Teaching Assistant

Full Job Description

We work smarter so that you can enjoy the things that matter outside of work

Job Title:  Teaching Assistant 
Location:  Meadowcroft School, Wakefield, WF1 4AD
Hours:      42.5 hours per week | Monday–Friday | Mon, Tue, Wed 8am - 4.30pm, Thurs 8am- 5.30pm, Fri 8am- 3.30pm
Salary:      £25,115.37 per annum (not pro rata)
Contract: Permanent | Term Time Only
Start:        September 2026
UK applicants only – no sponsorship available

About the Role

Looking for a career where you can make a genuine difference?

At Meadowcroft School, every day is an opportunity to help children and young people with Autism and additional learning needs grow in confidence, develop new skills and achieve things they never thought possible.

As a Teaching Assistant, you'll be much more than classroom support. You'll build trusted relationships, encourage independence and help pupils overcome challenges while celebrating every success along the way.

Working alongside experienced teachers, therapists and a supportive multidisciplinary team, you'll help create a safe, engaging and nurturing environment where every child can thrive. Whether you're experienced in specialist education or bringing transferable skills from care, youth work or support work, we'll provide the training and support to help you build a rewarding career making a real difference.

What you will be doing

• Support pupils on a one-to-one basis, in small groups and within the classroom to help them engage in learning and achieve their individual goals.
• Work alongside teachers to deliver creative, engaging and personalised learning experiences.
• Encourage pupils' communication, confidence, emotional wellbeing and independence.
• Help implement Individual Education Plans (IEPs), Behaviour Support Plans (BSPs), Communication Profiles and personalised learning strategies.
• Create positive, trusting relationships that help pupils feel safe, valued and ready to learn.
• Support pupils during outdoor learning, educational visits and enrichment activities.
• Prepare learning resources and adapt activities to meet individual needs.
• Contribute to a calm, structured and inclusive learning environment.
• Work collaboratively with teachers, therapists and the wider multidisciplinary team to achieve the very best outcomes.
• Safeguard and promote the welfare of all children and young people.

What you will bring

We're looking for someone who:

• Has experience supporting children or young people with Autism, SEND or additional learning needs (desirable).
• Is patient, caring and passionate about helping every child succeed.
• Can build positive, trusting relationships with pupils and colleagues.
• Is resilient, adaptable and able to remain calm in challenging situations.
• Has excellent communication and teamwork skills.
• Is proactive, organised and eager to learn.
• Shares our commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people.

About Us

Meadowcroft School is an independent specialist day school across four sites in Wakefield, supporting pupils with complex SEMH needs and additional learning difficulties. We provide a safe, nurturing environment with personalised support, small classes, and a broad, balanced curriculum. Our dedicated team works with families, therapists, and external professionals to remove barriers and celebrate progress. We prepare every pupil to build confidence, essential life skills, and a pathway to future success.

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.

• Life Assurance
• Pension scheme with options to increase contributions
• “Your Wellbeing Matters” – mental health support and physical health checks
• Flexible Benefits Platform (Vista), including:
  • Health, wellbeing and insurance benefits
  • Hundreds of UK and international discounts
  • Cycle to Work Scheme & Electric Car Purchase Scheme
  • Critical illness cover
  • Family Growth Support, including enhanced maternity/paternity leave and paid fertility treatment support

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.

#1