Forest School and Outdoor Activities Instructor in Wigan

Job Description Statement

This job description provides an outline of the duties and responsibilities of the role, and the necessary skills and knowledge required to perform them as at the date it was created. By applying for this role, the candidate accepts that over time this job description may be subject to change as the candidate's duties and job evolves or as any changes to the school arise, this will be in consultation and discussion with the candidate. It will periodically be reviewed as part of ongoing continuing professional and school development. In addition, it may be amended at any time after consultation with you.

Safeguarding Statement

Expanse Learning is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. All post holders are subject to satisfactory disclosure and clearance prior to employment.

It is unlawful for Expanse Learning to employ anyone who is barred from working with children. It is a criminal offence for any person who is barred from working with children to apply for a position at Expanse Learning. All applicants will be made aware that providing false information is an offence and could result in the application being rejected, or summary dismissal if the applicant has been selected, and referral to the police and/or the DBS.

Equality Statement

We are committed to achieving equal opportunities in the way we deliver services to the community and in our employment arrangements. We expect all employees to understand and promote this policy in their work.

Employees will be recruited based on their qualifications and experience to do the work to be performed, regardless of sex, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, marital or civil partnership status, race, colour, ethnic or national origin, nationality, religion or belief, political opinion, age, pregnancy & maternity, disability or trade union membership status.

Health and Safety

All employees have a responsibility for their own health and safety and that of others when carrying out their duties, and must support the school’s health and safety policies.

Job Details

We are looking for a passionate and enthusiastic Forest School Instructor to join our specialist team. You will support the Forest School Lead in planning and delivering engaging outdoor learning experiences for pre and post-16 students with special educational needs, promoting confidence, independence, communication, and wellbeing through nature-based activities. The ideal candidate will have experience supporting learners with additional needs, and a patient, creative, and nurturing approach. This is a rewarding opportunity to make a meaningful difference in a supportive and inclusive environment. The post is primarily based at our Forest School centre, Deanwood House, Lafford Lane in Upholland.

The Purpose

The Instructor is expected to:

· Facilitate purposeful outdoor activities including Forest School for pre-16 and post-16 students.

· Innovate and devise imaginative ways of teaching students.

· Encourage students to participate in a wide range of physical activities and forest school sessions.

· Support the Forest School Lead in using different resources and teaching styles, appropriate to the session.

· Support the Forest School Lead with positive management of student behaviour including establishing routines and boundaries to ensure a safe experience for students.

A driving license is required for this position to drive students in the company minibus.

Application

If you are interested in applying for this position please follow the link to our job opportunities page and complete the job application provided: https://www.expanselearning.co.uk/job-opportunities/

Should you require any further information or support in applying for this vacancy, please contact [email protected].

Please note that school will be closed for summer break until Monday 24th August, so our response may be delayed during this period.

The Job Description

1. Job Purpose including main duties and responsibilities:

Work under the guidance of the Forest School Lead using experience and expertise in outdoor activities and Forest School Learning in the Outdoor Environment, in an agreed system of supervision to:

• Help to implement agreed practice with individuals and groups of students, in Forest School sessions.
• Work with the Forest School Lead in the observation, assessment and planning cycle and to manage and prepare resources.
• Engage with and support student’s learning and generally support students with set activities and independent problem solving.
• Supervise students at all times and this may include lunchtimes as required.
• Accompany teaching staff and students on visits, trips and off-site activities as required.

2. Supervision

• Working under direction/instruction of the Forest School Lead.

3. Creativity and Innovation

• Working as part of a team, the post holder will have opportunities to work creatively with students in a defined framework.
• Contribute to creating an interesting menu of activities for students to experience and learn new skills.
• Encourage students to reach their full potential and seek opportunities for continuous improvement.

4. Contacts and relationships

• Work with a wide of range of people including both pre-16 and post-16 stakeholders.
• Work with teachers and other team members to share information and agree on a recommended course of action.
• Establish productive working relationships with students, providing immediate feedback, whilst acting as a role model.
• Set high expectations for behaviour and learning.
• Be an enthusiastic advocate of creative outdoor learning activities to engage students.

5. Levels of Responsibility

• The post holder must work strictly under the supervision of the Forest School Lead within organisational policies and procedures, assuming shared responsibility for the safety, security, care, and education of students.
• All staff members have a responsibility to ensure that Ofsted requirements are always met.

6. Effects of Decisions

• This role reports directly to the Forest School Lead and all decisions would be made in agreement.

7. Resources

• The post holder takes part in organising the availability and use of general and specialist equipment and other resources, including checking to ensure they are clean, safe and secure for students.
• The post holder must uphold the school’s health and safety policies by reporting problems with resources and equipment to senior staff for further action to be taken.

8. Work demands

• Under supervision of the Forest School Lead and SLT, the post holder must promote and uphold Ofsted minimum requirements at all times.

9. Physical Demands

• Lifting and carrying of equipment and bending and clearing away after sessions are all a daily part of this role, sometimes assisted by students.

10. Working conditions

• Work involves working mostly outdoors.
• The post holder will work in other environments when accompanying students on trips to places of interest, both within the local community and further afield.

11. Knowledge and skills

• This role requires the ability to undertake work in one broad area of activity with students with a basic level of practical knowledge and skills of learning in the outdoor environment.
• A Forest School or Outdoor Activities qualification and experience.

12. Work with students.

• Implementing agreed learning activities and teaching programmes for students with additional needs.
• Monitoring student response to learning activities through observation and assisting in providing evidence on student progress.
• Encouraging students to both interact and work co-operatively as well as develop independence and self-reliance. This includes promoting positive values, attitudes and behaviour.
• Support in creating a physical and emotionally safe learning environment. Thus, ensuring that all students have the opportunity to learn, interact and fulfil their potential.

13. Administration

• Contributing observations on student progress to the organisation’s MIS system.
• Providing general clerical and administrative support as required – for example, by making an entry in an accident log.

14. Liaison

• Being aware of, and complying with, policies and procedures relating to child protection, health safety and security, equality and diversity, confidentiality, and data protection and reporting all concerns to an appropriate person. The setting operates a policy of collective responsibility, towards the safeguarding of all members of the setting and the welcoming of diversity.
• Recognising your own strengths and areas of expertise and using these in the setting.
• Aiding in the promotion and marketing of the provision to prospective parents and members of the community.

15. Other

• Contributing to the overall ethos, work and aims of Expanse Group Ltd.
• A positive approach to continuous professional development, including accessing recommended training and development programmes as identified by senior staff.

Expectations

• As appropriate, the postholder’s duties must be carried out in compliance with Expanse Group’s policies and procedures, located on our website.

Further Statement:

Undertaking any other duties, which may reasonably be regarded as within the nature of the duties and responsibilities of the post as defined, subject to the provision that normally any changes of a permanent nature shall be incorporated into the job description in specific terms

NOTE TO APPLICANTS If you require any aids or adaptations to either our workplace or policies and practices that may assist or enable you to successfully carry out this role, please inform us. This job description is subject to annual review in accordance with the changing nature of learners and institutional need.