Horticultural Teaching Assistant

GUARDIAN SELECTION LIMITED; Wareham; On-site; Full time

Job description

Job Title: Horticultural Teaching Assistant

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

Are you passionate about horticulture and supporting young people with Special Educational Needs (SEN)?

GSL Education are seeking a dedicated and enthusiastic Horticultural Teaching Assistant to join a unique and supportive school environment in Wareham. This is an exciting opportunity to work in a beautiful outdoor setting, helping students develop key life and vocational skills in horticulture and related activities.

About the School: The school is an education setting 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, among others, to enrich the lives and education of its pupils.

Responsibilities of the Horticultural Teaching Assistant (TA):

• Assist students with Special Educational Needs (SEN) in practical horticultural activities, such as planting, maintaining, and harvesting crops, ensuring students understand key techniques and engage in productive tasks.
• Support the delivery of vocational horticulture lessons, helping students develop practical skills that contribute to future employment in the sector.
• Provide one-on-one or small group support to students, adapting your approach to meet their individual learning needs and abilities.
• Work closely with teaching staff to prepare and deliver engaging and accessible horticultural lessons, integrating both theoretical knowledge and practical experience.
• Encourage students to take responsibility for their own learning, fostering independence and confidence through hands-on tasks and decision-making.
• Help maintain a safe, organised, and productive learning environment, ensuring tools, equipment, and plant care practices meet health and safety standards.
• Build positive relationships with students, providing guidance and support in both academic and emotional development.
• Collaborate with other team members, including teachers, therapists, and enterprise staff, to offer a holistic and well-rounded learning experience.
• Monitor and record student progress in horticultural activities, contributing to reports and individual education plans (IEPs).
• Assist students in applying theoretical knowledge to practical horticultural tasks, ensuring they understand how classroom lessons translate to real-world applications.
• Support students in outdoor learning, making use of the school’s expansive 350-acre site to deliver a varied and dynamic learning experience.

Requirements of the Horticultural Teaching Assistant (TA):

• Experience supporting young people or adults with Special Educational Needs (SEN) is highly desirable.
• A strong passion for horticulture and a keen interest in vocational education, particularly within the fields of gardening, plant care, and land-based studies.
• Ability to work effectively with students with varying levels of SEN, demonstrating patience, understanding, and empathy.
• Knowledge or qualification in horticulture, agriculture, or a related vocational field is beneficial.
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to adapt approaches to suit the individual needs of students and build positive, trusting relationships.
• A commitment to promoting independence and life skills in students, supporting their growth in both academic and practical settings.
• Comfortable working outdoors in various weather conditions, assisting students in hands-on tasks across the school's expansive grounds.
• A collaborative approach to working as part of a team, including teachers, therapists, and other support staff.
• A full UK driving licence is desirable, as the role may require travel for certain off-site tasks or activities.
• A Level 2 or 3 Teaching Assistant qualification or a relevant certification in SEN support or horticulture is an advantage 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 Wareham.

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.