Farm Assistant

Medway Food Partnership; Chatham; On-site; GBP 26,000 - 29,000; Part time

Job summary

Abbey Court School is seeking a Supply Farm Assistant on a casual, as-needed basis to cover the school farm and maintain welfare of farm animals in the absence of a permanent Farm Assistant. You will work alongside existing farm staff and provide essential support to keep the farm operations running smoothly.

Experience in agricultural or animal management is desirable; comprehensive training will be provided.

Qualifications

• Experience in farm animal welfare

Responsibilities

• Maintain welfare of farm animals in the absence of a permanent Farm Assistant
• Support permanent farm staff and operate as part of the school farm team
• Be flexible for weekend, early morning and evening work

Job description

SUPPLY FARM ASSISTANT

Medway Scale, Grade D2

£26,016 - £29,071 pro-rata (£13.48 to £15.07 p/h)

We are looking for experienced people to work on a casual (as and when required) basis in the role of…

To provide cover to the school on an adhoc basis by maintaining responsibility for the welfare of the farm animals in the absence of a school employed Farm Assistant. You will work alongside permanent members of farm staff, supporting them.

Postholders will require appropriate experience and it would be desirable if they held a relevant agricultural / animal management qualification. Flexibility will be key, as contact at short notice will sometimes be necessary and this post will include weekend, early morning and evening work.

Abbey Court caters for pupils aged 3-19 with Severe Learning Difficulties, and is currently located on 2 Strood sites; Cliffe Road (Nursery, Primary and new Secondary provision designed and purpose-built specifically to meet the needs of our pupils) and Rede Court Road (Further Education). The Cliffe Road site is also home to our school farm!

Comprehensive training will be provided.

We are fully committed to safeguarding and protecting the children at Abbey Court School. All posts are subject to a safer recruitment process which includes enhanced criminal records and barring check, scrutiny of employment history, robust referencing and other vetting checks. It is an offence to apply for this role if you are barred from engaging in regulated activity with children. Our safeguarding system is underpinned by a range of policies and procedures which encourage and promote safe working practices across the school. On joining you will be required to undergo continuous professional development to maintain safe working practice, and safeguard our children and young people.

Closing date: Sunday, 4 October 2026

Visits to the farm will be welcome.