Relief General Teaching Assistant

The Forest School; Calcutt; On-site; GBP 13,000 - 17,000; Part time

Job summary

The Forest School is seeking a Relief General Teaching Assistant to support pupils with differentiated learning activities and their personal, medical and emotional wellbeing. The role offers term-time hours and school-day alignment (08:45–15:45, Monday to Friday).

It is ideal for students or parents seeking local, flexible work with a meaningful impact. Candidates should understand child development, have experience with children, and demonstrate strong communication and teamwork alongside

Qualifications

• Understanding of child development and needs of children with learning, sensory or physical difficulties.
• Experience working with children and young people.
• Excellent communication and team-working skills, plus reading, writing, numeracy and ICT abilities.
• Emotional resilience when managing challenging or complex behaviours; ability to find solutions under pressure.
• Commitment to safeguarding, professional boundaries, equality and diversity.

Responsibilities

• Support pupils with differentiated learning activities and learning goals.
• Support pupils’ personal, medical and emotional wellbeing.
• Step in to support teachers and students when regular staff are off.

Skills

Child development

Experience with children

Communication & teamwork

Emotional resilience

Safeguarding & equality

Job description

Join Our Team at The Forest School!

Looking for rewarding work that fits around your life?

Whether you are balancing university studies, family commitments or simply looking for local, flexible work that makes a real difference, joining our Relief Teaching Assistant team at The Forest School offers the perfect balance.

The Role

As a Relief General Teaching Assistant, you will play a vital role in supporting the learning and development of our students. You’ll step in to support our teachers and students when regular staff are off, helping create a positive, engaging learning environment.

What the role offers:

• Flexibility: Work on the days that suit your schedule - ideal for fitting around university timetables, childcare or other part-time commitments.
• Term-Time Work: Enjoy weekends, bank holidays and school holidays off.
• School Run Friendly: Work hours that naturally match the standard school day (typically 08:45 - 15:45 Monday - Friday, Term Time Only. Flexible/reduced hours will be considered.
• Gain Valuable Experience: Perfect for students (especially Education, Psychology, or Healthcare) looking to build hands‑on classroom experience or parents wanting to re‑enter the workforce.

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.

What We Are Looking For

• An awareness of child development and the unique needs of children with learning, sensory or physical difficulties.
• Any previous experience working with children and young people.
• 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.

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.

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.