Teaching Assistant

Full Job Description

At OFG, we work smarter so you can spend more time doing what makes you happy!

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).

4DWW will be rolled out within our school, when we have a full complement of staff, and within the next year – so there’s never been a more exciting time to join us #teamOFG!

Job Title: Teaching Assistant
Location: Meadowcroft School, Wakefield, WF1 4AD
Salary:     £25,115.37 per annum (not pro rata)
Hours:     42.5 hours per week, Monday to Friday
Contract: Permanent | Term Time Only
Start:       January 2026
UK applicants only – this role does not offer sponsorship

As part of our continued growth, we have an exciting opportunity for a SEN Teaching Assistant to join our close-knit team at Meadowcroft School.

About the role

You will provide hands-on, personalised support to students with complex learning needs, helping to deliver lessons, implement individual plans, and create an inclusive and engaging learning environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Support the class teacher/tutor to ensure the delivery of high-quality education for all students
• Assist with the implementation of relevant education policies and procedures
• Provide individual or group support to enable students to access the curriculum as independently as possible
• Promote students’ physical, educational, and moral development in line with company policies
• Ensure equipment and resources are used, stored, and maintained efficiently, reporting any maintenance issues
• Support classroom organisation, resources, student groupings, and displays to create a stimulating learning environment suitable for students with autism spectrum disorder
• Assist in writing, updating, implementing, and evaluating student documentation, including Behaviour Support Profiles (BSP), Individual Risk Assessments, Individual Education Plans, Communication Profiles, and Pastoral Support Plans
• Collaborate with the class teacher/tutor to plan activities and ensure student safety on and off-site in line with risk assessments
• Produce teaching aids and resources as requested by the class teacher/tutor
• Contribute positively as a member of the school’s multi-professional team, fostering good working relationships with colleagues

About You

• Experience supporting students with special educational needs, particularly those with autism spectrum disorder
• Strong communication, teamwork, and organisational skills
• Patience, adaptability, and a proactive approach
• Commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children

About Us

Meadowcroft is an independent specialist day school for pupils aged from 5 to 19, catering for pupils with a wide range of needs across 4 sites in Wakefield. Our dedicated team work together to ensure successful outcomes for pupils.

We are part of Acorn Education and can promise you plenty of challenges, and a rich variety of opportunities to develop your career.

We are part of Acorn Education and can offer plenty of challenges along with a wide range of opportunities to develop your career. Acorn Education is the UK’s leading provider of specialist education for children and young people with special educational needs. As part of Outcomes First Group, we are leading our sector in creating and delivering innovative approaches that achieve 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? 

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. 

And that’s not all, 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.

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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