Teaching Assistant

Outcomes First Group; Reading; On-site; GBP 19,000 - 25,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Life Assurance

Pension scheme

Your Wellbeing Matters

Flexible Benefits Platform (Vista)

Discounts

Cycle to Work Scheme

Critical illness cover

Family Growth Support

Job summary

Groveside School in Reading is seeking a caring Teaching Assistant to support children and young people with Autism Spectrum Condition and additional needs. You will work closely with teachers, therapists and a multidisciplinary team to create a safe, engaging learning environment where every pupil can thrive.

The role offers a permanent contract with term-time considerations, 37.5 hours per week, and a salary of £22,160.62 per year (not pro rata).

Qualifications

• Experience working with children or adults with Autism or additional needs is desirable but not essential.
• Caring, patient and resilient with a calm and positive approach.
• Excellent communicator and able to work as part of a supportive team.
• Committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people.

Responsibilities

• Support pupils one-to-one, in small groups and in the classroom to access learning and achieve individual goals.
• Deliver engaging, personalised learning experiences alongside teachers.
• Encourage pupils’ communication, emotional wellbeing, independence and social development.
• Build positive, trusting relationships to help pupils feel safe, supported and ready to learn.
• Support the development and implementation of IEPs, BSPs, Communication Profiles and personalised learning strategies.
• Promote positive behaviour using restorative approaches.
• Prepare learning resources and help create stimulating, structured learning environments.
• Collaborate with teachers, therapists, families and the multidisciplinary team to achieve the best outcomes.
• Support educational visits and wider school life as required.
• Safeguard and promote the welfare of all children and young people.

Job description

Full Job Description

Job Title: Teaching Assistant

Location: Groveside School, Reading, RG2 7AY

Hours: 37.5 hours per week | Monday – Friday

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

Contract: Permanent | Term Time Only

Start: September 2026

UK applicants only – no sponsorship available

About the Role

Are you looking for a career where every day brings the opportunity to make a genuine difference?At Groveside School, we’re looking for a caring, enthusiastic and resilient Teaching Assistant to join our dedicated team. You’ll support children and young people with Autism Spectrum Condition (ASC) and additional needs, helping them build confidence, develop independence and achieve more than they ever thought possible.This is much more than a classroom support role. You’ll become a trusted role model, celebrating every achievement, encouraging pupils to overcome challenges and helping them thrive both in and out of the classroom. Working alongside experienced teachers, therapists and a supportive multidisciplinary team, you’ll help create a safe, engaging and nurturing learning environment where every pupil feels valued, understood and empowered to succeed.Whether you already have experience in specialist education or are bringing transferable skills from care, youth work or support work, we’ll provide the training and support to help you build a rewarding career.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Support pupils on a one-to-one basis, in small groups and within the classroom to help them access learning and achieve their individual goals.
• Work alongside teachers to deliver engaging, personalised learning experiences that inspire confidence and curiosity.
• Encourage pupils’ communication, emotional wellbeing, independence and social development.
• Build positive, trusting relationships that help pupils feel safe, supported and ready to learn.
• Support the development and implementation of Individual Education Plans (IEPs), Behaviour Support Plans (BSPs), Communication Profiles and personalised learning strategies.
• Promote positive behaviour using consistent, nurturing and restorative approaches.
• Prepare learning resources and help create stimulating, structured learning environments.
• Work collaboratively with teachers, therapists, families and the wider multidisciplinary team to achieve the very best outcomes for every pupil.
• Support educational visits, enrichment activities and wider school life where required.
• Safeguard and promote the welfare of all children and young people.

What you will bring

• Is passionate about helping children and young people with Autism and additional needs achieve their full potential.
• Is caring, patient and resilient, with a calm and positive approach.
• Can build strong, trusting relationships with pupils, colleagues and families.
• Is an excellent communicator and enjoys working as part of a supportive team.
• Is adaptable, proactive and eager to learn and develop professionally.
• Has experience working with children or adults with Autism or additional needs (desirable, but not essential).
• Is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people.

About Us

Groveside School is a 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 the following opportunities:

• To work in a school that is passionate about all achievement for all pupils.
• To work with fantastic pupils who enjoy a dynamic and engaging curriculum.
• To begin your journey with a strong induction programme tailored to your experience and needs.
• To engage collaboratively within a very supportive environment where professional development is an essential aspect of our daily practice.
• To develop your career.
• To be committed to creating exceptional pupil experiences and learning for all.

Acorn Education offers rewarding careers and meaningful challenges while making a real difference in young people’s lives. As a leading UK provider of specialist education for children and young people with special educational needs, and part of Outcomes First Group, we deliver innovative, evidence-based approaches that support measurable progress and lasting impact. 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.

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.

• 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