Teaching Assistant

How would you like to be paid for five days but only work four*?

Our colleagues’ wellbeing is at the heart of everything we do at OFG, so we’re always looking for new ways to improve everyone’s work/life balance. We’re taking part in a trial of the 4-Day Working Week, meaning that you could be working one day less a week (or equivalent).

If the trial is a success, we’ll be rolling the 4DWW out across the Group – so there’s never been a more exciting time to join #teamOFG!

Job title:         1:1 Teaching Assistant

Location:         Wetheringsett Manor, Suffolk

Salary:            £17,561.25 per annum

Hours:       37.5 hours per week; Monday to Friday

Contract:         Permanent, Term Time only

If you really want to make your mark in a rapidly growing business that is committed to improving the lives of children and young people, we have the role for you!

We’re looking for a Teaching Assistant to join our team at Wetheringsett Manor School. Someone who is motivated by helping others, patient and resilient would be perfect for this role.

About the School

Wetheringsett Manor School is a new independent day SEMH School for up to 42 pupils aged 11-18. Our dedicated team work together to ensure successful outcomes for pupils who often arrive at the school with a troubled view of education and life.

Wetheringsett Manor School has gone through significant refurbishment and is based in Suffolk, East Anglia and opened to pupils in November 2020. The Manor House is located in 17 acres of parkland with wooded boundaries and sits on the edge of the village of Wetheringsett. The accommodation also provides several other buildings including a converted stable block, a cottage and two industrial units.

We pride ourselves in steering children in the right direction, nurturing aspiration to progress them both academically and socially to encourage them to take pride in their achievements. Socially, we build confidence in our students so they are able to have a greater understanding of the wider community in which they live.

About the Group

We are part of Acorn Care and Education and can promise you plenty of challenges, and a rich variety of opportunities to develop your career.

We welcome staff who share our commitment to help children experience better days and better lives. Through ongoing development and training, we ensure our staff are well prepared for their jobs and given every opportunity to extend their skills.

About the Role

This role is working directly with a young person offsite for 3 days of the week with the other day onsite at Wetheringsett. This will involve helping tutor them with a life skills program, assist in basic English and Maths development and also support at a work experience provider. A school vehicle will be provided.

As a school we are pioneering the 4-day working week to benefit staff health and emotional wellbeing. This allows staff to have an allocated days rest per week whilst not implying any contractual change to working conditions.

As a Teaching Assistant (TA), you will be responsible for safeguarding the young people and making sure they are healthy, safe and as comfortable as possible. You will assist in their learning by offering companionship and support, whilst ensuring their physical, mental and emotional needs are met. You will be required to prepare learning materials under the supervision of the teachers and to participate in learning activities. The TA will also be required to liaise with parents and staff with regards to the wellbeing of the young people.

This role involves working with young people who have complex behaviour associated with their learning needs. You will be trained to deescalate these situations and put in place pro-active strategies to avoid similar situations in future.

Key responsibilities

• Provide a safe, caring and healthy environment where the children can thrive and develop their independence
• Promote and celebrate diversity
• Safeguard all children and support them with their individual and personal needs
• Support and facilitate the learning of students
• To follow school policy and procedures for recording and reporting

Please see the Job description for further responsibilities.

Why join Acorn Education & Care?

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

And that’s not all, we place the outcomes of the children 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 the safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. All successful applicants will be subject to a fully enhanced DBS.

*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.