Teaching Assistant

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Job Title:  Teaching Assistant
Location:  3 Dimensions School, Chard, Somerset, TA20 3AJ
Hours:      40 hours per week | Monday – Friday | 8.30am - 4.30pm
Salary:      £23,638.00 per annum (not pro rata)
Contract:  Permanent | Term Time Only
Start:        October 2026
UK applicants only – no sponsorship available

About the Role

Are you passionate about making a real difference in the lives of young people? Do you want a role where every day is rewarding, meaningful, and full of opportunities to help pupils succeed?

We're excited to welcome a Teaching Assistant to our friendly and supportive team at 3 Dimensions School, set within the beautiful rural surroundings of Chard, Somerset. As our school continues to grow, this is an exciting opportunity to join a forward-thinking setting that is committed to helping both its pupils and staff thrive.

As a Teaching Assistant, you'll play a vital role in supporting pupils with autism and additional learning needs to achieve their full potential. Working alongside experienced teachers and specialist professionals, you'll help create engaging learning experiences, build positive relationships, and support pupils to develop confidence, independence, and essential life skills.

This is a varied and rewarding role where no two days are the same, but every day offers the chance to make a lasting impact.

What You’ll Do

• Support pupils 1:1 and in small groups, helping them engage with learning and achieve their individual goals.

• Assist teachers with lesson delivery, classroom preparation and engaging learning activities.

• Encourage positive behaviour and emotional wellbeing, providing calm and consistent support.

• Provide pastoral, practical and personal care support where required.

• Help pupils develop confidence, independence, communication and social skills.

• Support learning beyond the classroom through educational visits, outdoor activities and enrichment opportunities.

• Work collaboratively with teachers and specialist teams to support pupils in achieving their EHCP outcomes.

• Help create a safe, nurturing and inclusive environment where every pupil feels supported and able to thrive.

Who We’re Looking For

• GCSEs or equivalent qualifications.

• Experience working within education, care, support work or a similar environment.

• A positive, patient and compassionate approach to supporting young people.

• Strong communication and teamwork skills.

• Confidence supporting pupils who may display behaviours that challenge.

• A flexible and adaptable approach, with the ability to respond to individual pupil needs.

• A Full UK Driving Licence and access to a vehicle.

About Us

3 Dimensions School is a specialist independent school for children and young people aged 7-25 with a range of complex learning, communication, social, emotional and mental health needs. Part of Outcomes First Group, we provide a nurturing, inclusive and highly personalised education that enables every learner to thrive.

Operating across two purposefully designed sites, our primary provision at Chardleigh and secondary/post-16 provision at Hummingbird allow us to offer tailored learning environments that meet students' needs at every stage of their educational journey.

We support learners with a range of profiles, including Autism, ADHD, speech, language and communication needs, SEMH, PDA, attachment difficulties and the impact of trauma. Through our trauma-informed and neurodiversity-affirming approach, we help young people build confidence, resilience, independence and the skills they need for successful futures.

3 Dimensions School has a strong reputation for achieving positive outcomes for students, combining high expectations with individualised support to help young people succeed both academically and personally. Our broad curriculum, therapeutic approaches, vocational pathways and preparation for adulthood programmes ensure that every student has the opportunity to reach their full potential.

We are proud to be a school where relationships come first, strengths are recognised and celebrated, and every young person is supported to achieve their own version of success."

For over 19 years, Options Autism has provided specialist care and education for children, young people, and adults with autism, complex needs, and learning difficulties. As part of Outcomes First Group, we are pioneering innovative, evidence-based approaches that deliver meaningful, measurable outcomes for everyone in our care.

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.

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