Teaching Assistant

The Holden School (Firs Lane Site); Leigh; On-site; GBP 20,000 - 25,000; Full time

Job summary

A specialist education provider in Leigh is seeking a dedicated Teaching Assistant to support pupils with SEMH and Autism. The role involves providing 1:1 support, assisting teachers, and contributing to a positive learning environment. Ideal candidates will be adaptable and passionate about helping young people thrive. Benefits include life assurance, pension scheme, and mental health support services.

Benefits

Life Assurance

Pension scheme

Access to mental health support services

Flexible benefits platform

Qualifications

• Experience in supporting students with SEMH and/or Autism.
• Open to learning and professional development.

Responsibilities

• Provide 1:1 or small-group support for pupils.
• Assist teachers in planning and delivering activities.
• Lead small group sessions and interventions.
• Contribute to a positive and safe learning environment.
• Support outdoor learning and personal development.

Skills

Support for pupils with SEMH needs

Adaptability

Caring and patience

Teamwork

Job description

; no sponsorship offered.

At The Holden School, part of Acorn Education, we believe every young person has untapped potential — and every day offers the chance to help them realise it. We’re looking for a dedicated Teaching Assistant with SEMH and / or Autism Specialism to join our team and make a meaningful impact on pupils with varied and complex needs.

About the Role

This isn’t just a classroom role — it’s an opportunity to empower, nurture, and inspire. You’ll help pupils grow in confidence, independence, and curiosity, all within a supportive, inclusive school environment where your contribution truly matters.

What You’ll Do

• Provide 1 : 1 or small-group support for pupils with SEMH needs and / or Autism
• Assist teachers in planning and delivering activities that spark curiosity and progress
• Lead small group sessions and support one-to-one interventions
• Offer emotional, social, and practical support to pupils as they navigate school life
• Contribute to creating a safe, welcoming, and positive learning environment
• Support outdoor learning, enrichment activities, and personal development initiatives

Who We're Looking For

• Adaptable and proactive, able to support pupils in a variety of settings
• Caring and patient, with a genuine interest in helping young people thrive
• Team-focused, working alongside skilled staff in a supportive environment
• Willing to learn, open to training and professional development

Whether you’re supporting classroom activities, engaging in outdoor learning, or helping pupils gain independence and confidence, your input will shape lives.

Join us at The Holden School – where every day is an opportunity to inspire, support, and grow.

About Us

The Holden School is an independent specialist day school for boys and girls aged from 5to 16, catering for pupils with a wide range of needs in Lancashire, Manchester and surrounding areas. Our dedicated team work together to ensure successful outcomes for pupils who often arrive at the school with a troubled view of education and life. We are a Therapeutic Led, Trauma Informed School providing individualised curriculums for our students supported by our Class Teams, our Pastoral Team and our own Therapists.

We pride ourselves in steering pupils in the right direction, nurturing aspiration to progress them academically and socially, to encourage them to take pride in their achievements. Socially, we build confidence in our students, so they are able to have a greater understanding of the wider community in which they live.

We are part of Acorn Educationand can offer plenty of challenges along with a wide range of opportunities to develop your career. Acorn Education is the UK’s leading provider of specialist education for children and young people with special educational needs. As part of Outcomes First Group, we are leading our sector in creating and delivering innovative approaches that achieve measurable outcomes for those in our care.

We are really proud to say that in 2024, Outcomes First Group were officially certified as a ‘Great Place to Work’ for the fifth year running.

Why join Acorn Education?

We place the outcomes of the pupils in our services at the heart of everything we do, so you’ll wake every day in the knowledge that your role will have a significant positive impact on the lives of others.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of pupils. All applicants will be subject to social media checks and successful applicants to a fully enhanced DBS.

Benefits

Your health and wellbeing are important to us, so you’ll get an exceptional reward package including:

• Life Assurance
• Pension scheme with options to increase your contributions
• “Your Wellbeing Matters” – access to a wide range of first-class mental health support services and physical health checks

And a market-leading benefit offering through our Flexible Benefits Platform, Vista, enables you to choose the package that’s right for you, including:

• A wide range of health, wellbeing, and insurance benefits
• 100’s of discount options valid in the UK and abroad
• Cycle to Work Schemes
• Electric Car Purchase Scheme
• Critical illness cover
• Family Growth Support - inclusive benefits package covering enhanced maternity and paternity leave, along with paid fertility treatment support.

• You’ll work 80% of your contractual hours for 100% of your pay, giving you more time to do the things that make you happy. 4DWW is subject to successful completion of probation and is not a contractual benefit

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.