Job at a glance
Are you looking for a career where you can make a genuine difference to a young person every day? At Penny Tree School, we're looking for caring, enthusiastic and resilient Teaching Assistants to join our growing team and help pupils with additional needs build confidence, overcome barriers and achieve their potential. Working alongside experienced teachers, therapists and other professionals, you'll provide personalised support in a nurturing environment where every pupil is understood as an individual and every achievement matters.
Previous SEN experience is beneficial, but it isn't essential. If you have the right values, patience and ability to connect with young people, we'll provide the training and support you need to develop within specialist education. What You'll Be Doing Provide 1:1, small-group and classroom support, helping pupils engage with learning and work towards their individual goals. Build positive and trusting relationships that help pupils feel safe, understood and ready to learn.
Support teachers to deliver engaging, creative and personalised learning activities. Encourage pupils to develop greater confidence, independence, communication and social skills. Provide calm and consistent support to promote positive behaviour and emotional wellbeing. Help plan and deliver individualised activities and support strategies that encourage pupil progress. Work collaboratively with teachers, therapists and other professionals to provide consistent support.
Help maintain a safe, nurturing and inclusive environment where every pupil has the opportunity to succeed. Provide personal care and support where required Caring, patient and adaptable, with a genuine desire to help young people with SEND thrive Resilient, positive and able to work collaboratively within a supportive team A confident communicator who builds trust with pupils, colleagues and families Flexible, enthusiastic and ready to support learning in a range of settings and situations Our new Options Autism school - Penny Tree - will have capacity for up to 100 pupils and is expected to open for students in the near future.
At Penny Tree School, you will be part of a supportive and forward-thinking team at the very start of an exciting journey. Backed by the expertise of Options Autism and Outcomes First Group, you will benefit from access to a wide professional network, ongoing development opportunities, and the chance to make a meaningful difference to the lives of the pupils we serve. For over 19 years, Options Autism has provided specialist care and education for children, young people, and adults with autism, complex needs, and learning difficulties.
As part of Outcomes First Group, we are pioneering innovative, evidence-based approaches that deliver meaningful, measurable outcomes for everyone 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. We place pupils 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 pupils 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