Teaching Assistant

Meadowcroft School; Wakefield; On-site; GBP 25,000 - 35,000; Full time

Job summary

A specialist independent day school in Wakefield is seeking a dedicated support staff member to provide personalized assistance to students with complex learning needs. Responsibilities will involve collaborating with teachers, implementing individualized plans, and ensuring a conducive learning environment for students with autism. Ideal candidates will have experience in special education and strong communication skills. This role offers a rewarding opportunity to positively impact young lives.

Benefits

Life Assurance

Pension scheme with contribution options

Access to mental health support services

Discount options for various services

Cycle to Work Schemes

Electric Car Purchase Scheme

Critical illness cover

Enhanced maternity and paternity leave

Qualifications

• Experience with autism spectrum disorder is essential.
• Ability to implement education policies and contribute to student support plans.
• Commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children.

Responsibilities

• Support delivery of high-quality education for all students.
• Assist with individualized education plans and risk assessments.
• Conduct classroom organization and create a stimulating learning environment.

Skills

Experience supporting students with special educational needs

Strong communication skills

Teamwork

Organisational skills

Patience

Adaptability

Proactive approach

Job description

About the role

You will provide hands‑on, personalised support to students with complex learning needs, helping to deliver lessons, implement individual plans, and create an inclusive and engaging learning environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Support the class teacher / tutor to ensure the delivery of high‑quality education for all students
• Assist with the implementation of relevant education policies and procedures
• Provide individual or group support to enable students to access the curriculum as independently as possible
• Promote students’ physical, educational, and moral development in line with company policies
• Ensure equipment and resources are used, stored, and maintained efficiently, reporting any maintenance issues
• Support classroom organisation, resources, student groupings, and displays to create a stimulating learning environment suitable for students with autism spectrum disorder
• Assist in writing, updating, implementing, and evaluating student documentation, including Behaviour Support Profiles (BSP), Individual Risk Assessments, Individual Education Plans, Communication Profiles, and Pastoral Support Plans
• Collaborate with the class teacher / tutor to plan activities and ensure student safety on and off‑site in line with risk assessments
• Produce teaching aids and resources as requested by the class teacher / tutor
• Contribute positively as a member of the school’s multi‑professional team, fostering good working relationships with colleagues

About You

• Experience supporting students with special educational needs, particularly those with autism spectrum disorder
• Strong communication, teamwork, and organisational skills
• Patience, adaptability, and a proactive approach
• Commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children

About Us

Meadowcroft is an independent specialist day school for pupils aged from 5 to 19, catering for pupils with a wide range of needs across 4 sites in Wakefield. Our dedicated team work together to ensure successful outcomes for pupils.

We are part of Acorn Education and can promise you plenty of challenges and a rich variety 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.

In 2024, Outcomes First Group were officially certified as a ‘Great Place to Work’ for the fifth year running.

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
• 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.

And that’s not all, 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.

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.