How would you like to be paid for five days but only work four*?

Our colleagues’ wellbeing is at the heart of everything we do at OFG, so we’re always looking for new ways to improve everyone’s work/life balance. We’re taking part in a trial of the 4-Day Working Week, meaning that you could be working one day less a week (or equivalent).

If the trial is a success, we’ll be rolling the 4DWW out across the Group – so there’s never been a more exciting time to join #teamOFG!

Job Title:  Teaching Assistant

Location:  Ryecroft School, Walsall, West Midlands WS2 7BH

Salary:      £20,906.25 per annum (not pro rata)

Hours:      37.5 hours per week, Monday to Friday

Contract:  Permanent, Term Time Only

UK applicants only. This role does not offer sponsorship.

As part of our continued growth, we have a fantastic opportunity for a Teaching Assistant to join the close-knit, passionate team at Ryecroft School, part of Options Autism.

If you’re looking for a role where you can genuinely transform lives — while being supported to grow your own skills and career — this could be exactly what you’re looking for.

About the Role

As a Teaching Assistant, you’ll play a key role in helping our pupils thrive — emotionally, socially, and academically. Every pupil at Ryecroft has unique strengths and needs, and you‘ll be there to support their learning journeys every step of the way.

You will:

• Support class teachers with preparing resources and running activities
• Work 1:1 or in small groups, helping pupils to stay engaged and make progress
• Provide emotional and physical care in a nurturing and respectful way
• Encourage independence, confidence, and self-expression
• Adapt to meet different needs — in the classroom, outdoors, or on school trips

This is a hands-on, dynamic role with every day offering something different. You’ll need to be flexible, responsive, and ready to think on your feet — but you’ll never be without guidance, teamwork, and expert support.

Who We‘re Looking For

We’re looking for someone who is:

• Compassionate, patient, and resilient
• Adaptable and happy working across a range of classroom and outdoor settings
• A clear communicator with strong teamwork skills
• Enthusiastic about supporting children with SEN, autism, and complex needs
• Committed to promoting the emotional wellbeing and personal growth of every pupil

Prior experience is welcome but not essential — if you have the right attitude and a willingness to learn, we’ll provide full training and development opportunities.

About Us

Our New Options School - Ryecroft School has capacity for 60 pupils, opened in September 2024 and caters for pupils with Autism and complex needs.

The school is located in Walsall. Walsall is a market town in the West Midlands County. It is located 9 miles north-west of Birmingham, 7 miles east of Wolverhampton and 9 miles from Lichfield.

For over 16 years Options Autism have provided care and education to pupils and adults with autism, complex needs and learning difficulties. As part of Outcomes First Group, we are leading our sector in setting and delivering new approaches that provide 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.

If you’re passionate about helping young people succeed and want to be part of a dedicated team, we’d love to hear from you.

Why join Options Autism?

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 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.

Benefits

Your health and wellbeing are important to us, so you’ll get an exceptional reward package including:

• Life Assurance
• Pension scheme with options to increase your contributions
• “Your Wellbeing Matters” – access to a wide range of first-class mental health support services and physical health checks

And a market-leading benefit offering through our Flexible Benefits Platform, Vista, enables you to choose the package that’s right for you, including:

• A wide range of health, wellbeing, and insurance benefits
• 100’s of discount options valid in the UK and abroad
• Cycle to Work Schemes
• Electric Car Purchase Scheme
• Critical illness cover
• Family Growth Support - inclusive benefits package covering enhanced maternity and paternity leave, along with paid fertility treatment support.

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

*You’ll work 80% of your contractual hours for 100% of your pay, giving you more time to do the things that make you happy. 4DWW is subject to successful completion of probation and is not a contractual benefit 

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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