Teaching Assistant

Overview

Full Job Description

At Willow Park School, we believe every young person deserves to feel safe, valued and understood. We support pupils aged 9–16 with Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH) needs and associated learning differences. Many of our pupils have experienced disrupted education, trauma and challenges that make trusting adults difficult — which is why our work matters so deeply. We use a trauma‑informed approach to help pupils move from survival to success.

If you are compassionate, resilient and ready to be a steady, trusted presence in a young person’s life, this could be the role where you truly make an impact.

What you'll do

• Support learning in the classroom and during off‑site activities
• Build strong, trusting relationships with pupils who need consistency
• Use trauma‑informed strategies to support emotional regulation
• Adapt learning to meet individual EHCP outcomes
• Work closely with teachers, therapists and the Inclusion Team
• Record progress, behaviour and safeguarding concerns accurately
• Promote independence, confidence and a sense of belonging

Every day will bring new challenges and new reasons to be proud of the difference you're making.

You’ll thrive here if you are:

• Level 2 English and Maths or willing to undertake
• Calm, caring and emotionally resilient
• Able to set clear boundaries with warmth and consistency
• A strong communicator and collaborative team player
• Passionate about helping vulnerable young people succeed
• Adaptable and confident working across classrooms and outdoor learning
• Committed to safeguarding and professional integrity
• Driving Licence is required

Willow Park School is a brand-new specialist school in Milton Keynes for young people aged 9–16 with a range of complex needs. Our aim is simple: to equip every child with the skills, knowledge, and confidence they need to succeed in the future. Through a therapeutic educational approach, supported by specialist facilities and an experienced team, we help students with social, emotional, and mental health (SEMH), communication, interaction, and associated challenging behaviours to flourish in a safe and nurturing environment.

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.

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.

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

• 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