Are you passionate about animal care, outdoor learning and helping young people thrive?
We are seeking an experienced and motivated Farm Assistant - Education Lead to join our growing therapeutic farm team. This is an exciting opportunity to play a leading role in developing and delivering high-quality educational and therapeutic provision within our unique farm environment, supporting pupils to build confidence, resilience, independence and practical life skills through meaningful engagement with animals, horticulture and the natural world.
As the lead practitioner for education on the farm, you will work closely with the Farm Manager and wider school team to shape and develop innovative learning opportunities that support pupils' personal, social, emotional and vocational development. You will also provide day-to-day leadership and support to the Farm Assistant (Education) team, ensuring a consistently high standard of provision across the farm.
About the role
This varied and rewarding role combines educational leadership, practical farming and therapeutic learning. Key responsibilities include:
- Leading the planning, delivery, evaluation and continuous development of farm-based educational and therapeutic programmes.
- Providing day-to-day supervision, mentoring and support to Farm Assistant (Education) staff.
- Developing engaging learning resources, schemes of work and practical activities that maximise the farm as a learning environment.
- Delivering meaningful educational experiences that promote pupil wellbeing, confidence, resilience, independence and vocational skills.
- Supporting the delivery and assessment of accredited Land-Based Studies programmes.
- Monitoring, recording and reporting on pupil engagement, progress and outcomes.
- Coordinating referrals into farm-based provision and helping to ensure programmes meet individual pupil needs.
- Maintaining high standards of animal care, welfare and husbandry.
- Contributing to horticultural projects, site development and the ongoing enhancement of the farm environment.
- Supporting community engagement through events, workshops, volunteer programmes and open days.
- Ensuring all activities are delivered safely and in line with safeguarding, health and safety and biosecurity requirements
During term time, you will lead practical learning sessions for pupils, helping them develop personal, social, emotional and vocational skills through meaningful farm experiences.
About you
We are looking for a passionate and capable individual with experience in animal husbandry and horticulture, alongside experience working with children and young people, ideally within educational, outdoor learning or therapeutic environments. You will have a strong understanding of how practical, farm-based experiences can support learning, wellbeing and personal development, particularly for young people with SEND.
You will be confident planning and delivering engaging educational activities, building positive relationships with pupils, and adapting your approach to meet a range of learning, emotional and behavioural needs. Strong practical skills in animal care, land management and site maintenance are essential, together with excellent organisational, communication and record-keeping skills. You will also have the ability to support, motivate and develop others, demonstrating positive leadership and coaching skills.
Ideally, you will hold a TA, LSA, Forest School, Outdoor Learning or equivalent qualification and have experience supporting children and young people with SEND. Knowledge of trauma-informed practice, outdoor learning approaches and accredited vocational learning would be advantageous. Previous experience supervising, mentoring or supporting staff, volunteers or groups would be highly desirable.
Salary range for 37 hours per week is £25,989 - £28,142 per annum dependent upon experience, plus an Additional Responsibility Allowance (ARA) of £2,250 per annum. Pay award pending. This is a full time, all year-round permanent position. Monday to Thursday: 8.30am - 4.30pm Friday: 8.30am - 4.00pm, with occasional weekend cover and bank holidays on a rota.
About Coombe House
Coombe House is located just outside Shaftesbury and set in 55 acres of beautiful countryside. Coombe House School supports children and young people with social communication, emotional and learning needs, all of whom have an EHCP. Our therapeutic farm plays a central role in supporting pupil wellbeing, engagement and achievement. This is an exciting opportunity to contribute to the continued development of a unique provision that combines education, therapy, vocational learning and community engagement within a working farm environment.
About Coombe House Farm
Our farm is an evolving therapeutic care farm created to support the young people of Coombe House School with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) and our local community. It is a space designed with purpose, heart and vision, where learning happens through meaningful, hands-on experiences and where every individual is valued, supported and encouraged to grow.
The setting is designed to support the social, emotional, educational and mental health needs of those who use it, offering a calm and supportive space where individuals can develop confidence, communication skills, independence and positive relationships. Engagement with animals, nature and routine farm work plays an important role in supporting wellbeing and personal development.
The farm began its journey in 2024, starting as a simple idea: to create a nurturing outdoor environment where young people could build confidence, develop practical skills and engage in nature-based learning. Since then, the farm has flourished into a vibrant, developing space shaped by the needs of our pupils and the passion of our growing team.
We currently steward around 3 acres at the top of the Coombe House site, offering a safe and contained environment for animal care, horticulture, outdoor tasks and therapeutic activities. In 2025, we expanded to include an additional 4 acres of meadowland at the bottom of the site, a beautiful natural area that supports biodiversity, wildlife education and soon, beekeeping opportunities.
What we offer:
A workplace set in beautiful surroundings.
Competitive salary and benefits.
Free, confidential employee assistance programme.
Enhanced Pension Scheme (10% employers' contribution).
Continuous professional development and training
Use of leisure facilities (gym and swimming pool), at specified times.
Death in Service (3 x salary).
Supportive leadership team and multidisciplinary colleagues.
Wellbeing support, including qualified Mental Health First Aiders.
This post involves working with children or vulnerable adults and/or having access to significant information about them and will be subject to an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check.
Interviews to be held: Ongoing
Please contact Claire Taylor, Assistant HR Manager on 01747 449858 for any queries, or Michelle Heywood, HR Manager on 01747 449856, or email [email protected]
We are committed to safeguarding and expect everyone who works in our school (and visitors to our school) to share this commitment. We take all safeguarding and welfare concerns seriously and encourage our pupils to talk to us about any worries they may have. We will always act in the best interests of the child. The successful applicant must be willing to undergo child protection screening, including checks with past employers and an enhanced DBS.
