Teaching Assistant

Groveside School; Reading; On-site; GBP 21,000; Full time

Job summary

A new special educational needs school in Reading is seeking a dedicated Teaching Assistant to provide 1:1 and group support for pupils with social, emotional, and mental health needs. The role involves preparing learning materials and promoting positive behaviour. Candidates should have GCSEs in Maths and English and a passion for helping young people succeed. Benefits include life assurance, a pension scheme, and access to mental health support.

Benefits

Life Assurance

Pension scheme

Mental health support services

Cycle to Work Schemes

Qualifications

• Passionate about helping young people with additional needs flourish.
• Calm and resilient in challenging situations.
• Strong communication skills to work with a team.

Responsibilities

• Provide targeted support to pupils with SEMH needs.
• Deliver 1:1 support to pupils with complex needs.
• Prepare engaging learning materials.

Skills

Working with young people with additional needs

Compassion

Team collaboration

Adaptability

Education

GCSEs in Maths and English (Grade C/4 or above)

Job description

Overview

Job title: Teaching Assistant
Location: Groveside School, Reading, Berkshire, RG2 7AY
Salary: £20,906.25 per annum (Not pro rata)
Hours: 37.5 hours per week | Monday to Friday
Contract: Permanent, Term Time only
Start Date: December 2025
UK Applicants only. This role does not offer sponsorship.

About the role

As a Teaching Assistant at Groveside, you will provide targeted support to pupils with Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH) needs, both in group settings and through 1:1 support. You will play a vital role in helping pupils overcome challenges, engage with learning, and build confidence in a safe and structured environment.

• Deliver 1:1 support to pupils with complex needs, building trusting relationships and providing consistent encouragement
• Assist with small group sessions and classroom activities
• Help prepare engaging and differentiated learning materials
• Promote positive behaviour, independence, and emotional wellbeing
• Support pupils during outdoor learning and enrichment activities, both on-site and off-site
• Work closely with teachers and other professionals to adapt approaches and monitor progress
• Whether in the classroom, outside on the school grounds, or supporting local community visits, help pupils achieve real and lasting progress

Who we are looking for

• Passionate about helping young people with additional needs flourish
• Compassionate, calm, and resilient in challenging situations
• Comfortable working in 1:1 support roles as well as group settings
• Adaptable and ready to support pupils both indoors and outdoors
• A strong team player who values communication, collaboration, and mutual support
• Qualified with GCSEs in Maths and English (Grade C/4 or above) - essential for this role

About the school

Groveside School is a Brand-New Special Educational Needs School for Pupils 7 - 16 years old with Social, Emotional and Mental Health Needs. Our school opened in September 2024 and will cater for 60 pupils. To the ideal candidate, Groveside School offers opportunities including strong induction, collaborative professional development, and career development within a supportive environment.

About Outcomes First Group / Acorn Education

Acorn Education is the UK's leading independent provider of specialist education for pupils and young people. As part of Outcomes First Group, we lead our sector in setting and delivering new approaches that provide measurable outcomes for those in our care. In 2024, Outcomes First Group were officially certified as a Great Place to Work for the fifth year running. We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of pupils and young people. All applicants are 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 receive a strong reward package including:

• Life Assurance
• Pension scheme with options to increase your contributions
• "Your Wellbeing Matters" – access to mental health support services and physical health checks
• Flexible Benefits Platform, Vista, offering a range of health, wellbeing, and insurance benefits, 100s of discounts in the UK and abroad
• Cycle to Work Schemes
• Electric Car Purchase Scheme
• Critical illness cover
• Family Growth Support – 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.

Note: 4DWW information – You may work one day less each week (or equivalent hours) while receiving full-time pay. 4DWW is subject to successful completion of probation and is not a contractual benefit.