Teaching Assistant

The Shires - Stretton; Stretton; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A supportive school in the UK is looking for a passionate Teaching Assistant to help young people with autism through personalised support and innovative learning experiences. The role involves collaboration with teachers and families to foster a positive environment for growth. Candidates should be compassionate, patient, and motivated, with qualifications in English and Maths. Benefits include life assurance and a flexible benefits platform to tailor packages to suit individual needs.

Benefits

Life Assurance

Pension scheme

Mental health support services

Flexible benefits package

Qualifications

• Committed to supporting young people with autism and additional needs.
• Interested in education, care, or support settings.
• Motivated to make a genuine impact.

Responsibilities

• Provide personalised support in line with pupils’ Education, Health, and Care Plans.
• Help pupils build vital communication, social, and life skills.
• Assist teachers in delivering high-quality learning experiences.

Skills

Compassion

Patience

Communication skills

Resilience

Education

Qualified in English and Maths at Grade C / 4 or above

Tools

Full UK Driving Licence

Job description

– this role does not offer sponsorship

Are you ready to make a real difference in the lives of young people? As part of our exciting growth, Stretton Shires School is seeking a passionate Teaching Assistant to join our warm, dedicated, and supportive team.

Here, every day brings new opportunities to help pupils develop confidence, independence, and the skills they need to thrive—both inside the classroom and beyond.

Overview

About the Role

As a Teaching Assistant, you’ll be at the heart of our mission to help every young person achieve their full potential. Your role will be varied, hands-on, and deeply rewarding — no two days are ever the same!

Responsibilities

• Provide personalised support in line with each pupil’s Education, Health, and Care Plan (EHCP)
• Help pupils build vital communication, social, and life skills
• Assist teachers in delivering creative, high-quality learning experiences
• Collaborate with teachers, therapists, and families to ensure every child’s success
• Create a safe, inclusive, and positive environment where every learner can flourish
• Keep accurate records and contribute to planning and progress reviews
• Support personal care for pupils as required

Who We’re Looking For

• Compassionate, patient, and deeply committed to supporting young people with autism and additional needs
• Resilient, proactive, and ready to take on new challenges in a rewarding environment
• Interested in (or experienced with) autism and Special Educational Needs (SEN)
• Ideally experienced in education, care, or support settings, though full training will be provided
• Qualified in English and Maths at Grade C / 4 or above (or equivalent)
• Motivated to make a genuine impact and grow within a supportive team
• Holder of a Full UK Driving Licence

About us

Set in the heart of the Rutland countryside, Stretton Shires School is an independent day and residential school catering for autistic young people, and those with associated needs, offering specialist secondary education for pupils aged 11 – 18.

Established in 2005 as a residential home and school, we are currently growing our day pupil numbers, meaning we constantly need to recruit passionate and dedicated staff to support our growth aspirations.

Our aim for the young people coming to Stretton Shires is quite simple; we want every young person to progress developmentally, educationally and socially. We want them to develop an understanding of themselves and to experience what success feels like. Through these actions, we can equip every young person with the skills and knowledge they need to go on to succeed.

For over 19 years Options Autism have provided care and education to pupils, young people and adults with autism, complex needs and learning difficulties. As part of Outcomes First Group, we are leading our sector in setting and delivering new approaches that provide measurable outcomes for those in our care.

We are really proud to say that in 2024, Outcomes First Group were officially certified as a ‘Great Place to Work’ for the fifth year running.

Why join Options Autism?

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

Your health and wellbeing are important to us, so you’ll get an exceptional reward package including :

• 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

And 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

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