Outdoor/Sport/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). If the trial is a success, we’ll be rolling the 4DWW out across the Group – so there’s never been a more exciting time to join #teamOFG!

Location: Wessex Lodge School, Frome, Somerset BA11 4LA

Salary: £24,000.00 per annum (not pro rata)

Hours: 40 hours per week, Monday to Friday

Contract: Permanent, Term Time Only

UK applicants only. This role does not offer sponsorship.

We now have a fantastic opportunity for an Outdoor/Sport/Forest School Instructor to join our close-knit team at Wessex Lodge School, part of Acorn Education.

About the role

To teach pupils across the full age and ability range present in the school 5-18, in order to ensure the highest possible standards of students' achievement, personal development and wellbeing.

Key Responsibilities

• Ensure the vision for the school is clearly articulated, shared, understood and acted upon effectively by all.
• Work within the school community to translate the vision into agreed objectives and operational plans, which will promote and sustain school improvement.
• Demonstrate the vision and values in everyday work and practice.
• Motivate and work with others to create a shared culture and positive climate.
• Ensure creativity, innovation and the use of appropriate new technologies to achieve excellence.
• Assist the PE/ODE Leads in ensuring that the strategic planning takes account of the diversity, values and experience of the school and community at large.
• Developing further and establishing and monitoring an outstanding alternative education provision.

Who we are looking for

The ideal candidate will have the following qualifications/attributes:

• Essential
• Enjoys being active, outdoors and thinking ‘outside of the box’
• Creative
• Experience of teaching young people
• Desirable
• QTS
• PE qualifications
• ODE qualifications
• Forest school qualifications

About Us

Wessex Lodge School currently comprises of three sites: Wessex Lodge Primary School located in Kilmington, Wessex Lodge Secondary School located in Frome, and Newmead Farm, located in Maiden Bradley. All sites allow students the opportunity to explore the curriculum alongside a range of subject paths, including animal care, horticulture, DT, and forest school, as well as sporting activities.

Our students are aged between 6 and 18 years old. Each student has individual needs and, supported by the THRIVE approach, through a proven range of practitioner-led services and our talented staff, we can help to improve life outcomes for every student.

The established staff team come from a variety of previous occupations and have a vast range of individual skills, which can be utilised within this school. So, if you have an interest and/or qualifications in animal care, horticulture, construction, outdoor education, forestry or any other specific trade or hobby, we would love to hear from you!

Acorn Education is the UK’s leading independent provider of specialist education. 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 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. All applicants will be subject to social media checks and successful applicants to a fully enhanced DBS.

We reserve the right to close the vacancy early if we receive a high volume of suitable applications.

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. 4DWW is subject to successful completion of probation and is not a contractual benefit.