Teaching Assistant

Location: Welford

How would you like to get paid for five days, but only work four?

At Outcomes First Group, we believe in better work/life balance — and we’re putting wellbeing first.

That’s why we’re proud to be part of a 4-Day Working Week (4

DWW) trial, where you can work one day less each week (or equivalent hours), while still receiving your full-time pay.

Many of our schools have already introduced the 4

DWW — and others are preparing to roll it out as soon as they reach full staffing. So, whether it’s already in place or just around the corner, now’s the perfect time to join #team

OFG.

Job Title:

Teaching Assistant

Location:

New Barn School, Newbury, Berkshire RG20 8HZ

Salary:
£23,638.00 per annum (not pro rata)

Hours:

40 hours per week | Monday to Friday

Contract:

Permanent | Term Time Only
Start:
January 2026
UK applicants only – this role does not offer sponsorship

Be Part of Something Extraordinary at New Barn School

As New Barn School continues to grow and expand, we’re excited to welcome passionate, energetic and dedicated Teaching Assistants/Classroom Assistants to our team.

Whether you’re an experienced SEN practitioner or coming from mainstream education with a burning passion for SEND, this is the perfect opportunity to make a genuine impact on the lives of young people with complex needs.

About the Role

As a Teaching Assistant at New Barn School, you’ll build strong, meaningful connections with pupils — helping them unlock their potential and thrive in their own unique ways.

Every day, you will:

Support pupils with complex Social, Emotional & Mental Health (SEMH) needs

Help prepare and deliver engaging learning materials and classroom activities

Provide hands-on support under the guidance of experienced teachers

Nurture pupils’ emotional and physical wellbeing

Encourage independence, resilience and positive engagement with learning

Play a vital role in shaping each learner’s journey — step by step, moment by moment

This is an exciting opportunity to join a committed, supportive and inspiring team where your passion becomes a catalyst for positive change.

Who We’re Looking For

We welcome applications from people who are:

GCSE English and Maths or equivalent

Experienced Teaching Assistants within SEN or from mainstream settings eager to move into complex SEND

Confident in working with SEMH pupils (highly desirable)

Happy to adopt and embrace a therapeutic, nurturing approach

Experienced working with ASC (highly desirable)

Compassionate, adaptable, resilient and ready to learn

Committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of young people

About Us

New Barn School offers a broad, balanced and relevant curriculum to boys and girls, aged 6 – 19 years who have Social, Emotional and Mental Health complexities.

New Barn School takes full advantage of its beautiful settings and fosters a love for using the outdoor curriculum including forest school, farm experiences and horse riding. The School is within a commutable distance of Swindon, Oxford, Andover, Basingstoke and Reading and other surrounding towns and villages.

Our services offer a stable, secure and supportive environment, in which the pupils and young people we care for can develop the skills and confidence necessary to help them fulfil their potential.

We are part of Acorn Education and can offer plenty of challenges along with a wide range of opportunities to develop your career. Acorn Education is the UK’s leading provider of specialist education for children and young people with special educational needs. As part of Outcomes First Group, we are leading our sector in creating and delivering innovative approaches that achieve 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?

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…