Teaching Assistant

Outcomes First Group; East Midlands; On-site; GBP 19,000 - 25,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Life Assurance

Pension

Wellbeing support

Flexible Benefits

Cycle to Work

Electric Car Purchase Scheme

Critical illness cover

Family Growth Support

Job summary

Outcomes First Schools is seeking a Teaching Assistant at Longdon Park School in Derby. You will support autistic students to build confidence, independence and achieve outcomes, within a multi-disciplinary team in a safe, nurturing environment.

This is a permanent, term-time-only role, 40 hours per week, starting October 2026. UK applicants only—no sponsorship available. Driving licence and access to a vehicle are essential.

Qualifications

• Passionate about supporting autistic students to achieve their full potential.
• Patient, resilient and confident in managing challenging situations positively.
• Empathetic and nurturing, with a genuine commitment to student wellbeing.
• A strong communicator who builds positive relationships with students, families and colleagues.
• Organised and able to work effectively both independently and as part of a team.
• Experienced in supporting students with additional needs and/or complex behaviours.
• Committed to continuous professional development.

Responsibilities

• Supporting students in the classroom to access learning and achieve their individual goals
• Building positive, trusting relationships that help students develop confidence and independence
• Working closely with teachers to deliver engaging and personalised learning experiences
• Supporting students with communication, emotional regulation and social development
• Promoting a safe, positive and inclusive learning environment
• Working collaboratively with education, care and family teams to ensure consistent support
• Helping to manage behaviour positively and encourage students to develop self-control and resilience

Skills

Autism support

Communication

Teamwork

Patience

Empathy

Organised

Driver's license

Job description

At Outcomes First Schools we allow for greater work life balance and extra time to do the things you love outside work

• Job Title: Teaching Assistant
• Location: Longdon Park School, Derby, DE65 6GU.
• Hours: 40 hours per week | Mon, Wed - Fri 8:30am - 4pm, Tue 8:30am - 5pm
• Salary: £22,160.62 per annum (not pro rata)
• Contract: Permanent | Term Time Only
• Start: October 2026

UK applicants only – no sponsorship available

About the Role

At our specialist school, no two days are the same. As a Teaching Assistant, you'll play a vital role in helping autistic students build confidence, develop independence, and achieve outcomes they never thought possible.

This is much more than a classroom support role. You'll be part of a dedicated, multi-disciplinary team that works together to create a safe, nurturing and inspiring environment where every student can thrive both academically and personally.

Whether you're an experienced Teaching Assistant, have worked in care, support work or SEND environments, or you're looking for a rewarding new challenge, we'd love to hear from you.

Please note: You may be required to work across either site: Longdon Park, DE65 6GU or Longdon Parkway, DE14 2WD.

What you will be doing

• Supporting students in the classroom to access learning and achieve their individual goals
• Building positive, trusting relationships that help students develop confidence and independence
• Working closely with teachers to deliver engaging and personalised learning experiences
• Supporting students with communication, emotional regulation and social development
• Promoting a safe, positive and inclusive learning environment
• Working collaboratively with education, care and family teams to ensure consistent support
• Helping to manage behaviour positively and encourage students to develop self-control and resilience

What you will bring

• Passionate about supporting autistic students to achieve their full potential
• Patient, resilient and confident in managing challenging situations positively
• Empathetic and nurturing, with a genuine commitment to student wellbeing
• A strong communicator who builds positive relationships with students, families and colleagues
• Organised and able to work effectively both independently and as part of a team
• Experienced in supporting students with additional needs and/or complex behaviours
• Committed to continuous professional development
• Driving licence and access to a vehicle essential

About Us

Longdon Park School opened in June 2015 and is a co-educational day school for students aged 7 to 18 with complex educational needs, communication difficulties and behaviours that may challenge, primarily associated with a diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder (ASD).

We operate across two specialist sites to provide age-appropriate learning environments: Egginton, Derby supporting students aged 7–14 and Branston Burton upon Trent supporting young people aged 14–18.

Our therapeutic, supportive and inclusive approach enables every student to develop confidence, independence and resilience. We help our young people understand the impact of their actions, make positive choices and develop the social and emotional skills they need to thrive both in school and beyond.

We are committed to raising achievement by delivering a personalised, engaging curriculum tailored to each pupil's individual strengths, interests and aspirations. Our priority is to equip every learner with the knowledge, skills and confidence needed to achieve positive outcomes and make a successful transition into further education, employment or adult life.

Please note that Longdon Park School is not readily accessible by public transport, so applicants should consider this when applying

At Outcomes First Schools, we provide specialist education for learners who need a deeper level of understanding, expertise and support than mainstream education can typically offer. We support students with a wide range of complex, co-occurring and neurodivergent needs, including autism, ADHD, SEMH, speech and communication needs, dyslexia and experiences of trauma or adversity.

We are proud to be a part of OFG Education who in 2025 were officially certified as a ‘Great Place to Work’ for the sixth year running.

Why Join Us?

We place students 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 students 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.

OFG Education 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, OFG Education 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