Teaching Assistant

Acorn Care and Education; Southampton; On-site; GBP 23,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading education provider in Southampton seeks a Teaching Assistant to support pupils' academic and personal development. This role involves guiding learning, preparing materials, and fostering emotional growth. Enjoy a unique 4-Day Working Week trial to enhance your work/life balance and contribute positively to the lives of students with diverse needs. A caring and adaptable approach is essential.

Benefits

Life Assurance

Pension scheme

Mental health support

Flexible benefits platform

Discount options

Cycle to Work Schemes

Electric Car Purchase Scheme

Qualifications

• Experience with pupils with diverse needs.
• Confidence in various educational settings, including outdoor activities.
• Ability to support emotional and social development.

Responsibilities

• Guide pupils' learning and development.
• Prepare and lead tailored learning activities.
• Assist in delivering engaging lessons.

Skills

Caring approach

Adaptability

Creativity

Team player

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 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

• 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 are leading our sector in creating and delivering innovative approaches that achieve measurable outcomes for those in our care.

Why join Acorn Education?

• 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 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

• 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
• 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.

We reserve the right to close the vacancy early if we receive a high volume of suitable applications.

*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.