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:  Orchard Manor, Near Kings Lynn, Downham Market, PE34 3HT
Hours:      40 hours per week | Monday to Friday
Salary:      £22,366 per annum (not pro rata)
Contract:  Permanent | Term time only
Start:        October 2026
UK applicants only – no sponsorship available

About the Role

At Orchard Manor, we’re looking for a caring, resilient and experienced Teaching Assistant to support Primary-age pupils with complex and high levels of need.

Working alongside experienced teachers and the wider school team, you’ll provide individualised support that helps pupils feel safe, engage with learning and develop greater confidence and independence.

This is a rewarding opportunity for someone who understands that progress looks different for every pupil – and that sometimes the smallest steps can represent the biggest achievements.

What you will be doing

• Provide 1:1, small-group and classroom support to Primary-age pupils with complex and high levels of need.
• Help pupils access learning through individualised and engaging approaches tailored to their needs.
• Work closely with teachers and colleagues to support learning activities and individual pupil outcomes.
• Build positive and trusting relationships that help pupils feel safe, understood and ready to learn.
• Support pupils to develop greater confidence, communication, independence and social skills.
• Provide calm and consistent support around emotional wellbeing and positive behaviour.
• Get involved in activities across the wider school day, supporting learning both inside and outside the classroom.
• Observe, recognise and share pupil progress, celebrating achievements at every stage.

What you will bring

We’re looking for someone who understands the rewards and challenges of supporting pupils with complex needs and can bring patience, consistency and positivity to every school day.

You’ll need:

• Relevant Teaching Assistant experience, including experience supporting Primary-age pupils with complex and high levels of need.
• The ability to build positive and appropriate relationships with pupils.
• A calm, patient and resilient approach, particularly when situations become challenging.
• Confidence adapting your communication and support to meet different individual needs and ways of learning.
• A genuine commitment to helping pupils develop and achieve greater independence.
• Strong teamwork and communication skills.
• A willingness to learn from colleagues and continue developing your specialist knowledge and skills.
• A commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people.

About us

Orchard Manor School, part of Options Autism, is a brand-new specialist school opening near King’s Lynn in Downham Market. The school will cater for up to 72 pupils aged 5 to 16 with a variety of complex needs, including Autism Spectrum Condition (ASC).

Orchard Manor is an independent specialist school where the curriculum is thoughtfully designed around the specific needs of autistic learners and those with related needs. Education is supported by a fully integrated on-site clinical team, ensuring a holistic, person-centred approach to learning and wellbeing.

At Orchard Manor, we are committed to creating a nurturing, inclusive environment where every pupil is supported to achieve their full potential.

For over 19 years, Options Autism has provided specialist care and education for children, young people, and adults with autism, complex needs, and learning difficulties. As part of Outcomes First Group, we are pioneering innovative, evidence-based approaches that deliver meaningful, measurable outcomes for everyone in our care.

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