Lead Tutor

outdoors group; South Hams; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

A community-focused educational organization in Devon seeks a Lead Tutor to manage a group staff and deliver learner-centered educational opportunities. The ideal candidate will support students with SEMH and ASD needs and must have strong behavior management skills in an outdoor setting. The role emphasizes a commitment to safeguarding and improving outcomes for students in a woodland learning environment.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of primary/secondary pastoral and curriculum support.
• Ability to differentiate and create bespoke opportunities.
• Successful experience working with SEMH difficulties and ASD.

Responsibilities

• Directly manage group staff and ensure learning standards.
• Lead and direct the curriculum on a day-to-day basis.
• Plan and deliver project-based learning.

Skills

Experience in supporting young people with SEMH and ASD needs

Excellent behaviour management

Interpersonal and communication skills

Creativity and versatility in engaging learners

Education

5 GCSEs grade A-C or equivalent

Outdoor specific paediatric First Aid

Job description

Overview

The Outdoors Group is a pioneering ‘for purpose’ organisation based in Devon, providing opportunities for children, young people and adults to access education, training and fun experiences in outdoor settings. We aim to create a fun and fantastic place to work with a strong emphasis on work-life balance within a community of like-minded people, focusing on opportunities for all our learners, customers and staff.

The Outdoors School is an Independent Special School based entirely outside in a woodland setting for learners with SEMH and ASD needs. We have a Lead Tutor vacancy in our South Brent site. We believe in developing the whole learner, not just their academic ability, using a project-based method that enables the learner to be autonomous while contributing to a well-rounded education based on skills for lifelong learning and personal development.

We are looking for talented individuals with experience in supporting young people with SEMH and ASD needs, and with a strong ability to support their pastoral needs. Flexibility and adaptability are essential as some learners may have experienced early life trauma.

For all roles, a DBS check and references are required. The Outdoors Group Ltd is committed to safeguarding all staff, children, young people and vulnerable adults involved in its activities and in promoting their welfare.

Statutory/Regulatory responsibilities

• Ensure to comply with the Company’s Safeguarding Policy and Procedures.
• Ensure to comply with the Company’s GDPR Policy and Procedures.
• Ensure to comply with the Company’s Health and Safety Policy and Procedures.
• Ensure all mandatory training required for the role and Company is complete.
• Ensure all Company Policies and Procedures issued through People HR are read, understood and signed.

Line Management Responsibilities

You will be part of the Middle Management Team (MMT).

You will be expected to:

• Directly line manage the group staff within your allocated group.
• Have oversight for your allocated group over –
• Delivery of a learner-centred learning opportunities across the Curriculum for assigned learners.
• Assessment: literacy and numeracy baselining.
• Pastoral needs for your assigned tutor group, provide crisis management and needs-based support for assigned learners and be support for other staff requiring support.
• Differentiate lesson plans and schemes of work to apply to individual needs across your allocated group.
• Oversight of groups’ finances and budget.
• Play a role within the schools MMT.
• Lead and direct the curriculum in your group on a day-to-day basis, coordinating daily activities and staff deployment.
• Provide support, guidance, coaching and mentoring for other staff in your group.
• Run daily staff briefings (morning and end of day).
• Report to colleagues in the MMT and in the school SLT.
• Disseminate information from the SLT.

Main duties and responsibilities

The duties outlined in this job description are in addition to those covered by The Outdoors School policies and procedures. They may be modified by the Executive Head Teacher, with your agreement, to reflect or anticipate changes in the job, commensurate with the salary and job title.

• Work closely with the Core Intervention Lead when developing learning opportunities and planning sessions for the learners.
• Ensure teaching and learning and curriculum standards are being met.
• Engage in Quality Assurance of activities and processes.
• Be the first point of call for concerns during the day.
• Be part of crisis response on a day-to-day basis.
• Planning and delivery of school project-based learning.
• Support learning across all curriculum elements: Literacy, Numeracy, SEMH, PHSE, Forest Skills, STEM, Physical and Creative, through the implementation and delivery of our personalised SEMH curriculum and project-based learning.
• Prepare and differentiate resources.
• Complete and maintain individual learning pathways records and ensure all learners are aware of their next steps.
• Ensure opportunities to meet EHCP targets.
• Utilise the Accelerated Reader Programme.
• Provide written reports for other colleagues/professionals (e.g. prior to EHCP review meetings).
• Ensure opportunities are provided for learners within their individual learning styles.
• Use creative ways to assess and record progress.
• Contribute to individual IBSPs and APDRs.
• Maintain contact with home, including supporting the Home Learning Environment.
• Complete registers and monitor attendance and absences.
• Keep track of group budgets for food, learner resources and rewards.
• Assess and plan next steps for learners in the assigned tutor group using the Individual Behaviour Support Plans, incorporating SEMH development.
• Plan and source additional support for assigned learners including access to play therapy, speech and language support, literacy support, therapeutic counselling, and any other needs-based support to promote growth and personal development.
• Lead on pastoral needs for the assigned tutor group, provide crisis management, and needs-based support for assigned learners.
• Have DDSL responsibilities for safeguarding duties within your group.
• Engage in staff supervision and appraisal processes.
• Engage in critical reflective practice and participate in CPD opportunities, developing and sharing ideas and best practice for training and delivery.
• Ensure that learners always experience a supportive and positive staff team.

Knowledge, Skills & Experience (Skills, Knowledge & Experience)

• Knowledge of Primary/Secondary Pastoral, Curriculum, Assessment and Welfare support.
• Teaching and learning skills with a commitment to critical reflection and professional development.
• Pastoral skills with a strong emphasis on solution-focused approaches.
• A learner-focused approach and ability to differentiate and create bespoke opportunities according to learner needs.
• Successful recent experience of working with primary or secondary learners with SEMH difficulties and ASD/PDA.
• Excellent behaviour management and knowledge of needs-based education.
• Ability to differentiate and extend learning opportunities using different learning pathways.
• Creativity and versatility in engaging learners by creating resources and using identified strategies to support their needs.
• Reflective and responsive to the needs of learners, recognizing potential barriers to learning and seeking to overcome these.

Well-developed interpersonal and communication skills (written and oral).

• Knowledge of behaviour intervention and support practices.
• Knowledge of inter-agency working.
• Experience of working with learners with challenging behaviour outdoors.
• Previous experience working within outdoor education or Forest School settings.
• Teaching experience.

Personal Qualities

• Demonstrate a commitment and passion for the Forest School ethos.
• Resilience to working outdoors in all weathers.
• Enthusiasm and drive for improvement.
• Ability to work successfully as part of a team.
• Commitment to improving outcomes for children and families.
• Commitment to safeguarding and safe practice.
• Commitment to Equal Opportunities.
• Determination and the highest expectations of work and behaviour.
• Sense of humour.
• Forward-thinking.

Qualifications & Training

• 5 GCSEs grade A-C or equivalent.
• Willingness to undergo training the organisation feels is appropriate.
• Outdoor, Adventure or Forest School specific paediatric First Aid.