Teaching Assistant

Hillingdon Manor School; Guildford; On-site; GBP 21,000 - 26,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Life Assurance

Pension scheme

Wellbeing support

Flexible Benefits Platform

Discounts

Cycle to Work

Critical illness cover

Family Growth Support

Job summary

Castle Garden School in Guildford is seeking a dedicated Teaching Assistant to support pupils with autism and additional needs. The role is permanent, 40 hours per week, Monday to Friday, with a salary of £23,638 per annum (not pro rata) and term-time considerations.

You will help create engaging learning experiences and promote emotional wellbeing within a supportive team. Castle Garden School, part of Options Autism, offers a nurturing environment in Guildford.

Qualifications

• GCSE English and Maths completed.
• Caring, adaptable and enthusiastic.
• Passionate about helping young people reach their potential.
• Confident in diverse indoor and outdoor learning environments.
• Strong team player with collaboration and mutual support.
• Calm, patient and responsive to individual pupil needs.
• Eager to learn and grow in a rewarding education career.

Responsibilities

• Supporting pupils with autism and additional needs in their learning.
• Assisting with engaging classroom activities and personalised learning experiences.
• Providing emotional and practical support tailored to individual pupils.
• Helping pupils build confidence, independence and social skills.
• Supporting both indoor and outdoor learning activities.
• Building positive relationships with pupils, families and colleagues.
• Working collaboratively as part of a supportive and passionate team.
• Helping create a safe, nurturing and inclusive learning environment.

Skills

GCSE English

GCSE Maths

Caring & adaptable

Team player

Job description

Enter your postcode, then select the range below

• Range

Teaching Assistant

• Guildford
• Permanent

Salary: £23,638 per annum

Hours: 40 hours per week, Monday to Friday

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

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

At Castle Garden School , part of Options Autism, we believe every young person deserves the opportunity to succeed in a supportive, nurturing and inspiring environment.As part of our continued growth, we’re looking for a passionate and caring Teaching Assistant to join our close-knit team and help transform the lives of pupils with autism and additional needs.

This is more than a classroom role — it’s a chance to build confidence, inspire independence and make a genuine difference every single day.

As a Teaching Assistant, you’ll work closely with pupils to support their learning, emotional wellbeing and personal development — helping them engage with the world around them and achieve more than they ever thought possible.You’ll help create engaging learning experiences, support classroom activities, encourage positive social interaction and provide the guidance pupils need to flourish both inside and outside the classroom.

Whether you’re leading outdoor activities, supporting creative lessons or celebrating a pupil’s breakthrough moment, your role will be meaningful, rewarding and impactful.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Supporting pupils with autism and additional needs in their learning and development
• Assisting with engaging classroom activities and personalised learning experiences
• Providing emotional and practical support tailored to individual pupils
• Helping pupils build confidence, independence and social skills
• Supporting both indoor and outdoor learning activities
• Building positive relationships with pupils, families and colleagues
• Working collaboratively as part of a supportive and passionate team
• Helping create a safe, nurturing and inclusive learning environment

Who we are looking for

We’re looking for someone who is:

• GCSE English and Maths
• Caring, adaptable and enthusiastic
• Passionate about helping young people achieve their potential
• Confident working in a variety of learning environments, both indoors and outdoors
• A strong team player who values collaboration and mutual support
• Calm, patient and responsive to individual pupil needs
• Eager to learn, develop and grow within a rewarding education career

About Us

Castle Garden School is a brand-new independent specialist school for pupilswith 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

Wherever you work – whether in a city location or one of our more rural settings – you’ll be part of one dynamic family, aiming high and dreaming big, and helping the people we work with achieve their own personal goals

Hours: 40 hours per week, Monday to Friday

Salary: Up to £48,000 per annum, depending on experience

Hours: 37.5 hours per week, Monday to Friday

Salary: Up to £48,000 per annum (depending on experience)

Hours: 37.5 hours per week, Monday - Friday

With amazing teams working across our family of brands – Acorn Education, Options Autism, Momenta Connect and Blenheim Schools– we offer a huge range of exciting career opportunities.

Meeting the social and emotional needs of pupils who have faced trauma or adversity, equipping them for life’s important steps.

Supporting autistic pupils to value their uniqueness and access the world in their own way.

At Momenta Connect we support young people to overcome barriers and engage with education.

We are committed to enabling outstanding futures for all children through a portfolio of inclusive, high-quality independent and international schools.