Teaching Assistant

Momenta Connect; Reading; On-site; GBP 20,000 - 24,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Life Assurance

Pension scheme

Wellbeing support

Flexible Benefits Platform (Vista)

Job summary

Groveside School in Reading is seeking a caring Teaching Assistant to support pupils, including those with Autism Spectrum Condition and additional needs, helping them access learning and build independence.

You will work with teachers, therapists and a multidisciplinary team to create a safe, engaging learning environment, with a strong induction and ongoing professional development.

Qualifications

• Experience with autism or additional needs and supporting pupils with ASC in an educational setting.
• Calm, patient and resilient with a positive approach.
• Excellent communicator and effective in team settings.
• Adaptable, proactive and eager to learn and develop professionally.
• Committed to safeguarding and promoting welfare of children and young people.

Responsibilities

• Provide one-to-one or small group support to help pupils access learning and achieve goals.
• Deliver engaging, personalised learning experiences under the guidance of teachers.
• Support pupils' communication, emotional wellbeing, independence and social development.
• Build trusting relationships to create a safe, encouraging learning environment.
• Assist with planning and implementing IEPs, BSPs and personalised learning strategies.
• Promote positive behaviour using nurturing approaches and consistent routines.
• Prepare learning resources and help create stimulating classroom 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.

Skills

Patience

Caring

Communication

Teamwork

Adaptable

Safeguarding

Job description

Teaching Assistant

Groveside School

Location: Groveside School, Reading, RG2 7AY

Contract: Permanent | Term Time Only

Hours: 37.5 hours per week, Monday - Friday

Salary: £22,160.62 per annum

Start: September 2026

Closing date: Tuesday, 15th September 2026

UK applicants only – no sponsorship available

At OFG we allow for greater work life balance and extra time to do the things you love outside work

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

• 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

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.

A great company to work for

Wherever you work – whether in a city location or one of our more rural settings – you’ll be part of one dynamic family, aiming high and dreaming big, and helping the people we work with achieve their own personal goals.