29 days remaining to apply

  • Start date details

    As soon as possible

  • Closing date

    13 December 2025 at 11:59pm

  • Date listed

    14 November 2025

Job details

Job role

  • Other support roles

Visa sponsorship

Visas cannot be sponsored

Working pattern

Full time: All year round, 36 hours, 5 days per week – (3 days from 8:30am to 4:00pm, and 2 days from 8:30am to 4:30pm)

Contract type

Permanent

Full-time equivalent salary

Scale SC1B, Spine Point 7, £29,391.00 per annum

What skills and experience we're looking for

We are seeking a dedicated and enthusiastic Farm Assistant to join our team. In this vital role, you will support the education and welfare of learners, contributing to their personal and social development through meaningful farm-based experiences. You will share responsibility for the wellbeing and pastoral care of learners, while carrying out practical tasks to ensure the health, safety, and nutritional needs of the farm animals are met. Working closely with the Principal, Senior Leadership Team, and colleagues across the school, you will play an important part in maintaining a safe, purposeful, and inspiring learning environment that reflects the Academy’s aims and values.

Key Responsibilities:

  • Support Teaching and Learning: Plan and assist with farm-based learning activities that meet the needs of individuals and groups, using varied teaching styles to promote progression, engagement, and achievement.
  • Resource and Environment Management: Ensure all farm equipment and learning resources are well organised, safe, and accessible, maintaining high standards of health, safety, and animal welfare.
  • Support for Learners and Staff: Promote positive behaviour and emotional wellbeing, working collaboratively with staff, volunteers, and students to create an inclusive and respectful learning environment.
  • Assessment and Quality Assurance: Support the accurate assessment of learners’ progress and achievement in accredited land-based qualifications, including Animal Care and related courses.
  • Professional Development: Participate in school-based training and take responsibility for ongoing professional development and performance management activities.

Key Requirements:

  • Minimum of two years’ experience working on an educational or similar farm, with sound knowledge of animal husbandry.
  • Experience supporting young people, including those with special educational needs or challenging behaviour.
  • Proven ability to work effectively as part of a team and communicate clearly with staff and learners.
  • Strong practical skills, reliability, and the ability to undertake manual farm tasks safely and efficiently.
  • Commitment to safeguarding, equality of opportunity, and promoting positive learner outcomes.
  • Willingness to work flexible hours, including occasional weekends or holidays, and to undertake relevant training such as First Aid certification.

What the school offers its staff

OHCAT is an exciting, forward-thinking organisation, and we offer many benefits to attract and keep our staff, contributing towards maintaining and improving wellbeing, and encouraging our required behaviours, achievements, values, and skills. Below is just a selection of the benefits available to our employees:

Rewards & Benefits:

Pathways for progression within the trust, ensuring you can grow and thrive in a supportive and inclusive environment.

  • Pension Scheme - you will be enrolled in either the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) or the Teachers' Pension Scheme (TPS), both offering life cover and financial protection for your family.

  • Salary Sacrifice Schemes (Cycle Scheme and Home Electronics Scheme)
  • Employee Wellbeing - We support employee wellbeing with access to counselling, mental health support, generous leave, flexible working, and enhanced parental leave including Employee Assistance Programme, MyGym Discounts, Corporate Eyecare Scheme
  • Employee Discounts (Blue Light Card, Costco Membership, Discounts for Teachers, and more)
  • Other (Season Ticket Loan and Employee Referral Scheme)

Further information about the job

The candidate will be required to undergo a full enhanced DBS check and must be eligible to work in the UK.
Visas cannot be sponsored.
If you're interested in teaching or training to teach in England as an international citizen, we can help you understand your next steps.

Commitment to safeguarding

Nightingale Community Academy and Orchard Hill College and Academy Trust are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

Appointments made will be subject to an Enhanced Disclosure via the Disclosure and Barring Service.

This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and the amendments to the Exceptions Order 1975, 2013 and 2020.

Applying for the job

Apply for the job by following the link below.

CVs will not be accepted for this application.

View advert on school website (opens in new tab)

Upload additional documents

If you need these documents in an accessible format, please contact the school.

About Nightingale Community Academy

School type
Academy, ages 5 to 19
School size
137 pupils enrolled
Age range
5 to 19
Ofsted report
View Ofsted report

Nightingale Community Academy is a school for boys aged between 5 and 19 who have an Education Health and Care Plan (EHCP) or Statement of SEN for social, emotional and mental health (SEMH) needs.

Some learners also have Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), or other learning difficulties. At Nightingale Community Academy we are committed to raising the expectations of our learner group, removing barriers to learning and delivering attainment at the highest level.

“Since the start of the school in September 2016, the principal and his leadership team have shown a tireless determination to improve the education it offers. Their ‘no excuses’ approach means that nothing other than the highest quality of education is good enough”. (Ofsted February 2019) – (The full Ofsted Report, is now available on our website).

Nightingale Community Academy is committed to a multi-disciplinary approach to meeting learners’ needs, and promotes high quality professional development for all staff.

School location

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