Horticulture and Forest School Lead

Aspris Children's Services Limited; United Kingdom; On-site; GBP 20,000 - 25,000; Full time

Job summary

A children's services organization is seeking a Horticulture and Forest School Leader to join its Education team in the UK. The successful candidate will teach students outdoor living skills, engage with school animals, and oversee Forest school sessions. The role requires a Level 3 Forest School qualification, a love of animals, and strong communication skills. This position offers a supportive environment focused on promoting the well-being of children and provides ongoing career development opportunities.

Benefits

Exclusive access to reward and discount scheme

Blue Light card

Comprehensive induction

Ongoing training and career progression

Pension scheme

Paid for enhanced DBS

Wellbeing support

Cycle to work scheme

Qualifications

• Experience with students having complex needs is preferred.
• Ability to inspire students through creative outdoor activities.
• Understanding of Health & Safety requirements.

Responsibilities

• Teach and coach students on outdoor living skills and activities.
• Oversee the planning and delivery of Forest school sessions.
• Promote a culture of inclusion and safeguard children's welfare.

Skills

Forest School qualification

Animal care knowledge

Excellent communication

Creativity

Understanding of statutory guidelines

Relationship building

Adaptability

Behaviour support

Education

Level 3 Forest School qualification

Job description

Kingsbrook School is recruiting for a Horticulture and Forest School Leader to join our Education team. We are looking for a versatile, resilient and committed person, who can adapt their practice wherever necessary to support across all key stages and all levels of need.

Our Benefits

• Exclusive access to reward and discount scheme
• Blue Light card
• Comprehensive induction
• Commitment to your ongoing training and career progression
• Pension scheme
• Paid for enhanced DBS
• Wellbeing support
• Cycle to work scheme and more!

Kingsbrook School is a small specialist independent school for 11-18 year old students with social, emotional, mental health difficulties and complex learning needs. Kingsbrook School is a unique setting within a small holding, so a love of animals is a must. Experience of working with students with complex needs is preferred as is a good understanding of the emotional and attachment needs of children.

The role of Forest School Leader is to teach and coach our SEN/ ASD students on all outdoor living skills and activities such as gardening, camping, growing vegetables and looking after the outdoor environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Understand, share and promote the school’s vision, aims and ethos.
• Shared care of school animals (including 2 guinea pig, 1 leopard Gecko, 3 chickens and 3 large pigs).
• Be responsible for and oversee the day-to-day planning and delivery of Forest school sessions with support from the Deputy Headteacher (Curriculum, Teaching & Learning).
• Contribute positively to the school by engaging with the wider community.
• Work collaboratively with other staff in the school department and supporting whole school events.
• Promote a culture of inclusion within the school community, place explicit value on diversity in all forms and appreciate all views expressed.
• Promote and safeguard the welfare of children and young people, complying with the school’s safeguarding policy at all times and adhering to all other policies set out by the school.

We Are Looking For Someone Who

• Has a level 3 Forest School qualification.
• Has a love of animals and a knowledge of animal care.
• Is creative and fun.
• Has the ability to build positive relationships and inspire students.
• Has excellent communication, both written and verbally.
• Has a good understanding of the current statutory and regulatory guidelines related to outdoor learning.
• Can be encouraging and adaptable, so all our students participate with forest school activities.
• Lead on enrichment qualifications for our students such as gardening awards and possible new opportunities.
• Plans a range of age-appropriate outdoor activities including games and crafts.
• Maintains accurate records for the external qualifications, assessments and planning cycle.
• Can ensure Health & Safety requirements are met.
• Has a positive approach to behaviour support, viewing all behaviours as communication.

As part of Aspris Children’s Services we are immensely proud of the career pathway and training we can offer you. As long as you can demonstrate the values needed for a role, transferable skills and life experience, we will give you all the training and support you need to progress!

Above all, we provide a supportive and collaborative working environment where you can flourish in your career and feel incredibly rewarded by helping those who need it most.

Aspris is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. All applicants must be willing to undergo safeguarding screening appropriate to the post, including checks with Disclosure & Barring Service and at least 2 references which cover the last 3 years; for all our services we will request references from where you have worked with either Children or Vulnerable Adults. Please be advised that references may be requested prior to interview for roles within our Schools.