SEN 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 .

Job title: SEN Teaching Assistant

Location: Westbourne School, Sutton in Ashfield, NG17 2EL

Hours: 37.5 hours per week Monday to Friday 8.30am-4.00pm

Salary: £20,906.25 per annum ( not pro rata )

Contract: Fixed Term (Maternity Cover), Term Time only

Start Date: November 2025

UK Applicants only. This role does not offer sponsorship.

As part of our continued growth, we are excited to offer a fantastic opportunity for an SEN Teaching Assistant (Maternity Cover) to join our close-knit team at Westbourne School, part of Acorn Education.

About the Role

We are seeking a compassionate and enthusiastic SEN Teaching Assistant to support our students in developing essential skills, achieving personal growth, and thriving in a safe, inclusive, and nurturing learning environment. This is more than a support role - it's a chance to make a genuine, lasting difference in the lives of our pupils.

In this role, you will work alongside teachers to support pupils both individually and in groups, helping them build confidence in literacy, numeracy, communication, and social skills. You will play an active part in implementing positive behaviour strategies, fostering a calm and encouraging classroom atmosphere, and helping students feel secure, understood, and motivated.

You'll also assist with preparing engaging classroom materials, organising enriching school trips and activities, and supporting reading and learning programmes aimed at raising standards across the school. Additional responsibilities include maintaining accurate records of pupil progress and behaviour, collaborating with teaching, therapy, and pastoral staff, and supervising pupils during break and lunch periods.

Westbourne School is a welcoming and supportive team, and we encourage you to apply if you are passionate about making a real difference in the lives of young people. Come join us and help shape the future of our pupils!

About Us

Westbourne School caters for pupils aged 11-18 and we are growing to 85 pupils across two sites. You will be responsible for planning and delivering various subjects across the curriculum. Differentiation and individualised learning strategies are vital skills required to meet the needs of all our pupils who will have had varying degrees of success in their educational lives.

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.

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.

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