Teaching Assistant

MacIntyre Academies’ first school, which opened in September 2014, was established in partnership with Oxfordshire County Council to provide specialist education and support for children and young people with autism and learning disabilities. The school was created to offer local provision for pupils who had previously been educated outside the county, allowing them to receive the tailored care and education they need closer to home. The school provides 32 places for children and young people aged 8 to 19 who require specialist education, care, and support.

We are looking for highly motivated, active members of staff who are looking to embark on an exciting and rewarding career working with learners with Autism and learning difficulties. Previous experience is not essential though desirable to have an understanding of Autism, Social, Emotional and Mental Health Difficulties and Learning difficulties; ultimately providing Care, education and support to learners. It is paramount that you must be an effective, confident communicator.

Experience will not be essential as you will receive ongoing support and training with a full induction. It is more important to us that you have the right outlook, can build relationships with our learner, and share our values and belief in their potential. “ MacIntyre hire for attitude and train for skill.”

You will be able to keep accurate records such as the recording of daily notes; medication administration and learning outcomes with excellent attention to detail. You will demonstrate an approach of facilitation and reflective practice with a belief in a life of independence and choice for the learners you will support at all times.

Some of our learners are very active but at the same time are vulnerable if left on their own. Some learners can behave in a way that is challenging to others and part of our role is to teach learners safer and more effective ways of communicating their needs, however a level of challenge still exists; this can be physical or a reluctance to engage. For these reasons, this role requires someone who is physically fit. MacIntyre Academies will, where possible, look to make reasonable adjustments to comply with the Equality Act 2010.

Our people are at the heart of our success

MacIntyre Academies Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of learners. All positions will require an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check and registration with the DBS Update Service together with all other relevant recruitment checks including obtaining references. This post includes engaging in regulated activity relevant to learners and is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act, 1974 and the amendments to the Exceptions Order 1975, 2013 and 2020. Further information about filtering offences can be found in the DBS filtering guide: DBS filtering guide - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) It is an offence to apply for this role if you are barred from engaging in regulated activity relevant to children. Referees will be asked to assess suitability of candidates to work with vulnerable learners and will be verbally verified. Individual Safeguarding Policies for our Academies can be found on our website under ‘Essential Information’ and candidates will be asked about this as part of the recruitment process.

In line with the update to KSCIE 2026 MacIntyre Academies will carry out an online search of the candidate once the shortlisting process has been completed as part of their due diligence. This may involve a google search of the candidate’s name, looking at the top three search results over the past three years. If any incidents or issues are identified that are publicly available online this will be explored with the candidate at interview stage.