Forest School Leader

The role of a subject teacher/Instructor is a key role in the school. Our core purpose is to teach in ways which ensure that our vulnerable students learn successfully and enjoy their learning. This involves far more than the transmission of knowledge and skills. It is predicated on the quality of the teacher‑student relationship. It assumes that the teacher/instructor is able to create the conditions in which learning can flourish. It requires the teacher to “know” each of their students so as to be able to lead them to new levels of understanding and achievement.

This job description sets out the general expectations which our school has of its teaching/Instructor staff. It is recognised that many colleagues will seek to contribute in ways which exceed the requirements of this document. Such contributions will always be welcomed and encouraged and it is school policy to enable all staff to participate as fully as possible in the development and improvement of the school.

As a Forest School Lead, you will plan, deliver, and manage outdoor learning experiences that inspire curiosity, confidence, and independence in children. You will play a key role in bringing learning to life outdoors, supporting children’s development through exploration, creativity, and hands‑on experiences in nature. The Forest School Leader will work alongside staff to deliver the Forest School and Outdoor learning. You will have a Forest School Level 3 qualification, an up‑to‑date Outdoor First Aid qualification and a minimum of one year post qualifying experience working with children.

Responsibility and Accountability

• Be responsible for and maintain the Forest School area, plan, prepare and deliver purposeful and productive activities for children under Forest School guidelines and relevant risk assessments.
• Work under direction/instruction of the Head teacher to ensure that Forest School/outdoor learning is on offer daily.
• Select and use a range of different resources and teaching styles, appropriate to the forest school experience.
• Promote positive management of behaviour in the Forest School/outdoor learning environment; establish routines and boundaries to ensure the safety and good behaviour of the children.

Responsibility and accountability relate both to quality of teaching, the quality of learning and to student outcomes.

Key Policies and Guidance

Consistency around the things which really matter lie at the heart of our students’ success. Every subject teacher is required to know and to observe the key policies which set out the school’s expectations of its teachers. These are:

• Our School Behaviour Policy
• Learning and Teaching Policy
• Assessment, Monitoring and Evaluation Policy
• Prerequisites of a CPA Lesson
• Using ICT to improve learning policy
• Setting and mixed ability teaching guidelines.

A number of other policies and procedures, designed to assist subject teachers are available in shared areas and on the school website.

Relationships

Students in their teaching groups, parents, the subject teaching team as a whole, support staff, including learning coaches, the school SENCO and Student Support Staff, Senior Leadership Team, and all colleagues in and outside of school.

As our Teacher/Instructor of Outdoor Education/Forest School and a vital part of our team, we require you to work closely with the Senior Leadership Team, and whole staff to help create, teach and quality assure our school curriculum that inspires students to become effective lifelong learners by:

• Ensuring high standards of teaching and learning for all students in every lesson at the main site and in delivering lessons in a variety of external settings.
• Working with the Subject Leader to develop a curriculum vision and plan.
• Creating Schemes of learning which enable all students to become effective learners.
• Helping to deliver the Department vision and action plan.
• Taking part in the school development planning process to review and plan for year on year improvement.
• Contributing to discussions on course selection and implementation.
• Playing a full role in the delivery of the Academy’s enrichment curriculum.
• Collaborating effectively with partner schools to ensure a smooth transition for new students.
• Being an advocate and enthusiastic user of the Academy’s information technology systems.
• To meet all of the required Teaching Standards.

To provide a secure and safe learning environment for all students so that they develop into self-confident and self-motivated learners by:

• Contributing to the delivery of the ContinU Plus Academy vision.
• Contributing to assemblies and enrichment in a way which supports the Academy ethos.
• Maintaining the highest standards of student behaviour so that all students are able to learn effectively.
• Providing a proactive presence around the school embodying the Academy’s high expectations to students and staff.
• Ensuring productive communication with parents so that they remain well informed about their children’s progress and achievements as well as any incidents of poor behaviour.
• To uphold and actively support the Academy’s policies and procedures on the safeguarding of young people.

To set challenging targets for all students and staff, and provide the support, guidance and accountability framework necessary to achieve these targets by:

• Implementing whole school and departmental student assessment systems which enable student underachievement to be identified and acted upon at an early stage.
• Coordinating effective intervention strategies which support students so that they make the progress that is expected of them.
• Identifying excellent practice within the department and coordinating the sharing of practice through a planned and systematic timetable of observations, collaborative planning and team teaching.