Animal Care Teaching Assistant

Job Title: Animal Care Teaching Assistant (TA)
Location: Poole
Salary Range: £13.68 - £16.12 per hour (Depending on experience)
Start time: Immediate
Contract: Full-Time, Permanent

Do you love animals and have a heart for helping young people with SEN thrive?

If so, GSL Education seeks a passionate and hands-on Animal Care Teaching Assistant to join a unique educational setting in Poole that supports young people aged 16–25+ with Special Educational Needs (SEN). Set on 350 acres of scenic countryside, this school uses practical and vocational learning, including animal care, to empower students and prepare them for fulfilling lives and careers.

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 operate 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 Animal Care Teaching Assistant (TA):

• Support students with Special Educational Needs (SEN) in animal care-related activities, such as feeding, grooming, and caring for animals, ensuring students understand and engage in animal husbandry practices.
• Assist in delivering vocational lessons in animal care, helping students gain practical experience and develop the skills necessary for future employment in the sector.
• Provide one-on-one or small group support to students, tailoring assistance to their individual needs and ensuring they can fully participate in activities.
• Work closely with teaching staff to plan, prepare, and adapt animal care lessons that are both engaging and accessible to students with various learning abilities.
• Encourage students to take responsibility for their learning and personal development, promoting independence, confidence, and self-esteem through hands-on tasks.
• Foster positive relationships with students, offering guidance, motivation, and emotional support to help them overcome challenges.
• Assist in maintaining a safe and clean learning environment, including the care and maintenance of animals and the upkeep of relevant equipment and facilities.
• Help students apply theoretical knowledge in practical settings, connecting classroom learning with real-world experiences.
• Collaborate with the wider team, including teachers, therapists, and enterprise staff, to create a holistic, multidisciplinary approach to learning.
• Monitor and track student progress, providing feedback and contributing to reports and reviews of student development and wellbeing.

Requirements of the Animal Care Teaching Assistant (TA):

• Previous experience working with young people or adults with Special Educational Needs (SEN) is highly desirable.
• A passion for animal care and a strong interest in vocational education, particularly in the fields of animal care, agriculture, or land-based studies.
• Ability to work effectively with students who have varying degrees of SEN, demonstrating patience, understanding, and empathy.
• Strong communication skills, able to adapt approaches to suit the individual needs of students and foster positive relationships.
• A commitment to promoting independence and life skills in students, helping them grow both academically and personally.
• Ability to work in outdoor environments and in all weather conditions, supporting students in practical, hands-on activities across the school’s 350-acre site.
• Experience or qualification in animal care, horticulture, agriculture, or a related vocational field is advantageous.
• Collaborative mindset, with the ability to work as part of a team, including teachers, therapists, and other support staff.
• A full UK driving licence is desirable, as the school’s location requires travel for certain activities or off-site tasks.
• Level 2 or 3 Teaching Assistant qualification, or relevant certifications in animal care or SEN support, is beneficial 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 ‘Animal Care 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 are committed to providing quality teaching and support staff in schools across the UK. 

For more information or to register your interest in the ‘Animal Care 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.