At a Glance
- Tasks: Inspire students through outdoor adventures and engaging PE sessions.
- Company: Join Underley Garden School, a leader in special education.
- Benefits: Up to £32,000 salary, travel allowance, and comprehensive wellbeing support.
- Other info: Small class sizes and a supportive team environment await you.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in students' lives while enjoying the great outdoors.
- Qualifications: Experience in Outdoor Education or PE, with strong communication skills.
The predicted salary is between 32000 - 32000 £ per year.
Location: Underley Garden School, Kirkby Lonsdale LA6 2DZ
Hours: 40 hours per week | Monday to Friday | 8.00am - 4.00pm
Salary: Up to £32,000 per annum (depending on experience, not pro rata) + Travel allowance
Contract: Permanent | Term Time Only
Start: September 2026
About the Role
Do you believe the best learning happens outdoors? Are you passionate about helping children build confidence, resilience and independence through adventurous, active learning? At Underley Garden School, we're looking for an enthusiastic Outdoor Education & PE Instructor to join our dedicated team. This is an exciting opportunity to combine your passion for outdoor learning and physical education, delivering engaging experiences that inspire pupils with Special Educational Needs to achieve more than they ever thought possible. Every day is different. From Forest School activities and outdoor adventures to PE sessions, educational visits and Duke of Edinburgh expeditions, you'll create memorable learning experiences that develop physical skills, emotional wellbeing, teamwork and self-confidence.
What you will be doing:
- Planning and delivering engaging Outdoor Education and PE sessions for pupils with diverse learning needs.
- Creating inclusive activities that promote confidence, independence, teamwork and wellbeing.
- Assessing pupil progress and adapting learning to maximise achievement.
- Leading educational visits, outdoor learning experiences and Duke of Edinburgh activities.
- Completing risk assessments and maintaining high standards of health and safety for all activities, equipment and learning environments.
- Maintaining outdoor resources, tools and equipment to ensure safe and effective learning.
- Building positive relationships with pupils, families and colleagues while promoting outstanding behaviour and engagement.
- Contributing to the ongoing development of an innovative outdoor learning curriculum.
What you will bring:
- Experience planning and delivering Outdoor Education and/or Physical Education programmes.
- Experience leading learning within a classroom or outdoor educational environment.
- Excellent behaviour management and communication skills.
- The ability to inspire, motivate and engage learners of varying ages, abilities and confidence levels.
- Strong organisational skills with the ability to manage support staff and resources effectively.
- Driving licence required.
It would be advantageous if you hold:
- Level 3 Forest School Programme Leadership qualification (or Level 2 working towards Level 3).
- Paediatric First Aid qualification.
- Food Hygiene Certificate.
- Experience delivering Forest School or outdoor learning programmes.
About Us
Underley Garden School is a large school with small class sizes, focusing on pupils aged 5-19, who have a range of complex needs associated with autism and learning disabilities, including complex communication, sensory and behavioural needs associated with their disabilities. Our School adopts a holistic, person-centred approach to the development of our pupils and endeavours to ensure that they achieve as high a standard as possible. We offer a comprehensive portfolio of education, care and therapy to meet the individual requirements of students with complex special educational needs. At Underley Garden, we aim to make a positive difference to the personal, social and learning lives of the people entrusted to our care. Located near the market town of Kirkby Lonsdale on the edge of the Lake District and the Yorkshire Dales in a commutable distance of Lancaster, Cumbria and surrounding areas.
For over 19 years, Options Autism has provided specialist care and education for children, young people, and adults with autism, complex needs, and learning difficulties. As part of Outcomes First Group, we are pioneering innovative, evidence-based approaches that deliver meaningful, measurable outcomes for everyone in our care. We are really proud to say that in 2025 Outcomes First Group were officially certified as a Great Place to Work for the sixth year running.
Why Join Us?
We place pupils and vulnerable young adults at the heart of everything we do, so every day brings the satisfaction of making a real difference. We are committed to the safeguarding and promoting the welfare of pupils and young people. All applicants will be subject to social media checks and successful applicants to a fully enhanced DBS.
