Teaching Assistant (No Experience Needed, Training Provided)

Full Job Description

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Job Title:   Teaching Assistant
Location:   Castle Garden School, Guildford, Surrey GU1 S3Q
Hours:       40 hours per week | Monday–Friday | 8:00am – 4:00pm
Salary:       £23,638 per annum (not pro rata)
Contract:   Permanent | Term Time Only
Start:         December 2026
UK applicants only – no sponsorship available

About the role

Looking for a career where you can make a genuine difference every single day?

At Castle Garden School, we're looking for caring, enthusiastic and resilient individuals to join our growing team as Teaching Assistants. You don't need previous experience in education, we'll provide all the training and support you need to build a rewarding career in specialist education.

Working with pupils with Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH) needs and additional learning needs, you'll help young people build confidence, overcome challenges and achieve things they never thought possible.

If you're compassionate, patient and want a role where every day matters, we'd love to hear from you.

What You'll Be Doing

• Supporting pupils with SEMH and additional needs to engage in learning and school life.
• Providing one-to-one and small-group support tailored to individual needs.
• Working alongside teachers to deliver creative, engaging and personalised learning activities.
• Helping create a safe, nurturing and structured environment where every pupil can thrive.
• Encouraging confidence, resilience, independence and positive behaviour.
• Supporting pupils' emotional wellbeing using therapeutic and nurturing approaches.
• Preparing learning resources and assisting with classroom, outdoor and enrichment activities.
• Working as part of a supportive multidisciplinary team focused on achieving the very best outcomes for every pupil.

About You

We're looking for someone who:

• Holds GCSE English and Maths (Grade 4/C or above) or equivalent.
• No previous experience is required—full training and ongoing development will be provided.
• Has a genuine passion for helping children and young people succeed.
• Is patient, caring and able to build positive relationships.
• Is resilient, adaptable and enjoys working as part of a team.
• Is interested in supporting pupils with SEMH, Autism Spectrum Condition (ASC) and additional needs.
• Is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people.

About Us

Castle Garden School is a brand-new independent specialist school for pupils with autism between 5 - 11 years of age.

Castle Garden School strives to provide effective, specialist education and support to autistic pupils and their families, which will allow pupils to achieve their full potential in education and life. Located in the town centre of Guildford, the school provides primary education and offers a unique mix of education and support to pupils within a wide spectrum of needs and abilities. Personalised teaching and learning in an autism specific environment allows pupils’ individual needs to be addressed completely and their capabilities fully realised.

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.

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