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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!

Job Title:  Teaching Assistant

Location: Oak Tree School, Truro, TR4 9NH

Salary:      £23,693.75 per annum

Hours:      42.5 hours per week; Monday to Friday, 8am-4:30pm 

Contract: Permanent, Term Time Only

UK applicants only. This role does not offer sponsorship.

As part of our continued growth, we now have a fantastic opportunity for a Teaching Assistant to join our close-knit team at Oak Tree School located in Truro.

About the role 

To take a pro-active role in the support of the educational, social and physical needs of the pupils; to support the curriculum and the school through the provision of assistance to the teacher in the practical organisation of class activities and small group work.

To meet the needs of pupils with specific needs for learning support in relation to severe physical, learning and complex behavioural difficulties. 

Duties and responsibilities:

To assist individuals and groups of pupils in developing knowledge, skills and attitudes as defined by the Curriculum. To take into account the learning support involved to aid the pupils to learn as effectively as possible

To establish supportive relationships with the students concerned and to encourage acceptance and inclusion of all students

To encourage social integration within the school setting and individual development of pupils.  To develop methods of promoting and reinforcing pupils’ self-esteem

To assist in preparing, using and maintaining relevant teaching resources, including wall displays and cleaning up classrooms after activities.  To ensure that basic classroom materials are available for use

To assist with lunch and break-time supervision of students

To accompany pupils on educational visits and outings as supervised by the Class Teacher

To assist with the assessment, monitoring and recording of student’s progress, health, behaviour and general wellbeing. To feedback any information (including concerns) regarding the well-being and educational needs of students to the Class Teacher, Headteacher or Designated Safeguarding Lead as appropriate

Desirable 

Previous experience of working with pupils within a primary or secondary classroom environment or similar, including those with social, emotional, mental health, communication difficulties and associated challenging behaviours

Qualifications

4 GCSE qualifications (or equivalent), or able to demonstrate equivalent knowledge, skills and aptitude through previous work experience

 About us

Oak Tree School in Truro has recently expanded and developed two new buildings and undergone a successful inspection from Ofsted allowing us to offer a wider age range of pupils from 5 – 18 years the opportunity to have the best education possible. Oak Tree School is a specialist SEMH provision positioned near the city of Truro in Cornwall. The school provides full-time specialist co-education for up to 135 pupils and young people aged 5 to 18 who experience social, emotional, mental health, communication difficulties and associated challenging behaviours. These pupils and young people often cannot cope, function or achieve within a mainstream environment. The aim is to provide a structured, nurturing approach, with pupils accessing a broad, balanced and engaging curriculum to meet their significant needs.

This opportunity is in Truro which is within commutable distance of Redruth, St Austell and surrounding areas.

We are part of Acorn Education and can promise you plenty of challenges, and a rich variety of opportunities to develop your career. Acorn Education is the UK’s leading independent provider of specialist education for vulnerable pupils and young people. 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 Acorn Education?

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. 

And that’s not all, 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.

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