Job Description

Job Title: Equine Teaching Assistant (TA)
Location: Poole
Salary: 13.68 - 16.12 per hour (Depending on experience)
Start: Immediate or September 2025
Contract: Full time/Permanent
Are you passionate about horses and eager to support young people with Special Educational Needs? Do you want to combine your equine knowledge with a meaningful role that makes a real impact?
An inspiring specialist education setting in Poole is seeking a committed Equine Teaching Assistant to join their team. In this role, you will combine your passion for horses with supporting young people with Special Educational Needs in a hands-on, outdoor learning environment.
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:

• Support students with special educational needs during equine-related sessions, including grooming, mucking out, feeding, and stable management.
• Assist instructors in delivering practical equine lessons that promote vocational skills and personal development.
• Encourage students to build confidence and independence through structured interactions with horses.
• Ensure the safety and wellbeing of both students and animals during all equine activities.
• Maintain clean, organised, and safe stables and outdoor learning areas in line with animal welfare standards.
• Provide tailored support to individuals or small groups, adapting activities to meet diverse learning needs and abilities.

Requirements:

• Practical experience working with or caring for horses, with knowledge of stable management and equine safety procedures.
• A genuine interest in supporting young people with special educational needs, including those with autism, learning difficulties, and communication needs.
• Confidence working outdoors in all weather conditions across a large rural campus.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build trusting relationships with students and staff.
• A calm, patient, and flexible attitude with a proactive approach to supporting vocational learning.
• Ideally need a valid driving license and be willing to drive.
• An enhanced DBS certificate on the update service or willingness to apply through GSL Education.

Benefits:

• Be part of a forward-thinking team that uses vocational and therapeutic approaches to transform lives.
• A supportive, inclusive environment where every day makes a difference.

If you're an enthusiastic Equine Teaching Assistant, looking for your next role in Poole, we'd love to hear from you.
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.
To apply for this Equine Teaching Assistant role, please click 'apply now' to submit your full and up-to-date CV, and one of our dedicated consultants will be in touch.