Teaching Assistant

Full Job Description

We believe in giving you more time to do the things you love outside of work

Job Title:  Teaching Assistant
Location:  Garden Court School, Carnforth, Lancashire LA6 2DZ
Hours:  40 per week | Monday to Friday | 8.00am – 4.00pm
Salary:  £23,638.00 per annum (not pro rata)
Contract:  Permanent | Term Time Only
Start:  August 2026
UK applicants only – no sponsorship available

About the Role

As a Teaching Assistant, you will play a vital role in supporting pupils to grow in confidence, independence and curiosity within a caring, inclusive environment. Working closely with teachers and specialist staff, you will help create engaging, personalised learning experiences and provide emotional, social and practical support for pupils with Autism and additional needs. Joining a brand new school, you will be instrumental in shaping a safe, nurturing culture where every child is supported to thrive.

• Support pupils aged 7–16 with Autism and associated needs, including SEMH, ADHD and communication difficulties.
• Work alongside teachers to plan and deliver engaging learning activities that promote progress and curiosity.
• Provide targeted support through small group work and one-to-one interventions.
• Offer consistent emotional, social and practical support to help pupils navigate daily school life.
• Promote positive behaviour, emotional wellbeing and high expectations for all learners.
• Help create and maintain a safe, welcoming and inclusive learning environment.
• Support outdoor learning, enrichment activities and personal development opportunities.
• Contribute flexibly across classroom-based and outdoor settings, adapting to the individual needs of pupils.

About You

We’re seeking someone who is:

• Adaptable and proactive, able to support pupils in a variety of settings
• Caring and patient, with a genuine interest in helping young people thrive
• Team-focused, working collaboratively alongside skilled staff in a supportive environment
• Willing to learn, with an open and positive approach to training and professional development
• Qualified with GCSE English and Maths Level 4/C (or equivalent
• Owning a full UK driving licence

About Us

Garden Court School is a new provision with outstanding facilities. 

It is located near the market town of Kirkby Lonsdale on the edge of the Lake District and the Yorkshire Dales in a commutable distance of Lancaster, Cumbria and surrounding areas.

Acorn Education offers rewarding careers and meaningful challenges while making a real difference in young people’s lives. As a leading UK provider of specialist education for children and young people with special educational needs, and part of Outcomes First Group, we deliver innovative, evidence-based approaches that support measurable progress and lasting impact.

We are really proud to say that in 2025 Outcomes First Group were officially certified as a ‘Great Place to Work’ for the sixth year running.

Why Join Us?

We place pupils and vulnerable young adults at the heart of everything we do, so every day brings the satisfaction of making a real difference. 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.

Additional School Benefits

• Birthday Chocolates
• Gift Voucher at Christmas
• Medicash Wellbeing Health Expenses including Employee Assistance Programme and Anytime Healthline
• Team Building Days
• 'Go Green Initiative' - Every staff member who lives outside of a 10-mile radius from Underley Garden will receive a payment for five days travel per month. We encourage car sharing where possible

We reserve the right to close the vacancy early if we receive a high volume of suitable applications.

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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