Teaching Assistant

Job Title: Teaching Assistant

Salary: up to £18,000 per annum

Location: Maple Grove School, Clare Avenue, Chester, CH2 3HR

Hours: Full-time / Term-time only

Contract: Permanent

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 Maple Grove School in Chester. Someone who is motivated by helping others, patient and resilient would be perfect for this role. 

About the School

Maple Grove School is a new independent ASC provision for up to 36 pupils aged 5-16. The school will be a nurturing and therapeutic environment to meet the needs of the more specialist ASC placements for which there is demand in the North West.

Maple Grove School site is currently going through significant refurbishment and is based in Chester. The red brick school is surrounded by a quiet residential community and has a large, recently resurfaced playground. The accommodation provides a school hall and generously sized classrooms with high ceilings, good natural light and ventilation. This a great opportunity for us to expand our offer in the North West, and complement our current SEMH settings that are struggling to accommodate high numbers of ASC referrals due to their complex nature. 

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 provide Education and Care across a number of schools and residential homes nationally. Our specialist SEN provision, coupled with our expertise within residential care means we offer thousands of vulnerable children and young people across the UK a holistic, wraparound care, residential and education service, empowering them with everything they need to flourish. It is by no accident that 94% of our homes are rated as Outstanding or Good.

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.

Acorn Care and Education is part of the Outcomes First Group. 

About the Role

Are you looking to start a career in education? Do you want to make an invaluable difference to young people with special educational needs? If so, we have an exciting opportunity for a Teaching Assistant to join our supportive environment at Maple Grove School.

As a 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 autism and learning needs. You will be trained to deescalate these situations and put in place pro-active strategies to avoid similar situations in future.

Who we are looking for?

As a dedicated Special Educational Needs school, we require a person who has a clear motivation for working with young people with complex needs. We do not necessarily require you to be experienced as full training and support will be provided. However, you will need to be compassionate, enthusiastic, reliable and resilient. The ideal candidate should work well within a team, be able to organise and plan a workload, communicate effectively and be prepared to work with varying types of difficulties.

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 work for us?

• Opportunity to enrich the lives of young people and make a positive difference
• Be part of a supportive and dedicated team
• Continuous professional development and training
• Internal Promotion
• “Your Wellbeing Matters” – The ability to speak to a councillor for support regarding your mental health.
• Employee Rewards Hub – An app which offers high-street discounts, hints and tips.

Acorn Care and Education are committed to the safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. All successful applicants will be subject to fully Enhanced DBS. We expect all our employees and volunteers to share this commitment and strive to achieve the best possible outcomes for everybody in our care. A full application form must be completed with all employment dates accurate and gaps in employment accounted for.