Animal Care Teaching Assistant

Job Title: Animal Care Teaching Assistant (TA)\\n Location: Poole\\n Salary Range: £13.68 – £16.12 per hour (Depending on experience)\\n Start time: Immediate \\n Contract: Full-Time, Permanent\\n\\nDo you love animals and have a heart for helping young people with SEN thrive? \\n\\nIf 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.\\n\\nAbout 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. \\n\\nResponsibilities of the Animal Care Teaching Assistant (TA): \\n\\nSupport 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.\\nAssist in delivering vocational lessons in animal care, helping students gain practical experience and develop the skills necessary for future employment in the sector.\\nProvide one-on-one or small group support to students, tailoring assistance to their individual needs and ensuring they can fully participate in activities.\\nWork closely with teaching staff to plan, prepare, and adapt animal care lessons that are both engaging and accessible to students with various learning abilities.\\nEncourage students to take responsibility for their learning and personal development, promoting independence, confidence, and self-esteem through hands-on tasks.\\nFoster positive relationships with students, offering guidance, motivation, and emotional support to help them overcome challenges.\\nAssist in maintaining a safe and clean learning environment, including the care and maintenance of animals and the upkeep of relevant equipment and facilities.\\nHelp students apply theoretical knowledge in practical settings, connecting classroom learning with real-world experiences.\\nCollaborate with the wider team, including teachers, therapists, and enterprise staff, to create a holistic, multidisciplinary approach to learning.\\nMonitor and track student progress, providing feedback and contributing to reports and reviews of student development and wellbeing.\\nRequirements of the Animal Care Teaching Assistant (TA):\\n\\nPrevious experience working with young people or adults with Special Educational Needs (SEN) is highly desirable.\\nA passion for animal care and a strong interest in vocational education, particularly in the fields of animal care, agriculture, or land-based studies.\\nAbility to work effectively with students who have varying degrees of SEN, demonstrating patience, understanding, and empathy.\\nStrong communication skills, able to adapt approaches to suit the individual needs of students and foster positive relationships.\\nA commitment to promoting independence and life skills in students, helping them grow both academically and personally.\\nAbility to work in outdoor environments and in all weather conditions, supporting students in practical, hands-on activities across the school’s 350-acre site.\\nExperience or qualification in animal care, horticulture, agriculture, or a related vocational field is advantageous.\\nCollaborative mindset, with the ability to work as part of a team, including teachers, therapists, and other support staff.\\nA full UK driving licence is desirable, as the school’s location requires travel for certain activities or off-site tasks.\\nLevel 2 or 3 Teaching Assistant qualification, or relevant certifications in animal care or SEN support, is beneficial but not essential.\\nHave an updated CV and an enhanced DBS registered to the update service (or be willing to apply for one).\\nIf 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.

\\n\\nPlease 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.\\n\\nAs an ethical, inclusive, and independent recruitment agency GSL Education are committed to providing quality teaching and support staff in schools across the UK. \\n\\nFor 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