Teaching Assistant

Hillingdon Manor School; Whittington; On-site; GBP 20,000 - 24,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Life Assurance

Pension scheme

Health benefits

Flexible Benefits Platform (Vista)

Job summary

Bluebank School in Derbyshire is recruiting a SEND Teaching Assistant to support pupils with SEMH needs and to help them build confidence and achieve goals. You’ll work with an experienced team, gain valuable skills, and have the chance to develop a career where you can make a real difference every day.

You’ll provide 1:1 and small-group support, assist with planning, assessments, and creating autism-friendly learning environments, while following safeguarding policies.

Qualifications

• Caring and patient attitude with a positive approach.
• Adaptable and resilient, able to respond calmly to different situations.
• Confident communicator who can build strong relationships.
• Enthusiastic about learning and developing their own skills.
• Team player who collaborates well with others.

Responsibilities

• Provide 1:1 and small-group support to help pupils engage with learning and reach their goals.
• Support class teachers in delivering high-quality education and in autism-friendly learning environments.
• Assist with planning, risk assessments, and the creation of student documentation (IEPs, BSPs).
• Help manage behaviour and promote pupil development toward self-control.
• Prepare teaching resources and maintain learning materials and equipment.

Skills

Caring

Patience

Communication

Teamwork

Adaptable

Positive attitude

Driving licence

Job description

Enter your postcode, then select the range below

• Range

Teaching Assistant

Bluebank School

• Whittington Moor
• Permanent

Salary: £22,160.62 per annum

Hours: 37.5 hours per week, Monday to Friday

At OFG we give you time to enjoy those special moments and hobbies outside of work

Job Title: Teaching Assistant
Location: Bluebank School, Whittington Moor, Derbyshire, S41 8LQ
Hours: 37.5 hours per week | Monday–Friday | 8.30am - 4.00pm
Salary: £22,160.62 per annum (not pro rata)
Contract: Permanent | Term Time Only
Start:September 2026
UK applicants only – no sponsorship available

About the Role

As a SEND Teaching Assistant, you’ll play a hugely rewarding role in helping children and young people build confidence, discover their strengths and achieve things they may not have thought possible.

You don’t need to have all the answers, just the right attitude. If you’re caring, patient, resilient and ready to learn, we’ll support you every step of the way. You’ll work alongside an experienced team, gain valuable skills and have the opportunity to build a career where you can make a genuine difference every day.

Every day will be different. From supporting learning in the classroom and getting involved in outdoor activities, to encouraging communication, building independence and helping pupils navigate challenges, you’ll be there to celebrate the big wins and the small victories that matter.

If you’re ready to make a difference, grow your skills and be part of a team that changes lives, we’d love to hear from you.

What you will be doing

• Provide 1:1 and small-group support to help pupils engage with learning and reach their individual goals.
• Support class teachers and tutors in delivering high‑quality education, implementing all relevant policies, and creating a structured, autism‑appropriate learning environment.
• Assist with planning, risk assessments, and the creation, updating, and evaluation of student documentation including IEPs, BSPs, risk assessments, and communication profiles.
• Help manage challenging behaviour using consistent strategies that promote students’ development from external control to self‑control.
• Contribute to the preparation of teaching resources, classroom organisation, and the effective use and maintenance of equipment and learning materials.
• Work collaboratively with teaching, care, and multi‑professional teams, maintaining strong communication to ensure a consistent approach between school, home, and other departments.
• Maintain accurate records, follow all safeguarding, behaviour, and health & safety policies, and engage in ongoing training, meetings, and professional development.

About you

You could already have experience working in education, care, youth work or support or you may simply have theright attitude and a genuine passion for helping young people.

• Caring, patient and compassionate, with a positive approach.
• Adaptable and resilient, able to respond calmly to different situations.
• A confident communicator who can build strong relationships.
• Enthusiastic about learning and developing their own skills.
• A team player who enjoys working collaboratively.
• Ready to bring energy, encouragement and positivity to every day.
• Driving licence is required

About Bluebank School

Bluebank School is an Acorn Education school in Chesterfield, providing specialist education for pupils aged 11 to 16 with social, emotional and mental health (SEMH) needs and other complex learning needs. We are committed to creating a safe, nurturing and inclusive environment where every pupil feels valued, supported and encouraged to achieve their full potential.

With small class sizes, personalised learning programmes and a highly supportive approach, we help pupils develop the academic, social and life skills they need to succeed. Our tailored curriculum combines National Curriculum learning with a strong focus on emotional wellbeing, resilience, communication and independence.

At Bluebank School, we believe that every child deserves the opportunity to thrive. We celebrate individuality, build confidence and empower pupils to overcome challenges, recognise their strengths and achieve meaningful success. Guided by our ethos that everybody is somebody, we work together to ensure every young person feels respected, included and ready for their future.

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?

We place pupils and vulnerable young adults at the heart of everything we do, so every day brings the satisfaction of making a real difference.We are committed to the 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.

• 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.

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

Salary: Up to £45,000.00 per annum (depending on experience)

Hours: 37.5 hours per week, Monday to Friday

Hours: 37.5 hours per week, Monday - Friday

Hours: 37.5 hours per week, Monday to Friday

With amazing teams working across our family of brands – Acorn Education, Options Autism, Momenta Connect and Blenheim Schools– we offer a huge range of exciting career opportunities.Take a closer look and discover how fulfilling your career could be.

Meeting the social and emotional needs of pupils who have faced trauma or adversity, equipping them for life’s important steps.

Supporting autistic pupils to value their uniqueness and access the world in their own way.

At Momenta Connect we support young people to overcome barriers and engage with education.

We are committed to enabling outstanding futures for all children through a portfolio of inclusive, high‑quality independent and international schools.