Early Years Practitioner

At OFG, we work smarter so you can spend more time doing what makes you happy!

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).

4DWW will be rolled out within our school, when we have a full complement of staff, and within the next year - so there's never been a more exciting time to join us !

Job Title: Early Years Practitioner

Location: Acorn Park School, Norwich, NR16 2HU

Salary: GBP24,000 - GBP28,000 per annum (not pro rata)

Hours: 37.5 hours per week; Monday to Friday 8.30am - 4.30pm

Contract: Permanent, Term Time only

Start Date: June 2025

UK Applicants only. This role does not offer sponsorship.

As part of our continued growth, we now have a fantastic opportunity for Early Years Practitioners to join our close-knit team at Acorn Park School located in Norwich.

About the role

To work under the guidance of the class teacher in the planning and implementation of the early years foundation stage (EYFS) and other national programmes/strategies with individuals or groups of pupils or the whole class to promote effective teaching and learning within a specialist Autism School.

During the short-term absence of the class teacher an Early Years Practitioner may be required to supervise the whole class and deliver pre prepared activities.

Key Task Areas and Responsibilities

• To provide general support to the class teacher in the management and organisation of the pupils and the classroom.
• To assist the teacher in creating and maintaining a purposeful, orderly and supportive learning environment.
• To promote the inclusion and acceptance of all pupils, ensuring they have equal opportunities to learn and develop.
• To be responsible for promoting and safeguarding the welfare of pupils and young people within the school.

Qualifications Required

• Level 3 in Early Years

About us

Acorn Park is a school for 160 pupils, who all have a primary diagnosis of Autism. We run two curriculum pathways - Formal and Semi-formal. Our Complex needs pupils are on the Semi-Formal Pathway which is highly personalised from their EHCP. We have a mixture of Day and Residential pupils as we have 8 co-located pupil's homes on our 30 Acre site in rural Norfolk. On site, we also have a large Forest School and Animal Care Farm along with play facilities, a sports hall and sensory rooms.

For over 16 years Options Autism have provided care and education to pupils, young people and adults with autism, complex needs and learning difficulties. We are a leading provider of education for neurodivergent young people and young adults. 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.

Why join Options Autism?

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.

And that's not all, 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 subject to social media checks and successful applicants to a fully enhanced DBS.

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

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