Forest School Teaching Assistant

Forest School Teaching Assistant Required in Poole

Position: Forest School Teaching Assistant
Location: Poole
Job Type: Full Time/Part Time
Salary: £12.82 - £14.72 per hour
Start Date: Immediate

Are you passionate about supporting young people with Special Educational Needs in an outdoor, hands-on learning environment? Do you have a love for nature and want to help students build practical skills that will benefit them in their future careers? If so, GSL Education have a perfect role for you to work as a Forest School Teaching Assistant in a local school based in Poole.

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. 

About the Role:

As a Forest School Teaching Assistant, you’ll support SEN students in outdoor learning, assist with lessons in horticulture, animal care, and more, while providing emotional support. You’ll help create a safe, engaging environment and support students in developing life skills for their future.

Key Responsibilities:

• Assist in the planning and delivery of outdoor-based, nature-inspired lessons for students with SEN.
• Support students in developing vocational skills in areas such as horticulture, agriculture, equine care, and animal husbandry.
• Help students build confidence, independence, and resilience through practical, hands-on activities.
• Provide tailored support to meet individual learning needs, adapting approaches as necessary.
• Foster a safe, inclusive, and positive environment for all students.
• Assist with behaviour management, supporting students to navigate challenges and succeed in their learning journey.
• Work closely with the teaching team and external professionals to monitor student progress and development.
• Promote the principles of the Forest School ethos – encouraging exploration, risk-taking, and a connection with nature.

Requirements:

• Experience working with young people with Special Educational Needs (SEN), ideally in an outdoor or vocational setting.
• Passion for outdoor education and helping students connect with nature.
• A proactive, patient, and empathetic approach to supporting students.
• Strong communication and teamwork skills.
• Ability to adapt to a variety of learning needs and provide personalised support.
• Experience or willingness to work in areas such as horticulture, agriculture, or animal care is desirable.
• A relevant teaching assistant qualification (e.g., Level 2 or Level 3) is preferred, but not essential.
• A commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults.

Benefits:

• The opportunity to work in one of the most unique and beautiful educational settings in Dorset.
• Be part of a supportive and dedicated team focused on making a real difference in the lives of young people.
• Ongoing professional development and training.
• The chance to develop your skills in outdoor education and vocational teaching.
• Competitive salary and benefits package.

If you are passionate about supporting young people with SEN in an outdoor, hands-on environment, and want to make a positive impact in their lives as a Forest School Teaching Assistant in Poole, we would love to hear from you! Please submit your CV now!

To work with GSL Education as a Forest School Teaching Assistant, you need:

• Have the right to work in the UK.
• Have an up-to-date CV with two relevant references from within the last 2 years.
• Have a DBS registered to the update service or be happy to apply for one with GSL Education.

Why Choose GSL Education:
At GSL Education, we understand the importance of a supportive and fulfilling work environment.

 Joining the team means benefiting from:

1. Competitive pay rates.
2. A bespoke service tailored to your needs.
3. Dedicated Consultants providing ongoing support.
4. Opportunities for professional development and training.

Please be advised that this role requires strong knowledge and understanding of safeguarding and child protection and that successful applicants must satisfy all background safer recruitment checks including an enhanced DBS on the update service.

For more information or to apply, please contact Tom Harvey at GSL Education as soon as possible. To work with GSL Education as a Forest School Teaching Assistant, please apply via the application link or visit (url removed) to apply online.