Teaching Assistant

Dibden Park School; New Forest; On-site; GBP 22,000 - 25,000; Full time

Job summary

An independent specialist school in the New Forest is looking for a Teaching Assistant to support pupils with diverse needs. You will work closely with students, helping them in their academic and personal development. The role requires a caring, adaptable approach and a desire to collaborate in a team environment. Salary is £22,160.62 per annum for a full-time, term-time only position.

Benefits

Life Assurance

Flexible Benefits Platform

Cycle to Work Scheme

Work 80% hours for 100% pay

Participation in 4-Day Working Week trial

Qualifications

• Confidence working with diverse needs.
• Ability to tailor support to individual pupil needs.
• Experience in classroom and outdoor settings.

Responsibilities

• Guide pupils' learning and development.
• Prepare learning materials and lead activities.
• Support emotional and physical development.
• Assist in delivering engaging lessons.

Skills

Caring approach

Adaptability

Patience

Creativity

Team player

Job description

Job Details

Job title: Teaching Assistant

Location: Dibden Park School, Southampton SO45 5TD

Salary: £22,160.62 per annum (not pro rata)

Hours: 37.5 hours per week • Monday to Friday • 8:30am – 4:30pm

Contract: Permanent, Term Time Only

Start: January 2026 • UK applicants only – no sponsorship available

About the Role

Every day is different at Dibden Park. As a Teaching Assistant, you will:

• Work closely with pupils to guide their learning, supporting both academic and personal development
• Prepare learning materials and lead classroom or small‑group activities tailored to individual needs
• Support pupils’ emotional, social and physical development, helping them gain confidence and independence
• Assist teachers in delivering engaging lessons, both indoors and outdoors
• Share your skills and knowledge while learning from colleagues in a collaborative, team‑focused environment

What We’re Looking For

• A caring, adaptable and proactive approach to working with pupils with diverse needs
• Confidence working in a variety of settings, from classroom lessons to outdoor learning experiences
• Ability to respond to individual pupil needs with patience, creativity and understanding
• A team player who thrives in a supportive and collaborative school environment

About Us

Dibden Park School is a brand‑new independent specialist school based in Southampton. We provide inclusive education within a safe and nurturing environment for students with complex needs, including social, emotional and mental health (SEMH) challenges, communication and interaction difficulties and associated behaviours. Our focus is on meeting each pupil’s individual needs and helping them thrive academically, socially and emotionally.

We are part of Acorn Education and 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 lead our sector in creating and delivering innovative approaches that achieve measurable outcomes for those in our care.

We are proud to have been certified as a ‘Great Place to Work’ for the fifth year running in 2024.

Benefits

Our health and wellbeing package includes:

• Life Assurance and 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
• Flexible Benefits Platform, Vista, allowing you to choose from a wide range of health, wellbeing and insurance benefits and 100’s of discount options valid in the UK and abroad
• Cycle to Work Scheme and Electric Car Purchase Scheme
• Critical illness cover
• Family Growth Support – inclusive benefits package covering enhanced maternity and paternity leave, plus paid fertility treatment support

We also offer:

• Work 80% of your contractual hours for 100% of your pay – giving you more time for the things that make you happy
• Participation in a 4‑Day Working Week trial (subject to completion of probation; not a contractual benefit)

Important Information

Applicants will undergo a social media check and a fully enhanced DBS check. All stages of the recruitment process will be conducted in accordance with safeguarding and statutory requirements. We reserve the right to close the vacancy early if we receive a high volume of suitable applications.