Biodynamic Gardener
Department: School & College (students 5-25 years)
Location: The Sheiling Ringwood
Employment Type: Permanent, Part-Time
Hours & Working Patterns: 15 hours per week (worked across 2 weekdays), Term Time (41 working weeks, including training days)
Salary: £12,014-£13,628 per annum (already pro-rated to reflect part-time hours and term-time only working – full-time and full-year equivalent would be £30,037-£34,070)
Closing Date: 30th November 2025
Interview Date: 4th December 2025
Start Date: To be agreed
We are an independent residential special school and college for students (aged 5 to 25) with severe and moderate learning difficulties and disabilities, set in a stunning sustainable and eco-friendly 40-acre site.
An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Biodynamic Gardener to join our team!
Supporting the essential life skills development of students, the role involves resourcing and running sessions for students to undertake a variety of gardening activities through liaison with teaching staff, working with individual students and small groups. The Sheiling has a well-established site and garden area, and this role involves the day-to-day running and maintenance of the Sheiling garden, developing and leveraging the potential of this area as a therapeutic space and undertaking preparation, planting, growing and harvesting activities. The raising of fruits and vegetables, as well as the maintenance of the garden is undertaken following organic gardening and biodynamic practices and therefore demonstrable experience and knowledge of the associated approaches and techniques is key to undertaking this role.
The role involves working with children and young people with SEND, autism and moderate to severe learning difficulties. You will be someone with the empathy, understanding and demonstrable capacity to form effective working relationships with children and young people, able to coach, encourage and motivate their efforts within the garden. Some students are residential and the role can involve advising and supporting the houses on suitable activities, helping to plan and resource these so that students can benefit from wider work and learning in the garden beyond the hours of the school day.
The role involves working in accordance with safe working principles and the successful applicant will be required to have a sound knowledge of health and safety. The role involves working in a cooperative and collegiate way with a range of onsite professionals including our onsite Facilities team and education leaders. There are also opportunities to contribute to festivals and the wider life of the school and college. The role operates 52 weeks of the year and this is designed to support effective upkeep and maintenance of the garden.
To apply, please complete the online application form:
or complete the paper form available as a download at the bottom of this page.
If you experience any issues or have any questions regarding the application process, please email:
applications@thesheilingringwood.co.uk
The Sheiling Ringwood is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young adults and expects all staff to share this commitment. An enhanced DBS and Barred List Check will be required. Staff are also prohibited from promoting extremist/radical religious or one-sided political views whilst working at The Sheiling Ringwood (TSR) and/or whilst participating in activities associated with their employment.
This role is UK based and your right to work will need to be established as part of the appointment process. We will also carry out an online search for all shortlisted candidates, in line with the latest Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE) guidelines.