Teaching Assistant

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 .

Role: Teaching Assistant
Location: Wessex Lodge School, Frome, Somerset BA11 4LA
Salary: £22,160.62 per annum ( not pro rata )
Hours: 37.5 hours per week Monday to Friday
Contract: Permanent Term Time Only
Start: November 2025
Eligibility: UK applicants only. This role does not offer sponsorship.

We now have a fantastic opportunity for a Teaching Assistant to join our close-knit team at Wessex Lodge School. Join us in creating supportive, nurturing environments where our pupils achieve far more than they ever imagined.

About the Role

Enjoy a rewarding career in education and make a real difference to the lives of our pupils. As a Teaching Assistant, you'll work directly with our brilliant young people, helping them get the very best from their education.

Each pupil has individual strengths and complex needs - and with your support, they'll be guided through personalised learning journeys that help them thrive. You'll assist in preparing learning materials, running classroom activities, and providing hands-on support to ensure pupils' emotional, social, and academic growth.

Every day will bring new experiences, and you'll have the full support of a dedicated, experienced team - with ongoing guidance and development opportunities to help you grow your career.

Additional Opportunities

We offer exciting opportunities for additional paid responsibilities across a range of areas, including Outdoor Education, Farm, Horticulture, and Forest School. These roles give you the chance to expand your skills, lead creative projects, and make an even bigger impact on pupils' learning and wellbeing.

We actively encourage creativity, enthusiasm, and initiative - helping you contribute to a rich and engaging school community.

Who We're Looking For

You'll be adaptable and ready to work across a variety of classroom and outdoor settings, responding to pupils' individual needs. A caring, proactive approach is essential - whether you're supporting in lessons, leading activities, or accompanying pupils on trips and excursions.

Our school thrives on teamwork, collaboration, and mutual respect, and we're looking for someone who shares those values.

Qualifications & Requirements

• English and Maths GCSE (essential)
• TA qualification (desirable)
• Full UK Driving Licence (essential)

At Wessex Lodge School, you'll join a passionate team dedicated to high-quality education, personal development, and wellbeing - making a genuine difference in every pupil's life.

About Us

Wessex Lodge School currently comprises of three sites: Wessex Lodge Primary School located in Kilmington, Wessex Lodge Secondary School located in Frome, and Newmead Farm, located in Maiden Bradley. All sites allow students the opportunity to explore the curriculum alongside a range of subject paths, including the likes of, animal care, horticulture, DT, and forest school, as well as sporting activities.

Our students are aged between 6 and 18 years old. Each student has individual needs and, supported by the THRIVE approach, through a proven range of practitioner-led services and our talented staff, we can help to improve life outcomes for every student.

The established staff team come from a variety of previous occupations and have a vast range of individual skills, which can be utilised, within this school. So, if you have an interest and/or qualifications in animal care, horticulture, construction, outdoor education, forestry or any other specific trade or hobby, we would love to hear from you!

Acorn Education is the UK's leading independent provider of specialist education. 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 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

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.