Life Assurance, Pension scheme with options to increase contributions, Your Wellbeing Matters mental health support and physical health checks, Flexible Benefits Platform (Vista), including: Health, wellbeing and insurance benefits, Hundreds of UK and international discounts, Cycle to Work Scheme & Electric Car Purchase Scheme, Critical illness cover, Family Growth Support, including enhanced maternity/paternity leave and paid fertility treatment support.
We reserve the right to close the vacancy early if we receive a high volume of suitable applications. Outcomes First Group is committed to carrying out a fair, thorough and efficient recruitment process in line with Keeping Children Safe in Education. While we aim to keep applicants informed throughout, Outcomes First Group does not accept liability for any loss of earnings or other associated costs incurred by applicants as a result of delays or changes in the compliance process. All stages of the compliance process are subject to necessary safeguarding checks and statutory requirements, which may affect timescales.
Outdoor Education and PE Instructor in Preston employer: Usunderley Garden School
Underley Garden School is an exceptional employer that prioritises the growth and development of its staff while fostering a supportive and inclusive work culture. As an Outdoor Education & PE Instructor, you will have the unique opportunity to make a meaningful impact on the lives of SEN learners in a beautiful outdoor setting, with access to professional development and training tailored to enhance your skills. Join us in a role that not only values your contributions but also encourages creativity and innovation in delivering engaging educational experiences.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Outdoor Education and PE Instructor in Preston
✨Get Involved in Local Sports Communities
Dive into your local sports scene! Attend community games, coaching sessions, and meet-ups. Building relationships with coaches and team managers can help you uncover job opportunities before they even hit the job boards.
✨Leverage Internships and Volunteering
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We think you need these skills to ace Outdoor Education and PE Instructor in Preston
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Passion for Sports:In your cover letter, let your enthusiasm for sports and recreation shine through! We want to see your genuine interest in the industry and how it's shaped your career choices. Sharing specific experiences, like managing a team or organising an event, can really make you stand out.
Highlight Relevant Experience:When crafting your CV, focus on any relevant internships, volunteer work, or part-time jobs related to sports and recreation management. Make sure to quantify your achievements – did you increase team participation by a certain percentage or successfully lead a project? Numbers speak volumes!
Tailor Your CV for Sports Management:Use a CV format that emphasises your skills in leadership, teamwork, and event coordination. Don’t forget to include specific training or certifications that relate to sports management, as these can set you apart from other applicants. We love seeing candidates with relevant qualifications!
Express Your Long-Term Goals:In your application, we want to see your career aspirations in sports management. Don’t hesitate to include how you envision your future in this industry and how joining Usunderley Garden School aligns with those goals. We’re looking for candidates who are not just a perfect fit for the role but are also excited about growing with us!
How to prepare for a job interview at Usunderley Garden School
✨Highlight Your Passion for Sports
When chatting with Usunderley Garden School, make sure to express your genuine love for sports and recreation. Share experiences that showcase your passion, whether it's managing a local sports team, organising events, or simply being an active participant in various activities. This helps them see you're not just a fit on paper, but also someone who truly cares about the field.
✨Showcase Your Management Skills
This role is all about managing resources and people, so be ready to discuss your leadership and organisational skills. Prepare some examples from your past experiences where you've successfully led a team or managed a project, particularly in a sports or recreation setting. Use the STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) technique to make your answers concise and impactful.
✨Be Prepared for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect case studies or scenario-based questions that assess your problem-solving and decision-making skills. You might be asked how you would handle a tricky situation, such as resolving a conflict between team members or managing a crisis during a major event. Think through these scenarios and practice how you’d articulate your thought process and solutions.
✨Demonstrate Enthusiasm for Team Collaboration
In the sports and recreation management field, teamwork is essential. During the interview, be prepared to discuss how you work within a team and foster a collaborative environment. Share success stories where teamwork led to a positive outcome, emphasising how you built relationships and encouraged participation among team members to achieve a common goal.
