The Orchards Federation
GREEN FOLD SPECIALIST SCHOOL
Tel: 01204 335883

Teaching Assistant Level 1
Start date: April 2026 or sooner
30.46 hrs per week, term time only + 1 week
Actual Salary: Grade D scp 6 11 £18,320 - £19,838
Location: Orchards Lower Site

Green Fold is a maintained primary special school that provides the highest quality of education for over 170 children aged 4-11 with a wide variety of highly complex needs including PMLD, SLD and Autism with a range of associated communication, interaction, social, sensory and learning differences.

Our team consists of over 130 school-based practitioners in education, health and care who work tirelessly to ensure that we offer the best holistic education and care to our students and support to their families and the wider community.

Our school is part of The Orchards Federation, a group of three schools working closely together for the benefit of all our pupils, the other members of the Federation are The Orchards Nursery School and Cherry Tree Primary School.

Green Fold is located across 4 sites in Bolton each with specific enabling learning environments closely matched to our learners needs.

In 2025/26 our educational offer is organised in the following way:

- The Seedlings provision in Daubhill is the home to our Early Years team, a bespoke provision meeting the needs of our children as they enjoy a bright start on their journey with us.
- Our Saplings provision on Lever Edge Lane caters for autistic children in Key Stage 1 and Lower Key Stage 2
- The Orchards Upper Site in Farnworth provides for children with SLD, PMLD and autism and includes resources such as our hydro pool and full tracking hoists into the classrooms for our PMLD learners who require this support.
- At the Orchards Lower Site in Farnworth our provision is focussed upon sensory support for our learners with autism in Key Stage 2.

Each of our buildings have excellent facilities and all are equipped with new high specification sensory rooms and other specialist spaces.

We are proud to be recognised as outstanding practitioners in PMLD and complex needs education and are additionally the Autism Education Trust providers for Bolton - we ensure our children are always at the forefront of evidence-based learning.

Green Fold is a place where each pupil is allowed to express themselves as individuals and learn in a style that best meets their needs.

‘Pupils love coming to Green Fold School. It is a place where all pupils flourish.’ Ofsted November 2023

As a Federation we focus strongly on staff and children’s wellbeing. We can offer you an excellent opportunity to continue your professional development, where you will receive a high level of commitment and support from staff, governors and families.

This is a particularly exciting time to join the school as we continue to expand with projected numbers exceeding 185 by 2026. Green Fold and The Orchards Federation are currently undergoing significant building works at all sites to ensure the provision is fit for the future.

We can offer:

The opportunity to be part of a friendly, committed, knowledgeable, highly skilled and supportive staff
Excellent CPD opportunities
A unique opportunity to work as part of and within a Federation

We are looking for people who can demonstrate:

A basic awareness of school curriculum
Good personal numeracy and literacy skills
A basic awareness of children with additional needs especially within a school setting
A Patient, nurturing and caring manner

Closing Date: Wednesday 7 January 2026 at 9:00am
Interview Dates: Thursday 15 January 2026 and Friday 16 January 2026

Completed application forms should be emailed to recruitment@theorchards.bolton.sch.uk.
Please quote ref: GF TA 1 30.46.
Please note a full application form must be submitted as CV’s and late applications will not be accepted. Accompanying information must not to be more than two sides of A4.

The School is committed to safer recruitment practice, and pre-employment checks will be undertaken before any appointment is confirmed. This post is subject to an enhanced disclosure from the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) and a barred list check.

The school is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and it expects staff and volunteers to share this commitment.


Supporting Documents

Bolton Council Schools (Officers) 2022 - Application Form
Job Description and Person Specification
TA1 Green Fold School Overview

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Location

Highfield Road, Farnworth, Bolton, BL4 0NS, United Kingdom

Job ID

2378

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Applying Authentically With AI: Our Greater Manchester Approach

Across Greater Manchester’s local authorities, we want to hear your genuine experiences, skills and motivations, expressed in your own words.

To keep our recruitment process fair and inclusive, please complete your application personally and follow the instructions carefully. AI can be used to support you - for example, to help structure your answers or as a reasonable adjustment - but your application should still reflect your authentic voice. If you do use AI as a support tool, a brief explanation helps us ensure an equitable selection process.

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This guidance outlines acceptable and unacceptable uses of AI, along with suggestions for using it in a way that supports you while keeping your application true to you.

  1. What Is AI and How Do We Use It Across Greater Manchester?

    AI refers to technology that can create or refine content, such as text, ideas, summaries, or planning. It can help improve productivity, problem-solving, and creativity.

    We’re open to using innovative digital tools where they can help us work smarter and deliver better services for our residents. However, every use of AI is carefully considered to make sure it is ethical, responsible, and aligned with public-sector values.

    When it comes to recruitment, we take a human-centred approach.

    This means:

    • A trained hiring manager reads every application

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    Our aim isn’t to catch anyone out but to make sure we’re getting to know the real you, giving every candidate a fair chance and finding the right person for the role.

  2. Using AI in Your Application

    When it comes to job applications, what matters most to us is you. We want to see your personality, your experience, and what excites you about joining our team. 

    We recognise that AI can be a helpful tool to support accessibility during the application process. If you choose to use AI for support, please read the instructions carefully and make sure your application is written in your own words, reflecting your genuine skills, knowledge, experience and enthusiasm.

    We’re looking forward to hearing your story.

  3. How to use AI Effectively and Responsibly

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    • Proof-read to highlight grammar or spelling errors

    • Provide inspiration if you're finding it difficult to find the right words to explain something

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  4. Do’s and Don’ts for Using AI in the Recruitment Process

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    • Ask AI to help tidy up your writing or clarify structure

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    • Remove your individuality, we want to hear your voice