lesson delivery
• Liaise with external agencies and families to ensure holistic care
• Support the planning and delivery of interventions
• Promote inclusion and help every pupil reach their full potential
• Carry out administrative or organisational tasks as required
• Participate in school-wide initiatives and professional development

What We’re Looking For

• GCSEs (or equivalent) in English and Mathematics at grade C / grade 4 or above
• Experience in a SEND environment
• Patient, resilient, and adaptable to pupil needs
• Knowledge of supporting pupils with communication, behaviour, and learning difficulties
• Calm, consistent, and compassionate when managing challenging behaviour
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, able to work within a multi-disciplinary team
• Organised with attention to detail in record-keeping, planning, and follow-up
• Willingness to engage in continuous professional development
• Empathetic, trustworthy, and able to build positive relationships with pupils, families, and colleagues
• Full UK Driving Licence

About us

Opened in 2018, The Wenlock School is a co-educational day school for pupils aged 7–18 with social, emotional, and mental health (SEMH) needs, autism, and associated learning differences.

We are building an Outstanding provision – a school that transforms lives through creativity, care, and commitment. Our team is passionate about making a genuine difference, supporting every pupil to reach their full potential within a therapeutic and inclusive environment.

At Wenlock, you’ll be part of a dedicated community that values innovation, collaboration, and compassion. Together, we empower pupils to succeed and build the foundations for a brighter future.

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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