Forest School Lead / Forest School Teacher - Full-time/Part-time in Medway

The Academy of Woodlands are seeking a forest school lead/forest school teacher who will join us to build upon our successes and help shape the future for The Academy of Woodlands. As a school, we seek to appoint a forest school lead/forest school teacher to continue the love for outdoor learning that our children have and engage in from nursery to year 6. Forest school training is preferable but we will support the training for the right candidate.

Main duties and responsibilities:

• To be responsible for, plan and oversee the day to day delivery, organisation and smooth running of Forest Schools programmes.
• To evaluate programmes and to continually strive for improvement.
• To promote learning in the outdoor environment and the ethos of Forest Schools and outdoor learning.
• To link the outdoor learning to the school curriculum and design a progressive skills based curriculum.
• To be responsible at all times for high standards of care and education of all group members in accordance with the Forest Schools Association principles and criteria for good practice.
• To ensure effective communication with teachers, support staff, head of school, governors, parents, volunteers, partner organisations and of course, children.
• To manage support staff and volunteers effectively, ensuring they embrace the ethos of forest schools.
• To ensure the health and safety of all participants, including writing and checking risk assessments for the sites, tools and activities used.
• To regularly check and maintain tools and other equipment.
• To keep records as appropriate of emergency contact details for participants, permission forms and achievement of pupils.
• To adhere to all relevant policies and procedures of the individual school and settings.
• To engage in continuous professional development.
• To carry out all other such duties as may from time to time be determined by the line manager.

Physical Demands:

The work requires moderate levels of physical effort. It involves lifting and handling of equipment and other resources and to be involved in practical activities and physical care of learners and the physical outdoor environment. The role is almost exclusively outdoors and will require working on uneven surfaces and in unpredictable weather conditions.

We can offer you:

• A fun, supporting and friendly team and wonderful positive children.
• A well-resourced school – with amazing outdoor learning spaces.
• Staff who work closely together in year group teams to plan and deliver our exciting, themed curriculum and provide mutual support and challenge.
• Bespoke training designed to meet the needs of our team from both external and internal trainers – a ‘grow our own’ attitude.
• A range of opportunities for career development throughout our Multi Academy Trust.
• A dynamic and supportive team of professionals that support each other.
• Weekly focused PDM meetings committed to staff development.
• Staff incentive scheme including discounts for gym memberships and childcare.

If The Academy of Woodlands sounds like the place for you, then we would welcome school tours prior to interview. Please contact Mrs Karen Browne who will organise this with you. For further details including the job description and full person specification please contact Mrs Karen Browne: PA to the Head of School on 0300 065 8200 for more information.