Teaching Assistant

Job Title: Teaching Assistant

Salary: Up to £18,291.60

Location: Based across 3 sites – Meadowcroft School, Wakefield, West Yorkshire, WF1 4AD

Hours: Full-Time

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 The Meadowcroft Team. Someone with patience and the willingness to use a certain degree of initiative.  As part of our continued growth, we now have an opportunity for a number of Teaching Assistants to join our close-knit team. 

About the School

Meadowcroft is an independent specialist day school for boys and girls aged from 5 to 19, catering for children with a wide range of needs in 3 sites across Wakefield. 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.

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.

We have a team of fantastic multi-disciplinary specialists who work closely together to find creative tailored solutions to support the emotional development to make a positive life changing difference to our students. 

About the Group

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

Acorn Care and Education provide education and care across 20 schools and 19 residential care homes nationally. Our vision is to build incredible futures by empowering vulnerable young people in the UK to be happy and make their way in the world. Every day we improve the lives of thousands of young people, their families and communities through relentless focus on caring and learning.

About the Role

Working with our Teachers and Senior Leadership Team, you will be responsible for providing essential support to our SEN pupils with learning difficulties, behavioural, social and physical disabilities. You will build positive relationships with pupils to promote interaction and a constructive learning environment as well as assist the class teacher and other education staff with learning activities. Work is often carried outside of the classroom environment and you will have the opportunity to assist in the planning and delivery of lessons in a very creative and positive setting.

Our Teaching staff at Meadowcroft are encouraged to take a creative approach, seeking ways to positively engage with and motivate pupils through lessons that promote learning and raise levels of attainment. Smaller class sizes mean you can focus on building a purposeful learning environment that meets individual educational needs of pupils, helping to narrow the gap for pupils who are behind where they should be.

Who we are looking for

No two days are the same here at Meadowcroft and we want Teaching Assistants who work at pace to turn ‘can’t do’ into ‘want to’, are flexible to meet the challenges we face and are motivated by supporting children with complex needs.

Whilst previous experience in an SEN environment would be desirable, the right motivation, personal qualities and levels of resilience are just as important to us. You must be motivated by the belief that every child can achieve and reach their potential.

We are looking for Teaching Assistants who want to spend less time on paperwork and more time developing creative learning opportunities for the most reluctant and troubles learners. The ability to contribute to the development of our school is essential and we believe that energy, passion and a commitment to high standards will be key to your success as a Teaching Assistant at Meadowcroft.

If you are looking to join a dedicated team in a school that will welcome your ideas and aim to re-engage the young people we teach, we would like to hear from you. 

Essential Criteria

• Experience of supporting vulnerable young people who have demonstrated challenging or complex behaviours
• Experience of using IT effectively
• Maths & English (GCSE C grade or equivalent)
• The ability to follow instructions from the teacher and also be able to work independently
• The ability to implement assessment for learning under the guidance of the teacher
• Knowledge of policies and codes of practice/legislation on Child Protection and Safeguarding
• The ability to manage behaviour effectively
• Ability to recognise small steps of progress in young people’s journey and development
• Willingness to work towards a qualification in supporting learning in classrooms

​Why work for us

• Social activities
• "Your Wellbeing Matters"
• Employee Rewards Hub
• Free School meals on site
• No two days are ever the same
• Be part of a fantastic team who work hard together and support each other
• Opportunity to enrich the lives of young people and make a positive difference
• Continuous professional development and training for a clear career path 

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 outcome possible for everybody in our care. A full application form must be completed with all employment dates accurate and gaps in employment accounted for.