Teaching Assistant

Job description

Job DescriptionJoin Our Team as a Teaching Assistant!

Location: Abbey Gardens School, Bury St Edmunds, IP32 6SA

Hours: 37.5 hours per week | Monday to Friday | 8.30am – 4.00pm

Salary: £22,160.62 per annum (not pro rata)

Contract: Permanent | Term Time Only

Start Date: January 2027

Note: UK applicants only – no sponsorship available.

About the Role

Are you passionate about making a difference in the lives of young people? Abbey Gardens School is on the lookout for a caring, enthusiastic, and committed Teaching Assistant to join our dedicated team. This is your chance to support children and young people with Special Educational Needs in a nurturing and inclusive environment.

As a Teaching Assistant, you will collaborate closely with class teachers and the wider school team to enhance students’ learning, wellbeing, and development—both in and out of the classroom. Your role will be pivotal in helping students access the curriculum, develop essential life skills, and feel safe, supported, and valued every day.

Key Responsibilities

In this role, you will:

• Support students on a 1:1 basis and in small groups with learning, behaviour, and social development.
• Assist teachers in delivering engaging, accessible, and well-structured lessons.
• Create a positive, inclusive, and calm learning environment.
• Support students during transitions, break times, and lunchtimes.
• Prepare learning resources and maintain well-organized, welcoming classroom spaces.
• Promote positive behaviour and act as a consistent, positive role model.
• Record and report progress, incidents, and achievements as required.
• Uphold safeguarding, child protection, and confidentiality at all times.

What We’re Looking For

We’re seeking someone who:

• Holds GCSEs (Grade C/4 or above, or equivalent) in English and Mathematics.
• Exhibits a calm, patient, and caring approach, especially during challenging moments.
• Is passionate about supporting young people and making learning accessible to all.
• Can build strong, trusting relationships with students and colleagues.
• Has experience working with secondary-aged students (desirable but not essential).
• Works well as part of a team while also showing confidence and initiative.
• Believes in the potential of every student and demonstrates resilience and commitment.
• Holds a full UK Driving Licence.

About Us

Abbey Gardens is a brand-new specialist school, part of Acorn Education, dedicated to supporting young people aged 11–16 with SEMH needs. Opened in June 2026, we provide a nurturing, inclusive environment where every student is empowered to thrive.

Our personalized curriculum builds on the National Curriculum while being tailored to each student’s individual needs, strengths, and aspirations. We combine academic learning with personal development, helping students build confidence, resilience, independence, and essential life skills.

As the school grows, our curriculum will remain relevant, engaging, and purposeful, with Key Stage 3 and 4 pathways offering recognized accreditation wherever possible. Our aim is simple: to help every young person overcome barriers, experience success, and build a positive future.

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 part of OFG Education, which was officially certified as a ‘Great Place to Work’ for the sixth consecutive year in 2025.

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 safeguarding and promoting the welfare of students and young people. All applicants will be subject to social media checks, and successful applicants will undergo a fully enhanced DBS check.

Benefits

• 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

Note: We reserve the right to close the vacancy early if we receive a high volume of suitable applications. OFG Education is committed to a fair, thorough, and efficient recruitment process in line with Keeping Children Safe in Education. While we aim to keep applicants informed throughout, we do not accept liability for any loss of earnings or other associated costs incurred by applicants due to 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.

Extra information

Status

Open

Education Level

Secondary School

Location

london (abbey wood)

Type of Contract

Full-time jobs

Published at

24-10-2026

Profession type

Teaching / Instructors / Guides

Full UK/EU driving license preferred

No

Car Preferred

No

Must be eligible to work in the EU

No

Cover Letter Required

No

Languages

English