Teaching Assistant

Acorn Care and Education; Stowmarket; On-site; GBP 18,000 - 23,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading specialist education provider in Stowmarket is seeking a Teaching Assistant at Wetheringsett Manor School. This role focuses on supporting students with special educational needs, promoting their literacy, numeracy, and social skills. The position offers a competitive salary and the innovative benefit of a 4-day working week, providing a better work-life balance. The successful applicant will work closely with teachers and contribute positively to the educational environment.

Benefits

Life Assurance

Pension scheme

Mental health support

Flexible Benefits Platform

Cycle to Work Scheme

Enhanced maternity/paternity leave

Qualifications

• Experience supporting students with special educational needs is highly desirable.
• Ability to maintain a calm and encouraging classroom atmosphere.
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work collaboratively with educators.

Responsibilities

• Support pupils individually and in groups, aiding their development.
• Assist with lesson planning and engaging learning activities.
• Supervise pupils during breaks and maintain behaviour management.

Skills

Literacy support

Numeracy support

Communication skills

Social skills development

Behaviour management

Job description

Teaching Assistant

Location: Wetheringsett Manor, Suffolk, IP14 5QX

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

Hours: 37.5 hours per week | Monday to Friday | 8.15am to 3.45pm

Contract: Permanent, Term Time Only

Start date: February 2026

UK applicants only – no sponsorship available

Get Paid for 5 Days, Work Just 4

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, giving you 80% of your contractual hours for 100% of your 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!

About the Role

As a Teaching Assistant, you’ll play a vital role in helping our pupils thrive. This is more than a support role — it’s your chance to make a real, lasting difference in the lives of young people.

Responsibilities

• Support pupils individually and in groups, helping them develop literacy, numeracy, communication, and social skills
• Assist with planning and delivering engaging lessons and learning activities
• Implement positive behaviour strategies and maintain a calm, encouraging classroom atmosphere
• Prepare classroom resources and support enriching trips and school activities
• Maintain accurate records of pupil progress and behaviour
• Work closely with teachers, therapy staff, and pastoral teams
• Supervise pupils during break and lunch periods

About the School

Wetheringsett Manor School is a new independent day SEMH School for up to 100 pupils aged 7-18. Our dedicated team work together to ensure successful outcomes for pupils who often arrive at the school with a troubled view of education and life.

Wetheringsett Manor School has gone through significant refurbishment and is based in Suffolk, East Anglia and opened to pupils in November 2020. The Manor House is located in 17 acres of parkland with wooded boundaries and sits on the edge of the village of Wetheringsett. The accommodation also provides several other buildings including a converted stable block, a cottage and two industrial units.

We pride ourselves in steering pupils in the right direction, nurturing aspiration to progress them both academically and socially to encourage them to take pride in their achievements. Socially, we build confidence in our students, so they are able to have a greater understanding of the wider community in which they live.

We offer a wide range of opportunities to develop your career while taking on rewarding challenges. Acorn Education is a leading UK provider of specialist education for children and young people with special educational needs. As part of Outcomes First Group, we are at the forefront of creating and delivering innovative approaches that support children and young people in our care to make meaningful progress

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 Acorn Education?

We put pupil outcomes at the heart of everything we do, so every day you’ll know your work is making a meaningful impact.

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 contributions
• “Your Wellbeing Matters” – mental health support and physical health checks
• Flexible Benefits Platform, Vista: 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.

*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.