Work Smarter. Live Better. Join the 4-Day Working Week!

Job Title:  Teaching Assistant
Location:   Wessex Lodge School, Frome, Somerset BA11 4LA
Hours:  37.5 per week | Monday to Friday | 8.30am – 4.00pm
Salary: From £22,160.62 per annum (not pro rata)
Contract:  Permanent | Term Time Only
Start:  April 2026
UK applicants only – no sponsorship available

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 (4DWW) trial, giving you 80% of your contractual hours for 100% of your pay*.

Many of our schools have already introduced the 4DWW, and others will soon join in. So, whether it’s already in place or just around the corner, now’s the perfect time to join #teamOFG!

About the Role

As a Teaching Assistant at Wessex Lodge School, you will support the learning, wellbeing, and personal development of students across any of our three sites in Frome, Maiden Bradley, and Kilmington. Working under the guidance of teaching staff, you will help deliver engaging learning experiences, contribute to positive behaviour support, and ensure students feel safe, confident, and supported in their education.

Key Responsibilities

• Support learning activities, including preparing resources, helping with tasks, encouraging independence, and providing feedback to teaching staff.
• Contribute to positive behaviour management by promoting school policies, applying agreed strategies, and reporting concerns or progress.
• Build and maintain supportive relationships with individual students and groups, promoting confidence, self-esteem, and emotional wellbeing.
• Observe, record, and report on student performance, behaviour, and progress using agreed formats and schedules.
• Assist with planning and, when required by the Head, contribute to or deliver lessons aligned with agreed learning outcomes.
• Help maintain a safe and supportive learning environment, recognising signs of distress or health needs and responding in line with school policies.
• Support inclusion by assisting multilingual learners, and by promoting literacy, numeracy, and access to the curriculum for all students.
• Work professionally with colleagues and parents, contributing to team planning, sharing concerns appropriately, and supporting transport duties such as driving the school minibus for student collection and return.

About You

The ideal candidate will have:

• A full UK driving licence (Essential)
• Experience in a similar role
• A good level of English and Maths GCSE

About Us

Wessex Lodge School operates across three sites in Kilmington, Frome, and Maiden Bradley, offering pupils a range of academic and vocational opportunities. Our skilled, practitioner-led staff use the THRIVE approach to support each student’s individual needs.
Pupils develop confidence, independence, and social-emotional skills in a nurturing, inclusive environment. Staff bring expertise from education and practical trades, enabling engaging, real-world learning experiences. Creativity, curiosity, and personal growth are encouraged through tailored support and hands-on activities. Wessex Lodge is dedicated to helping every pupil reach their full potential in a safe and stimulating setting.

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

*Subject to successful probation. Not a contractual benefit.

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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