Horticultural Teaching Assistant

Job Title: Horticultural Teaching Assistant

Location: Poole
Salary Range: £13.68 - £16.12 per hour (Depending on experience)
Start time: Immediate
Contract: Full-Time, Permanent

Do you have a love for horticulture and a drive to support young people with Special Educational Needs (SEN)?

GSL Education are in search of a caring Horticultural Teaching Assistant to join a dynamic and welcoming school in Poole. This is a fantastic chance to work in a stunning outdoor setting, where you will help students build valuable life skills and gain hands-on experience in horticulture and related vocational areas.

About the School: The school is an education setting based for 16 – 25+ years old with Special Educational Needs. It is based on 350 acres of beautiful Dorset countryside. The school operates enterprise activities and vocational teaching methods to bridge the gap between education and employment for young people and adults with SEN in Dorset and the local area. The school focuses on vocations like horticulture, agriculture, equine skills and animal care as well as many more, to enrich the lives and education of its pupils.

Responsibilities of the Horticultural Teaching Assistant (TA):

• Assist SEN students in practical horticultural tasks like planting, maintaining, and harvesting crops, ensuring understanding and engagement in key techniques.
• Provide individual or small group support, tailoring approaches to meet diverse learning needs.
• Work with staff to prepare and deliver accessible, engaging horticultural lessons, combining theory with practical experience.
• Foster student independence and confidence by encouraging responsibility in hands-on tasks.
• Maintain a safe, organised environment, ensuring tools and equipment meet health and safety standards.
• Build positive relationships with students, supporting their academic and emotional growth.
• Collaborate with teachers, therapists, and enterprise staff to deliver a holistic learning experience.
• Track student progress, contributing to reports and IEPs.
• Help students apply classroom learning to real-world horticultural tasks.
• Support outdoor learning across the school's 350-acre site, offering varied and dynamic experiences.

Requirements of the Horticultural Teaching Assistant (TA):

• Experience supporting individuals with SEN is highly desirable.
• Passion for horticulture and interest in vocational education, especially in gardening, plant care, and land-based studies.
• Ability to work effectively with students of varying SEN levels, showing patience, empathy, and understanding.
• Knowledge or qualification in horticulture, agriculture, or related fields is beneficial.
• Strong communication skills, able to adapt approaches and build positive relationships.
• Commitment to promoting independence and life skills, supporting academic and practical growth.
• Comfortable working outdoors in all weather conditions, assisting with hands-on tasks.
• Collaborative team player with teachers, therapists, and support staff.
• A full UK driving licence is desirable for potential off-site tasks.
• Level 2 or 3 Teaching Assistant qualification or relevant certifications in SEN or horticulture preferred but not essential.
• Have an updated CV and an enhanced DBS registered to the update service (or be willing to apply for one).

If you are an enthusiastic and compassionate Horticultural Teaching Assistant (TA) ready to inspire and support students in their learning journey, we encourage you to apply and join our client school in Poole.

Please be advised that this role requires a strong knowledge and understanding of safeguarding and child protection, and that successful applicants must satisfy all background safer recruitment checks; including providing an enhanced DBS certificate registered on the update service or completing an application for a new check.

As an ethical, inclusive, and independent recruitment agency, GSL Education is committed to providing quality teaching and support staff in schools across the UK.

For more information or to register your interest in the ‘Horticultural Teaching Assistant (TA)’ role, or to be considered, please click ‘apply now’ to submit your full and up-to-date CV, and one of our dedicated consultants will be in touch.