32.5 hpw 39 weeks per year - Monday - Friday 8.30am - 3.30pm with a 30 minute unpaid break

Castle Hill Infant and Junior Schools are established schools based in Ipswich. We are part of a thriving multi-academy trust, ASSET Education. We are seeking to appoint a dedicated and motivated Higher Level Teaching Assistant to lead Forest School sessions effectively across the primary phase.

The Forest School ethos is based upon developing self esteem, confidence, independence and responsibility through hands-on learning experiences in a forest or natural environment. If this learning culture is something you have experience in or one which you believe in then this position could be for you.

Our Forest School is well resourced and utilises the wonderful space we have at Castle Hill. It includes mature trees which are popular with erecting shelters, hammocks and rope swings, an outdoor discovery den, bird hides, a fire pit and large log circle and a wonderful wild flower meadow! 

We are ideally looking for a member of staff with Forest School experience, however if you have a keen eye for working with nature and enjoy being outdoors (in all weathers) this could be the ideal role for you. 

The person that we are looking for needs to:

• be a consistently good / outstanding HLTA

• hold a level 3 Forest school qualification or be willing to work towards one

• be committed to achieving high standards

• be flexible and creative while building on children's interests

• enjoy being outdoors in all weathers and have a keen eye for working with nature

• relish the challenge of supporting pupils in an ambitious school

• is flexible and can use their own initiative, understanding a range of duties

• can work independently and as part of a team

• is resilient, hardworking and self-motivated

• can adapt to suit the needs of individual learners

• has the ability to manage change well, and support children in a variety of situations

• ideally hold a current Outdoor First Aid/paediatric first aid qualification

You will:

• liaise with teaching staff to plan and deliver Forest School support

• assist in developing each child's self-esteem and their personal and social skills

• Ensure Health & Safety requirements are followed, including Risk Assessments which are continually checked and updated

• supervise and support children with varying needs during their Forest school sessions.

• help create and maintain an engaging, fun and supportive environment, demonstrating flexibility in response to varying/changing needs of children.

• support small groups of children with outdoor based activities

We reserve the right to close this vacancy early should we receive an overwhelming response.  All candidates are advised to refer to the job description and person specification before making an application.

This post will be reporting directly to and will be based at Castle Hill Infant and Junior Schools.

For further details, or to arrange an initial discussion with the Deputy Headteacher, Danny Howden,  please contact: 

Joanne Sparkhall, Office Manager, jsparkhall@castlehillprimary.org.uk 01473 741758 

Please also see our website – https://www.castlehillprimary.org.uk/ 

In line with our safeguarding practices we are unable to accept CVs. 

ASSET Education is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and the amendments to the Exceptions Order 1975, 2013 and 2020.

The successful candidate will have to meet the requirements of the job description and will be subject to pre-employment checks including  an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) and children's barred list check, health check, online search and  satisfactory references. Copies of our safeguarding and safer recruitment policies are available on request.