General Teaching Assistant

The Forest School; Calcutt; On-site; GBP 18,000 - 24,000; Full time

Job summary

The Forest School is seeking a dedicated General Teaching Assistant to support learning and development for pupils with a range of needs at our well‑established special school in Knaresborough. You will work closely with Teachers to create inclusive activities and monitor progress, with emphasis on safeguarding and emotional wellbeing.

Role involves personal care and use of specialist equipment, partnering with safeguarding and support staff to ensure safe, engaging education for ages 3–16.

Qualifications

• Excellent communication and team-working skills, with strong reading and numeracy.
• Emotional resilience when managing challenging behaviours and safeguarding responsibilities.
• Commitment to safeguarding, professional boundaries, equality and diversity.

Responsibilities

• Learning & Participation: support tailored learning activities and feedback on pupil progress.
• Care & Wellbeing: assist with personal care and maintain records for medications.
• Therapy & Support: support use of equipment to implement care programmes.
• Behaviour & Engagement: apply positive behaviour strategies and support wellbeing.
• Environment & Resources: prepare classroom materials and assist with ICT.

Skills

Excellent communication

Team working

Emotional resilience

Safeguarding awareness

ICT abilities

Reading & numeracy

Education

NVQ Level 2 in Supporting Teaching and Learning

Tools

ICT tools

Job description

Join Our Team at The Forest School!

Are you passionate about making a real difference in the lives of children and young people?

The Forest School is looking for a dedicated and resilient General Teaching Assistant to join our supportive team.

The Role

As a General Teaching Assistant, you will play a vital role in supporting the learning and development of our students. You will work closely with our Teachers to create an inclusive environment where every child can thrive, regardless of their individual needs.

This is a physically demanding yet incredibly rewarding role. You will support pupils not only with their differentiated learning activities, but also with their personal, medical, and emotional wellbeing.

Key Responsibilities

• Learning & Participation: Support tailored learning activities, use structured observation to feedback on pupil progress and use careful questioning to boost thinking skills.
• Care & Wellbeing: Carry out vital personal care duties (including toileting, hygiene, dressing and feeding) and administer daily or emergency medication while maintaining meticulous records.
• Therapy & Support: Work with specialist equipment (e.g., hoisting, walking and lifting devices) to implement care and therapy programmes designed by professionals.
• Behaviour & Engagement: Apply positive behaviour management strategies and support the social and emotional wellbeing of our pupils.
• Environment & Resources: Prepare classroom materials, assist with ICT and escort pupils on educational visits.

What We Are Looking For

• An awareness of child development and the unique needs of children with learning, sensory or physical difficulties.
• Previous experience working with children and young people.
• An NVQ Level 2 in Supporting Teaching and Learning (or equivalent), or a willingness to achieve this within a reasonable timeframe.
• Excellent communication and team working skills, alongside strong reading, writing, numeracy and ICT abilities.
• Emotional resilience when managing challenging or complex behaviours and the ability to find solutions under pressure.
• An absolute commitment to safeguarding, professional boundaries, equality and diversity.

To review the full job description and person specification see attached supporting documents

Why Join The Forest School?

The Forest School is a well-established and highly regarded special school in Knaresborough, catering to pupils aged 3 to 16 with a range of complex special educational needs. We are committed to providing the highest quality education within a happy, caring, and safe environment where every individual is valued and encouraged to reach their full potential.

If you would like a role where every day is different, where the opportunity to make a difference to the life of our young people is appealing to you and if you would like to join a team of inspirational practitioners, then we would like to hear from you.

The Forest School and the wider Trust places a huge emphasis on professional development and invests significantly in staff training at all levels. This means that, although experience of working in an SEND setting would be an advantage, specialist support and training will be provided for outstanding candidates wishing to make the career fulfilling move into special education.

Further information about our school can be found on our website here.

If you would like to discuss or find out more about this post, please contact [e-mail], Tel: [phone].

Wellspring Academy Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of our pupils. All posts are offered subject to enhanced DBS checks. References will be taken up and an online search carried out for shortlisted candidates, prior to attendance interview.

We are committed to equal opportunities and to promoting diversity. We want our people to reflect the diversity of our communities, and we welcome applications from people from all backgrounds, especially from under‑represented groups, including those from Black, Asian and minority ethnic communities.

If you are currently living overseas or have lived / worked overseas in the last five years please be aware that you will be required to provide an overseas criminal records check from the country/countries you have resided in, if you are the preferred candidate for the post.