Teaching Assistant

Outcomes First Group; Pepperstock; On-site; GBP 23,000; Full time

Job summary

A provider of education for children with autism is seeking a dedicated Teaching Assistant to support pupils' development in a nurturing environment. You will work closely with children, tailoring your approach to their individual needs while promoting wellbeing. Ideal candidates should have a passion for helping children with complex needs and have GCSEs in English and Maths. Enjoy a 4-Day Working Week with competitive pay. Apply today to make a difference.

Benefits

Life Assurance

Pension scheme

Mental health support services

Flexible Benefits Platform

Critical illness cover

Family Growth Support

Qualifications

• Qualified with GCSEs (or equivalent) in English and Maths.
• Experience in education, care, or support roles is welcome.

Responsibilities

• Support learning and development.
• Prepare and assist with engaging activities.
• Provide individualised support.
• Nurture wellbeing.
• Collaborate with colleagues.

Skills

Passionate about supporting children with autism and complex needs

Resilient

Patient

Empathetic

Team player

Adaptable

Positive attitude

Education

GCSEs (or equivalent) in English and Maths

Job description

How would you like to get paid for five days, but only work four?

At Outcomes First Group, we believe in better work / life balance — and we’re putting wellbeing first.

That’s why we’re proud to be part of a 4-Day Working Week (4DWW) trial, where you can work one day less each week (or equivalent hours), while still receiving your full-time pay.

Many of our schools have already introduced the 4DWW — and others are preparing to roll it out as soon as they reach full staffing. So, whether it’s already in place or just around the corner, now’s the perfect time to join #teamOFG.

Job Title: Teaching Assistant

Location: Claystone School, Luton, LU1 4LL

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

Hours: 37.5 hours per week | Monday to Friday | 8:15am - 4:15pm

Contract: Permanent, Term Time Only

Start Date: January 2026

UK Applicants only. This role does not offer sponsorship.

We’re thrilled to be expanding our team at Claystone School, a brand-new Options Autism school in Luton that opened its doors in January 2025. Catering for up to 48 pupils aged 4–11 with Autism Spectrum Condition (ASC) and complex needs, Claystone offers a nurturing, creative, and inclusive environment where every child can flourish.

We’re now looking for dedicated and compassionate Teaching Assistants to help us shape this exciting new chapter — and make a real difference in the lives of our pupils every single day.

About the Role

This is an incredible opportunity to be part of a passionate team from the very beginning, helping to build a positive, supportive school culture where every child feels valued and understood. As a Teaching Assistant, you’ll play a key role in creating engaging, meaningful learning experiences and supporting pupils’ social, emotional, and academic development.

You will:

• Support learning and development – Work closely with pupils to build confidence, communication, and independence.
• Prepare and assist with engaging activities – Help bring lessons to life with creativity and enthusiasm.
• Provide individualised support – Tailor your approach to meet each pupil’s unique needs and goals.
• Nurture wellbeing – Promote a calm, caring, and safe environment where pupils can thrive.
• Collaborate with colleagues – Work closely with teachers, therapists, and fellow support staff to deliver the best possible outcomes.

Every day will be different — but every day, you’ll see the direct impact of your work on children’s confidence, growth, and happiness.

What We're Looking For

• Passionate about supporting children with autism and complex needs
• Resilient, patient, and empathetic, even on challenging days
• Team players, who value collaboration and shared success
• Adaptable and eager to learn, with a positive, can‑do attitude

Qualified with GCSEs (or equivalent) in English and Maths

Experience in education, care, or support roles is welcome — but not essential. We’ll provide full, high-quality training to help you build confidence and thrive in your role.

You’ll be part of a supportive, close-knit team where your work has real impact every day. We value staff wellbeing, professional growth, and celebrating successes — both big and small.

Apply today and help shape brighter futures for every pupil.

About the school

Claystone School is a small, independent school supporting children and young people with Autism Spectrum Condition (ASC), who may also have a range of additional needs. Located in Pepperstock, Luton, the school caters for up to 48 pupils aged 4–11, providing a safe, engaging, and inclusive environment where children with ASC and complex needs can thrive academically, socially, and emotionally.

For over 19 years Options Autism have provided care and education to pupils, young people and adults with autism, complex needs and learning difficulties. We are a leading provider of education for neurodivergent young people and young adults. As part of Outcomes First Group, we are leading our sector in setting and delivering new approaches that provide 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 Options Autism?

We place the outcomes of the pupils and vulnerable young adults 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 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.

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.

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.