Forest School Instructor

How would you like to be paid for five days but only work four*?

Our colleagues’ wellbeing is at the heart of everything we do at OFG, so we’re always looking for new ways to improve everyone’s work/life balance. We’re taking part in a trial of the 4-Day Working Week, meaning that you could be working one day less a week (or equivalent).

4DWW will be rolled out within our school, when we have a full complement of staff, and within the next year – so there’s never been a more exciting time to join us #teamOFG!

Job Title:     Forest School Instructor

Location:    Heath Farm School, Ashford

Salary:         £28,485.00 per annum

Hours:         39 hours per week, Monday to Friday

Contract:    Permanent, Term Time only

UK Applicants only. This role does not offer sponsorship.

As part of our continued growth, we now have a fantastic opportunity for a Forest School Instructor to join our close-knit team at Heath Farm School, part of Acorn Education

About the role 

The successful applicant will work alongside The Outdoor Learning Lead and Outdoor Learning LSA to deliver Outdoor Learning at Heath Farm School.

• Work with the Outdoor Learning Lead and senior staff in the observation, assessment and planning cycle and to manage and prepare resources.
• Engage with and support pupil’s learning and generally support pupils with set activities, independent problem solving and creative play.
• Supervise pupils at all times and this may include lunchtimes as required.
• To manage support staff and volunteers effectively, ensuring they embrace the ethos of Outdoor Learning.
•  To ensure the health and safety of all participants, including writing and checking risk assessments for the sites, tools and activities used.
• To regularly check and maintain tools and other equipment.
• To keep records as appropriate of emergency contact details for participants, permission forms and achievement of pupils.
• Accompany teaching staff and pupils on visits, trips and out of school activities as required and take responsibility for a group under the supervision of the teacher or senior staff.

Essential

• Experienced in working with pupils in education or play work.
• Experienced in working with pupils with SEN.
• Ability to motivate and inspire pupils across the range of age, ability and confidence.
• To be clear, confident, fair, with good behaviour management skills appropriate to the age of the pupil
• GCSE Maths and English grade 4/c and above.
• Level 3 Forest Schools Programme Leadership Certificate (or at least Level 2 working towards Level 3).
• Hold a current Paediatric First Aid Certificate, (or be willing to undertake the training) 

Desirable 

• Paediatric First Aid 
• Science qualification

About us

We are an independent SEN school that offers a unique and stimulating environment, where every pupil is able to make outstanding progress in their personal development and enjoy success in their education. 

Our students present with a wide range of needs, including social and emotional issues, learning difficulties, mental health problems and associated conditions.  However, they are able to enjoy extraordinary outcomes and be happy at school. All classes have excellent ratios of at least 2:1, students to adults. Typically, classes have between 6-8 students.

As an independent SEN school, we are far removed from the bureaucracy found in so many other schools and we are able to abandon ineffective and traditional methods in favour of new, highly effective and tailored initiatives – essentially, we do what we know is right for the students in our care.

Acorn Education is the UK’s leading independent provider of specialist education and care for vulnerable pupils and young people. As part of Outcomes First Group, we are leading our sector in setting and delivering new approaches that provide measurable outcomes for those in our care.

We are really proud to say that in 2024, Outcomes First Group were officially certified as a ‘Great Place to Work’ for the fifth year running.

Why join Acorn Education?

Benefits

Your health and wellbeing are important to us, so you’ll get an exceptional reward package including:

• Life Assurance
• Pension scheme with options to increase your contributions
• “Your Wellbeing Matters” – access to a wide range of first-class mental health support services and physical health checks

And a market-leading benefit offering through our Flexible Benefits Platform, Vista, enables you to choose the package that’s right for you, including:

• A wide range of health, wellbeing, and insurance benefits
• 100’s of discount options valid in the UK and abroad
• Cycle to Work Schemes
• Electric Car Purchase Scheme
• Critical illness cover
• Family Growth Support - inclusive benefits package covering enhanced maternity and paternity leave, along with paid fertility treatment support.

And that’s not all, we place the outcomes of the pupils and vulnerable young adults in our services at the heart of everything we do, so you’ll wake every day in the knowledge that your role will have a significant positive impact on the lives of others.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of pupils and young people. All applicants will be subject to social media checks and successful applicants to a fully enhanced DBS.

*You’ll work 80% of your contractual hours for 100% of your pay, giving you more time to do the things that make you happy. 

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