General Teaching Assistant - Forest School at Canford Heath Infant School

Dorset Council; Poole; On-site; GBP 4,000 - 5,000; Part time

Job summary

A local authority in Poole is seeking a dedicated General Teaching Assistant - Forest School to support students across multiple schools. The role requires fostering emotional wellbeing and includes assisting in an engaging learning environment. The successful candidate will work part-time for 8 hours a week, Monday to Thursday, during term time only. With great training opportunities and a supportive team, this is an excellent chance for career development in a friendly community-focused setting.

Benefits

Superb professional development opportunities

Supportive and friendly staff

Good pension contributions

Employee assistance programme

Qualifications

• Experience working with a range of student needs.
• Able to motivate and support learning effectively.
• Committed to fostering emotional wellbeing.

Responsibilities

• Assist in providing a safe and engaging learning environment.
• Support students in their development and individual needs.
• Cooperate with staff across multiple schools.

Skills

Experience working with diverse needs

Motivating and supporting learning

Passion for inclusion

Support students' emotional wellbeing

Teamwork

Positive energy

Can-do attitude

Resilience

Job description

‘TEACH Poole’ Multi-Academy Trust

Ad Astra Infant School

Haymoor Junior School

Canford Heath Infant School

Canford Heath Junior School

General Teaching Assistant - Forest School

Canford Heath Infant School

Grade D (Point 5 to 6)

£25,584 to £25,989 per annum pro-rata (Actual salary, £4,593.56 to £4,666.28)

Term time only

8 hours per week, Monday to Thursday, 1:00pm to 3:00pm

Permanent

Start date: ASAP

The TEACH Poole Multi Academy Trust was formed in April 2015. All four of our wonderful schools are graded as good or outstanding schools by Ofsted. We are extremely popular, over-subscribed, forward-thinking schools with supportive staff and fantastic children.

We are looking to appoint a permanent Forest School Teaching Assistant to join our Trust with the skills to work across the whole primary school age range. The successful candidates will be employed by the Trust as a whole and as such, can be expected to carry out their duties at any of the four schools. However, the current position will be based at Canford Heath Infant School.

If You

• have experience of working with pupils with a range of needs
• have a range of strategies to motivate and support learning
• have a passion for inclusion and supporting pupils with additional needs to succeed in a classroom
• believe in supporting pupils emotional wellbeing
• are keen to work in a supportive, learning environment
• work well in a team
• are able to bring energy and positivity to the role
• a can-do attitude to overcoming obstacles
• preparedness to go above and beyond
• resilience and stamina

We Can Offer

• fun, friendly and supportive staff who get on well together
• rights’ respecting pupils with excellent attitudes to learning and outstanding behaviour
• superb opportunities and specialist training for career professional development within our Trust
• a fantastic induction programme
• enviable support at all levels, and a proactive approach to staff well-being, work-life balance and care for each person as an individual, including the ability to take time off during term time
• beautiful school grounds and welcoming learning environments
• highly competitive rates of pay and excellent pension contributions by the Trust
• employee assistance programme through Health Assured; and
• long service awards

The successful candidate must be willing to undertake the Forest School qualification (if not qualified). This will require attending training sessions outside normal working hours; these additional hours will be paid at the appropriate overtime rate.

Applicants should also be aware that, once the qualification has been completed, they will be expected to remain in post for a minimum of two years. If the postholder leaves before this period, the school reserves the right to reclaim the cost of the qualification.

Please contact the HR Department on 01202 380015 for more information.

Applications should be made online via MyNewTerm at: https://mynewterm.com/jobs/141762/EDV-2025-CHIS-69752

We do not accept CV applications.

Closing date: 19 December 2025

Interviews: 13 January 2026

Personal information provided by candidates will be securely filed electronically and password protected, with paper copies locked in filing cabinets in a locked office. They will not be released to third parties outside the school without the consent of the person concerned, except where there is a legal requirement to do so. If the application does not proceed, the data will be securely disposed of after 6 months. Any concerns regarding data gathered in the recruitment process should be directed to the Data Manager – Hayley Hemmings at [email protected]

These schools are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Rigorous checks will be undertaken of the successful applicant’s background credentials including an enhanced DBS check. Online searches will be undertaken on all shortlisted candidates. Suitability to work with children will be explored at interview.