Specialist Teaching Assistant - Forest School and Horticulture

Belper School and Sixth Form Centre; Openwoodgate; On-site; GBP 22,000 - 28,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

LGPS Pension Scheme

CPD opportunities

Employee Assistance Programme

Free Parking

Staff Social events

Job summary

Belper School and Sixth Form Centre seeks a permanent Specialist Teaching and Learning Assistant for its ACCESS department to deliver Forest School and horticulture programs. The role focuses on supporting students with SEND and behavioral needs both in the garden and indoor settings.

Key responsibilities include implementing learning programmes and fostering an environment for engagement and achievement. The school is committed to safeguarding children and values staff wellbeing highly, which

Qualifications

• Experience of delivering Forest School, horticultural, or outdoor learning programmes.
• Ability to build positive support for students with a range of SEND and behavioral needs.
• Commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children.

Responsibilities

• Implement agreed learning programmes on a one-to-one and small group basis.
• Support students within garden and outdoor learning provision.
• Provide learning and pastoral support within the indoor ACCESS provision.

Skills

Outdoor learning

Horticulture

SEND support

Behavioral understanding

Education

GCSE English and Maths at Grade 4 (C)

Job description

The Role

We are looking to appoint a permanent Specialist Teaching and Learning Assistant - Forest School and Horticulturewithin our Alternative Curriculum Centre for Extended Student Support (ACCESS) department.

This rewarding role involves implementing agreed learning programmes on both a one-to-one and small group basis within our ACCESS inclusion provision, particularly within the garden, outdoor learning and Forest School areas. The successful candidate will support students to overcome barriers to learning by understanding SEND and behavioural needs and recognising the positive impact that learning in a natural environment can have on student wellbeing, engagement and achievement.

The successful candidate will have experience of delivering Forest School, horticultural, gardening, conservation or outdoor learning programmes for young people and will have a genuine passion for outdoor learning in all weathers. Alongside supporting students within our garden and outdoor learning provision, the role will also involve providing learning and pastoral support within the indoor ACCESS provision,

• Experience of working with young people in a Forest School, horticultural, outdoor education or similar setting.
• GCSE English and Maths at Grade 4 (C) or above, or equivalent qualifications.
• The ability to build positive support for students with a range of SEND and behavioural needs.
• A commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people.

What we offer :

• LGPS Pension Scheme ( Employer contribution 20.80%)
• CPD opportunities
• Access to our Employee Assistance Programme who offer a range of wellbeing and advice services
• Free Parking
• Staff Social events and activities

We know that to provide the very best education, we must recruit, retain and invest in exceptional staff. Staff wellbeing is a genuine priority and is closely linked to our high levels of retention. We are proud that Ofsted’s May 2025 inspection recognised the positive culture we have built:

“Staff are proud to work at the school. They appreciate leaders’ consideration of their work-life balance. They feel well led and managed”

Belper School and Sixth Form Centre is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people, and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. As this post involves regulated activity, references and online searches will be conducted for shortlisted candidates, successful appointments are subject to an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check and relevant recruitment checks that comply with guidance in the most recent version of Keeping Children Safe in Education. We are committed to equality of opportunity in employment and services