Specialist Teaching Assistant - Forest School and Horticulture
Belper School and Sixth Form Centre, Belper, Derbyshire, DE56 0DA20 days remaining to apply
Start date details
As soon as possible following pre-employment checks
Closing date
12 October 2026 at 9am
Date listed
22 September 2026
Job details
Job role
- Teaching assistant
Visa sponsorship
- Visas cannot be sponsored
Working pattern
- Part time
Contract type
- Permanent
Full time equivalent salary
- £25,472.00 - £27,163.00 Annually (Actual) DCC/NJC Pay Grade 8 (Pay Points 12-15). Actual salary £25,472 - £27,163 per annum. Working 37 hours per week, 39 weeks per year (38 weeks term time plus 5 INSET days). This is a term-time only Plus 5 INSET days position, with salary paid in 12 equal monthly instalments and inclusive of holiday pay and bank holiday entitlement.
Specialist Teaching Assistant - Forest School and Horticulture job summary
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”
How to Apply
Please read the attached Recruitment Pack for further details. If you feel you have the skills detailed in the Person Specification and the role appeals to you please apply via the `Apply now` button on My New Term.
Applications will be reviewed regularly; we reserve the right to close this advert before the closing date. Early applications are recommended.
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
Further information about the job
Commitment to safeguarding
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 these post involve 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.
Applying for the job
This school accepts applications through their own website, where you may also find more information about this job.
CVs will not be accepted for this application.
View advert on external website (opens in new tab)About Belper School and Sixth Form Centre
- Organisation type
- Local authority maintained school, ages 11 to 18
- Education phase
- Secondary school
- Size
- 1212 pupils enrolled
- Age range
- 11 to 18
- Ofsted report
- View Ofsted report
Belper School and Sixth Form Centre is an exceptional place. We combine strong academic standards, a rich and inspirational curriculum, and a caring and supportive ethos to provide the best education we can for our wonderful students. We also like to think we are a great place to work, and Ofsted agreed. (“Staff are happy and proud to work at the school. Leaders are considerate of staff’s workload and well-being” OFSTED, 2022)
The school has been proud to serve the thriving community of Belper and surrounding villages for
over 50 years. Belper in Derbyshire is on the edge of the Peak District with good road and rail links to
other parts of the country. It is situated in the Derwent Valley World Heritage Site and has previously won the Best High Street and Market Town in the UK award. Belper has a creative and inclusive community and hosts an annual arts festival and a very popular Pride event.
Our vision is encapsulated in the phrase “Create Your Future. Be who you are and become who you aspire to be” and this vision guides our educational direction. We want to provide our students with the qualifications, knowledge, and skills they need to have happy and successful lives. We know that our students leave Belper well prepared to thrive as adults and we are proud of what our alumni achieve; from international athletes, to space engineers, from creative professionals, to self- employed entrepreneurs and much, much more. To provide the best education we can, we understand how important it is to recruit, retain and invest in our staff. We see our school as one community of families, students, teaching staff, support staff, leadership staff, and governors all
working together.
We prioritise staff wellbeing and understand how this links to our staff retention remaining high. The Senior Leadership Team are always visible in school, working hard to bring out the best in our staff. We have a strong and committed governing body who take their roles and responsibilities seriously.
At Belper School we believe passionately in an inclusive approach to education and in promoting the personal development of every student. We have a distinctive ethos, which marks us out from many other schools. While we value academic achievement and strong exam results, we also believe it is our duty to create responsible citizens for the future. Self-respect and respect for others are central to that belief.
We keep the students at the school central to the decisions we make. Visitors often comment on the very positive feel of the school. Their conduct in lessons and around the site is excellent. (“Lessons
are calm and orderly” OFSTED, 2022) Belper is a school where teachers can truly focus on teaching.
School location
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