Teaching Assistant

Teaching Assistant
Location: Claystone School, Luton, LU1 4LL
Salary:     £22,160.62 per annum (not pro rata)
Hours:     37.5 hours per week | Monday to Friday | 8:15am - 4:15pm
Contract: Permanent, Term Time Only
Start:        February 2026

About the Role

This is an incredible opportunity to be part of a passionate team from the very beginning, helping to build a positive, supportive school culture where every child feels valued and understood. As a Teaching Assistant, you’ll play a key role in creating engaging, meaningful learning experiences and supporting pupils’ social, emotional, and academic development.

You will:

• Support learning and development – Work closely with pupils to build confidence, communication, and independence.

• Prepare and assist with engaging activities – Help bring lessons to life with creativity and enthusiasm.

• Provide individualised support – Tailor your approach to meet each pupil’s unique needs and goals.

• Nurture wellbeing – Promote a calm, caring, and safe environment where pupils can thrive.

• Collaborate with colleagues – Work closely with teachers, therapists, and fellow support staff to deliver the best possible outcomes.

Every day will be different — but every day, you’ll see the direct impact of your work on children’s confidence, growth, and happiness.

What We're Looking For

We’re seeking individuals who are:

• Passionate about supporting children with autism and complex needs

• Resilient, patient, and empathetic, even on challenging days

• Team players, who value collaboration and shared success

• Adaptable and eager to learn, with a positive, can-do attitude

• Qualified with GCSEs (or equivalent) in English and Maths

Experience in education, care, or support roles is welcome — but not essential. We’ll provide full, high-quality training to help you build confidence and thrive in your role.

You’ll be part of a supportive, close-knit team where your work has real impact every day. We value staff wellbeing, professional growth, and celebrating successes — both big and small.

Apply today and help shape brighter futures for every pupil.

About the school

Claystone School – a brand-new specialist school in Luton for autistic children aged 4–11, recently opened in January 2025.

Situated in Pepperstock, Luton, Claystone School is a small, independent setting supporting children with Autism Spectrum Condition (ASC) and a range of additional learning difficulties. We provide a nurturing environment where each child’s unique strengths and contributions are recognised and celebrated, helping them reach their full potential.

For over 19 years Options Autism have provided care and education to pupils, young people and adults with autism, complex needs and learning difficulties. We are a leading provider of education for neurodivergent young people and young adults. 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 2025, Outcomes First Group were officially certified as a ‘Great Place to Work’ for the sixth year running.​

Why join Options Autism?

We put pupil outcomes at the heart of everything we do, so every day you’ll know your work is making a meaningful impact.

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

• Life Assurance

• Pension scheme with options to increase contributions

• “Your Wellbeing Matters” – mental health support and physical health checks

• Flexible Benefits Platform, Vista:

  • 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.

*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.

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