Higher Level 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: Higher Level Teaching Assistant

Location: Acorn Park School, Norwich

Salary:   £22,210.80 per annum

Hours:   37.5 hours per week, Monday to Friday, 8:30 - 4:30

Contract: Permanent, Term Time Only

 UK applicants only. This role does not offer sponsorship.

***Join us today to receive a £2000 Welcome Bonus. *£1000 paid once you have successfully completed 3 months of your employment, and £1000 after successful completion of final probation – there has never been a better time to join us’* T&Cs apply! * 

As part of our continued growth, we now have a fantastic opportunity for a Higher Level Teaching Assistant to join our close-knit team at Acorn Park School located in Norwich.

Job Purpose:

In conjunction with Senior Management to:

• Work throughout the Education Department, using specialist knowledge and experience to support the Class Teachers to ensure the entitlement of the students to a broad-based appropriate curriculum which meets their discrete needs and learning styles.
• Manage a team of learning support assistants on a day-to-day basis. Ensure that learning support assistants are fully up to date with curriculum developments on a school basis.
• Work with teachers in delivering agreed learning activities under an arranged system of supervision
• Support collaborative working with the residential department ensuring effective communication between adults and opportunities to maximise and generalise learning for all students including supporting the students in their morning routines ready for school

Support for the students

• To carry out all duties as directed by the class teacher/ Head (Education) teacher to maximise learning opportunities for all students.
• To support the development of communication skills by implementing communication goals in collaboration with Education, Therapy Team and Residential staff.
• To set targets, keep records, assess and evaluate students’ learning with support from other professionals.
• To participate in, and complete reports for statutory reviews and meetings concerning the students.
• Administer medication as specified from leading professionals

About us

Acorn Park is a school for 160 pupils, who all have a primary diagnosis of Autism. We run two curriculum pathways – Formal and Semi-formal. Our Complex needs pupils are on the Semi-Formal Pathway which is highly personalised from their EHCP. We have a mixture of Day and Residential pupils as we have 8 co-located pupil’s homes on our 30 Acre site in rural Norfolk. On site, we also have a large Forest School and Animal Care Farm along with play facilities, a sports hall and sensory rooms.

For over 16 years Options Autism have provided care and education to pupils, young people and adults with autism, complex needs and learning difficulties. 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 Options Autism?

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 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 the safeguarding and promoting the welfare of pupils and young people. All successful applicants will be subject to a fully enhanced DBS and social media check.

*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.