Teaching Assistant​/Farm Assistant

Teaching Assistant / Farm Assistant – SEMH School

Location:

Wandsworth
Setting: SEMH School (vulnerable students)

Start Date:

Friday 5th June (CVs by Thursday lunchtime)

Hours:

Monday–Friday, 8:30am–3:45pm (term time only)
Pay: £108 per day

Trial/observation days available now – see the farm and therapy work in action before you commit.

Education and Training – Teaching Assistant / Farm Assistant – Wandsworth

Are you passionate about supporting vulnerable young people through alternative, therapeutic education?

Do you want to combine classroom support with hands‑on farm work to help students with Social, Emotional, and Mental Health (SEMH) needs re‑engage with learning?

We are recruiting a Teaching Assistant / Farm Assistant for a specialist SEMH school in Wandsworth. This unique role supports vulnerable students who have experienced trauma, disengagement from education, and behavioural challenges. The school uses farm‑based, therapeutic activities to build confidence, routine, and emotional regulation.

This is not a desk job – you will be mucking out animals, lifting heavy loads, working in all weather, and getting dirty, all while building trusting relationships with students who need consistency and calm adult role models.

Unlike a standard TA role, you will split your time between:

• Classroom and 1:1 support – helping vulnerable students regulate, focus, and engage
• Farm duties – working alongside students to care for animals, maintain the farm, and build practical skills

The farm is a therapeutic environment. Many SEMH students struggle in traditional classroom settings but thrive when given responsibility, physical activity, and the chance to connect with animals.

You will be comfortable with all aspects of farm work, including:

• Mucking out animals
• Heavy lifting
• Working in all weather conditions
• Working with sheep, goats, ponies, small animals, and reptiles
• Wearing old clothes and not minding getting dirty

It is essential that you are comfortable with all aspects of farm work – this is not a light‑touch role. The students will see you getting stuck in alongside them, which builds trust and models resilience.

• Behaviour understanding – gain insight into SEMH, trauma, and disengagement
• Alternative education strategies – learn how farm‑based interventions support emotional regulation
• Relationship building – become a trusted, consistent adult in a non‑judgemental environment
• Safeguarding experience – work closely with vulnerable young people
• Practical farm skills – animal care, manual handling, outdoor working

Teaching Assistant duties:

• Support vulnerable students 1:1 and in small groups
• Help pupils re‑engage with learning and build positive routines
• Provide SEMH support to improve focus and behaviour
• Work with teachers and therapists to deliver tailored support strategies
• Encourage a culture where education is seen as valuable and achievable

Farm Assistant duties:

• Muck out animal enclosures (sheep, goats, ponies, small animals, reptiles)
• Carry out heavy lifting (feed, bedding, equipment)
• Work outdoors in all weather conditions
• Support students in caring for animals safely and responsibly
• Wear old clothes and work in a physically dirty environment
• Be comfortable with all aspects of farm work – no exceptions

The students you support are vulnerable but capable of change – your role is to show up consistently, get your hands dirty, and help them see their own value.

Essential:

• Fully comfortable with all aspects of farm work (mucking out, heavy lifting, all weather, all animals including reptiles)
• Willing to get dirty and wear old clothes
• Resilient, patient, and consistent
• Passionate about helping vulnerable young people succeed
• Able to build strong, trusting relationships

Desirable but not essential:

• Psychology, criminology, or education graduate
• Experience with SEMH, autism, or trauma‑informed practice
• Previous farm or animal care experience

No prior school experience required – attitude and intent are key. If you are willing to work hard outdoors and support vulnerable students, full training is…