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Job Title: Teaching Assistant
Location: Orchard Manor, Near Kings Lynn, Downham Market, PE34 3HT
Hours: 40 hours per week | Monday to Friday
Salary: £23,638 per annum (not pro rata)
Contract: Permanent | Term time only
Start: November 2026
UK applicants only – no sponsorship available
About the Role
Are you passionate about helping young people reach their full potential? Do you have the patience, resilience and enthusiasm to support students with additional needs?
We are looking for a dedicated Teaching Assistant to join our specialist education team, supporting students with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and associated learning and communication needs. This is a rewarding opportunity to play a vital role in helping students grow in confidence, develop independence, and achieve meaningful outcomes both in and outside the classroom.
As a Teaching Assistant, you will work closely with teachers, therapists and support staff to provide high-quality educational and pastoral support. You will help create a safe, engaging and inclusive learning environment where every student can thrive.
What you will be doing
- Supporting students on a 1:1 basis and in small groups to access learning and achieve their individual goals.
- Assisting teachers in delivering engaging and differentiated lessons.
- Encouraging students' social, emotional and personal development.
- Supporting students with communication, behaviour and independence skills.
- Helping to create stimulating learning environments and resources.
- Working collaboratively with education, care and therapy teams to provide consistent support.
- Contributing to individual support plans, risk assessments and progress records.
- Promoting the safety, wellbeing and safeguarding of all students
What you will bring
- Experience working within education, SEND, autism or challenging behaviour settings.
- Is passionate about supporting children with complex, high needs primary age learners.
- Excellent communication and teamwork skills.
- Can remain calm, patient and positive when faced with challenges.
- Is able to build strong, trusting relationships with students and colleagues.
- Holds a Level 3 qualification in Supporting Teaching and Learning (desirable).
- Driving licence (Required).
About us
Orchard Manor School, part of Options Autism, is a brand-new specialist school opening near King’s Lynn in Downham Market. The school will cater for up to 72 students aged 5 to 16 with a variety of complex needs, including Autism Spectrum Condition (ASC).
Orchard Manor is an independent specialist school where the curriculum is thoughtfully designed around the specific needs of autistic learners and those with related needs. Education is supported by a fully integrated on-site clinical team, ensuring a holistic, person-centred approach to learning and wellbeing.
At Orchard Manor, we are committed to creating a nurturing, inclusive environment where every student is supported to achieve their full potential.
At Outcomes First Schools, we provide specialist education for learners who need a deeper level of understanding, expertise and support than mainstream education can typically offer. We support students with a wide range of complex, co-occurring and neurodivergent needs, including autism, ADHD, SEMH, speech and communication needs, dyslexia and experiences of trauma or adversity.
We are proud to be a part of OFG Education who in 2025 were officially certified as a ‘Great Place to Work’ for the sixth year running.
Why Join Us?
We place students and vulnerable young adults at the heart of everything we do, so every day brings the satisfaction of making a real difference. We are committed to the safeguarding and promoting the welfare of students and young people. All applicants will be subject to social media checks and successful applicants to a fully enhanced DBS.
- Life Assurance
- Pension scheme with options to increase contributions
- “Your Wellbeing Matters” – mental health support and physical health checks
- Flexible Benefits Platform (Vista), including:
- Health, wellbeing and insurance benefits
- Hundreds of UK and international discounts
- Cycle to Work Scheme & Electric Car Purchase Scheme
- Critical illness cover
- Family Growth Support, including enhanced maternity/paternity leave and paid fertility treatment support
We reserve the right to close the vacancy early if we receive a high volume of suitable applications.
OFG Education 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, OFG Education 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.
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