Join our Talent Pool at The Forest School

The Forest School has always been a very special place. Located in Knaresborough, we are a warm and friendly special school for children aged 3 to 16 with a diverse range of Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND). Our students have complex needs, including severe learning difficulties (SLD), profound and multiple learning difficulties (PMLD), autism, and physical and sensory conditions. Our children are amazing, and they teach us something new every single day! This is an exciting time to join us as we continue to grow since joining the Wellspring Academy Trust in September 2023.

We are launching our Talent Pool to find self motivated, organised, and caring people to support our wonderful students. If you want a job where every day is different, where you work alongside a supportive team, and where you can make a real difference, we want to hear from you!

We value life balance and offer a variety of contract choices to suit you including permanent, full time, part time, and flexible casual/relief positions.

Choose Your Path of Impact

• Teaching Assistant (General or Relief): You will work inside our classrooms, helping children with their everyday learning and activities. Whether you want a permanent role or a flexible casual contract to fit around your lifestyle, you just need a passion for helping children smile, learn, and grow. This is a fantastic place to build your career—with us, you can advance over time to become an Advanced Teaching Assistant, a Pastoral Teaching Assistant, or a Tutor.

• Personal Care Assistant: You will look after the everyday comfort and well being of our students, helping them feel safe, happy, and as independent as possible. Because our children have a variety of physical and sensory needs, this is a hands-on, active role where you will be on your feet and moving around, perfect for anyone who prefers a lively, active day over sitting at a desk!

• We would also love to hear from people interested in joining our catering, cleaning, and estates teams to help keep our beautiful school running smoothly.

The Perks of the Job

Looking for a career with a real purpose? These roles offer the perfect starting point for college or university graduates, career changers, or anyone who wants a job that gives back.

• Full, Expert Training: New to special education? Don't worry. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds and offer a full induction and ongoing training. We provide clear career paths for anyone wanting to grow with us.

• A Supportive Team: You will work in close knit, friendly classroom teams where you are heavily supported. We value our people, and team working is at the heart of our culture.

• A Great Balance: You get to make a life changing impact during the school day, and leave work completely at the door when you clock out to enjoy your evenings and weekends.

Why Join Our Talent Pool?

When you register for our support staff talent pool, you aren't just joining a waiting list, you are positioning yourself at the front of the line for a rewarding career. When a suitable vacancy opens, our talent pool is our first port of call and our recruitment team will be in touch. We will keep you up to date with the latest news and activities within our school on a regular basis.

Fill in an application form today and help us support our pupils by clicking Apply Now!