special needs teaching assistant jobs

How would you like to get paid for five days, but only work four?

At Outcomes First Group, we believe in better work/life balance — and we’re putting wellbeing first.

That’s why we’re proud to be part of a 4-Day Working Week (4DWW) trial, where you can work one day less each week (or equivalent hours), while still receiving your full-time pay.

Many of our schools have already introduced the 4DWW — and others are preparing to roll it out as soon as they reach full staffing. So whether it’s already in place or just around the corner, now’s the perfect time to join #teamOFG.

Role: Teaching Assistant
Location: Wessex Lodge School, Frome, Somerset BA11 4LA
Salary: £22,160.62 per annum (not pro rata)
Hours: 37.5 hours per week | Monday to Friday
Contract: Permanent | Term Time Only
Start: January 2026
UK applicants only. This role does not offer sponsorship.

Please note: the successful candidate will be required to work across all three school sites.

As part of our continued growth, we have an exciting opportunity for a Teaching Assistant to join our close-knit team at Wessex Lodge School, part of Acorn Education.

About the Role

We have an exciting opportunity for a Teaching Assistant to join our close-knit team at Wessex Lodge School. In this role, you’ll support pupils with complex needs, helping them achieve their full potential in supportive and nurturing environments.

You will:

• Work directly with pupils to support their emotional, social, and academic development
• Assist teachers in preparing learning materials and delivering classroom activities
• Support pupils’ personalised learning journeys, adapting your approach to individual needs
• Engage with pupils in both classroom and outdoor settings, including trips and enrichment activities
• Collaborate with a dedicated team of teachers and support staff to ensure pupils thrive

Every day brings new experiences, and you will have ongoing guidance, training, and development opportunities to help grow your skills and career.

Additional Opportunities

Wessex Lodge School offers paid responsibilities across a range of areas, including Outdoor Education, Farm, Horticulture, and Forest School. These roles provide the chance to lead creative projects, develop new skills, and make an even greater impact on pupils’ learning and wellbeing.

Who We’re Looking For

• Caring, proactive, and adaptable individuals who respond to pupils’ diverse needs
• Confident working across classroom and outdoor settings
• Team players who value collaboration, creativity, and mutual respect
• Enthusiastic and ready to contribute to a rich, engaging school community

Qualifications & Requirements

• GCSE English and Maths (essential)
• Teaching Assistant qualification (highly desirable)
• Full UK Driving Licence (essential)

At Wessex Lodge School, you’ll join a passionate and supportive team, helping pupils achieve far more than they ever imagined while developing your own career in a rewarding educational setting.

About Us

Wessex Lodge School currently comprises of three sites: Wessex Lodge Primary School located in Kilmington, Wessex Lodge Secondary School located in Frome, and Newmead Farm, located in Maiden Bradley. All sites allow students the opportunity to explore the curriculum alongside a range of subject paths, including the likes of, animal care, horticulture, DT, and forest school, as well as sporting activities.

Our students are aged between 6 and 18 years old. Each student has individual needs and, supported by the THRIVE approach, through a proven range of practitioner-led services and our talented staff, we can help to improve life outcomes for every student.

The established staff team come from a variety of previous occupations and have a vast range of individual skills, which can be utilised, within this school. So, if you have an interest and/or qualifications in animal care, horticulture, construction, outdoor education, forestry or any other specific trade or hobby, we would love to hear from you!

We are part of Acorn Educationand can offer plenty of challenges along with a wide range of opportunities to develop your career. Acorn Education is the UK’s leading provider of specialist education for children and young people with special educational needs. As part of Outcomes First Group, we are leading our sector in creating and delivering innovative approaches that achieve 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 Acorn Education?

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 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

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
• Family Growth Support - inclusive benefits package covering enhanced maternity and paternity leave, along with 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.

Job ID - 298724

Job Types: Full-time, Permanent

Pay: £22,160.62 per year

Benefits:

• Company pension
• Employee discount
• Enhanced maternity leave
• Enhanced paternity leave
• Health & wellbeing programme
• Referral programme
• Store discount

Ability to commute/relocate:

• Corsley Heath: reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work (required)

Work authorisation:

• United Kingdom (required)

Work Location: In person