Teaching Assistant

Full Job Description

We put wellbeing first by giving our teams more time to recharge!

Job title:   Teaching Assistant
Location:  Dibden Park School, Southampton SO45 5TD
Salary:      £23,638 per annum (not pro rata)
Hours:      40 hours per week | Monday to Friday 
Contract:  Permanent | Term Time Only
Start:        October 2026
UK applicants only; no sponsorship available

About the Role

As a Teaching Assistant, you’ll play a vital role in helping children and young people build confidence, develop independence and enjoy success in their learning.

You don’t need to have all the answers. What matters is that you’re caring, patient, resilient and willing to learn. You’ll be supported by an experienced team and given the opportunity to develop your skills while making a genuine difference every day.

No two days will be the same. You could be supporting learning in the classroom, getting involved in outdoor activities, encouraging communication or helping a pupil manage challenges and celebrate their successes.

What You'll Be Doing

• Provide 1:1 and small-group support to help pupils engage with learning and reach their individual goals.
• Build positive, trusting relationships that help young people feel safe, understood and confident.
• Support pupils with their communication, emotional wellbeing, behaviour and independence.
• Get involved in engaging classroom, outdoor and enrichment activities.
• Encourage pupils to try new things, develop new skills and recognise their achievements.
• Work closely with teachers, therapists and colleagues to provide consistent, personalised support.

What We're Looking For

You could already have experience working in education, care, youth work or support or you may simply have the right attitude and a genuine passion for helping young people.

• Caring, patient and compassionate, with a positive approach.
• Adaptable and resilient, able to respond calmly to different situations.
• A confident communicator who can build strong relationships.
• Enthusiastic about learning and developing their own skills.
• A team player who enjoys working collaboratively.
• Ready to bring energy, encouragement and positivity to every day.
• Driving licence required 

About Us

Dibden Park School is a brand-new independent specialist school in Southampton, supporting pupils with SEMH needs, communication difficulties, and associated complex behaviours. The school provides a safe, nurturing, and inclusive environment where small classes and personalised support help every pupil thrive academically, socially, and emotionally. Our broad and purposeful curriculum combines formal learning with life skills and enrichment activities to develop confidence, independence, and resilience. Pupils benefit from staff who understand their individual needs and remove barriers to engagement. Working closely with families, the school fosters strong relationships and a supportive community. Dibden Park School supports every child and young person to feel safe, be heard, discover their worth, develop their strengths and create a limitless future.

Acorn Education offers rewarding careers and meaningful challenges while making a real difference in young people’s lives. As a leading UK provider of specialist education for children and young people with special educational needs, and part of Outcomes First Group, we deliver innovative, evidence-based approaches that support measurable progress and lasting impact.

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.

Why Join Us?

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

We reserve the right to close the vacancy early if we receive a high volume of suitable applications.

Outcomes First Group 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, Outcomes First Group 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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