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- Tasks: Support students with autism in a nurturing environment, preparing materials and running activities.
- Company: Join Underley Garden School, part of Options Autism, dedicated to transforming lives through education.
- Benefits: Enjoy a 4-day work week, life assurance, pension options, and extensive wellbeing support.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on students' lives while working in a supportive, team-oriented culture.
- Qualifications: Passion for helping others; experience is a plus but not required; full UK driving licence needed.
- Other info: Located near the beautiful Lake District, with opportunities for personal growth and development.
The predicted salary is between 19300 - 25300 £ per year.
How would you like to be paid for five days but only work four? Our colleagues’ wellbeing is at the heart of everything we do at OFG, so we’re always looking for new ways to improve everyone’s work/life balance. We’re taking part in a trial of the 4-Day Working Week, meaning that you could be working one day less a week (or equivalent). If the trial is a success, we’ll be rolling the 4DWW out across the Group – so there’s never been a more exciting time to join #teamOFG!
Visits to Underley Garden School are welcome to all applicants!
Location: Underley Garden School, Kirkby Lonsdale LA6 2DZ
Salary: £22,300.00 per annum (not pro rata) plus a Welcome Bonus of £1,000
Hours: 40 hours per week, Monday to Friday
Contract: Permanent, Term Time Only
UK applicants only. This role does not offer sponsorship. Candidates must have Full UK Driving Licence and access to a vehicle to get to work.
As part of our continued growth, we now have a fantastic opportunity for a Teaching Assistant to join our close-knit team at Underley Garden School, part of Options Autism.
About the Role
Enjoy a rewarding education career and have a real impact on pupils' lives. Join an amazing team creating supportive, nurturing environments where our pupils achieve far more than they ever expected. As a Teaching Assistant, you will connect directly with the brilliant students we support, helping to make sure they get the very best from their education. Each individual has a diagnosis of Autism and may have additional needs. They have so much potential, and they will rely on you to guide their learning journeys bespoke to them.
You will help prepare learning materials and run classroom activities, with plenty of hands-on experience and providing close supervision of the pupils. You will take responsibility for their emotional and physical needs, supporting them to develop as individuals and engage with the world. Every day will be different, but you will have all the support you need, with lots of skills and experience to draw on along with valuable advice and guidance too.
Who we are looking for
We are looking for passionate staff who want to support pupils with a variety of complex needs such as Autism, SEMH, ADHD, pupils who are speaking and non-speaking as well as pupils with communicational difficulties and more. As part of your role you may be required to undertake personal care duties such as feeding and toileting to support our students. We warmly welcome applicants from all sections of the community regardless of their age, religion, gender identity or expression, race, disability or sexual orientation, and are committed to promoting diversity, and equality of opportunity.
We would love to hear from candidates who are enthusiastic, warm and want to make a positive impact on our pupils' lives. Experience is desirable, however not a necessity to join our team. If you come from hospitality, the army, outdoor activity centres or an office-based job but are eager to help pupils to live happy, fulfilling lives, this is the role for you. We will provide you with full training and development to succeed within your role.
Successful candidates need to be adaptable and ready to work in a variety of classroom roles, both indoors and outside according to individual need. Taking a responsive and caring approach, you may be running classroom activities, leading outdoor experiences or supervising pupils as they explore further afield.
Our schools are built on great teamwork and mutual support. If you enjoy working as part of a dedicated team, sharing knowledge, experience and learning, simply fill in our safeguarding-compliant application form and a member of our team will be in touch.
About Us
Underley Garden School is a large school with small class sizes, focusing on pupils, aged 5-19, who have a range of complex needs associated with autism and learning disabilities, including complex communication, sensory and behavioural needs associated with their disabilities. Our School adopts a holistic, person-centred approach to the development of our pupils and endeavours to ensure that they achieve as high a standard as possible. We offer a comprehensive portfolio of education, care and therapy to meet the individual requirements of students with complex special educational needs. At Underley Garden, we aim to make a positive difference to the personal, social and learning lives of the people entrusted to our care.
Located near the market town of Kirkby Lonsdale on the edge of the Lake District and the Yorkshire Dales in a commutable distance of Lancaster, Cumbria and surrounding areas.
For over 16 years Options Autism have provided support and education to pupils and adults with autism, complex needs and learning difficulties. 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 2024, Outcomes First Group were officially certified as a ‘Great Place to Work’ for the fifth year running.
Why join Options Autism?
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.
Additional School Benefits
- Birthday Chocolates
- Gift Voucher at Christmas
- Medicash Wellbeing Health Expenses including Employee Assistance Programme and Anytime Healthline
- Team Building Days
- 'Go Green Initiative' - Every staff member who lives outside of a 10-mile radius from Underley Garden will receive a payment for five days travel per month. We encourage car sharing where possible.
And that’s not all, we place the outcomes of the pupils 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. All applicants will be subject to social media checks and successful applicants to a fully enhanced DBS.
We reserve the right to close the vacancy early if we receive a high volume of suitable applications.
Teaching Assistant (Kendal) employer: Outcomes First Group
Contact Detail:
Outcomes First Group Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Teaching Assistant (Kendal)
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the specific needs of pupils with Autism and other complex needs. Understanding their challenges and how to support them will show your commitment and passion for the role, making you a standout candidate.
✨Tip Number 2
Visit Underley Garden School if possible. Engaging with the environment and staff can provide you with valuable insights into the school's culture and values, which you can reference in conversations during the interview process.
✨Tip Number 3
Network with current or former employees of Options Autism. They can offer first-hand experiences and tips on what the school values in its staff, helping you tailor your approach when discussing your suitability for the role.
✨Tip Number 4
Demonstrate your adaptability and teamwork skills. Be prepared to share examples from your past experiences where you've successfully worked in diverse teams or adapted to changing situations, as these qualities are essential for a Teaching Assistant.
We think you need these skills to ace Teaching Assistant (Kendal)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience and skills that align with the role of a Teaching Assistant. Emphasise any experience working with children, especially those with special educational needs or autism.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that showcases your passion for supporting pupils with complex needs. Mention specific examples of how you've positively impacted others in previous roles, even if they are not directly related to education.
Highlight Relevant Qualifications: If you have any qualifications related to education, child development, or special needs, be sure to mention them. Even if you lack formal qualifications, highlight any training or workshops you've attended that relate to the role.
Show Enthusiasm for the Role: In your application, express your enthusiasm for joining Underley Garden School and contributing to the wellbeing of the pupils. Mention why you are drawn to their holistic approach and how you can support their mission.
How to prepare for a job interview at Outcomes First Group
✨Show Your Passion for Education
Make sure to express your enthusiasm for working with students, especially those with complex needs. Share any personal experiences or motivations that led you to pursue a role as a Teaching Assistant.
✨Demonstrate Adaptability
Highlight your ability to adapt to different classroom environments and individual student needs. Be prepared to discuss examples of how you've successfully adjusted your approach in previous roles or situations.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect questions that ask how you would handle specific situations involving students with autism or other complex needs. Think through potential scenarios and your responses ahead of time to show your problem-solving skills.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
At the end of the interview, ask thoughtful questions about the school's approach to education and support for students. This shows your genuine interest in the role and helps you understand if it's the right fit for you.
