Forest School Leader

Forest School; St. Ives; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A reputable educational provider in St. Ives is seeking a passionate Forest School Leader to deliver outdoor learning sessions for primary and secondary-aged students with SEMH/SEND needs. The role involves planning engaging sessions, supporting emotional and social development, and maintaining a safe outdoor environment. Candidates should have experience with children and hold a Level 3 Forest School qualification. Both part-time and full-time positions are available with hourly pay ranging from £18 to £20, depending on experience.

Qualifications

• Experience working with children, ideally with SEMH/SEND needs.
• A Level 3 Forest School Leader qualification is required.
• A patient, resilient, and adaptable approach is crucial.
• A strong understanding of safeguarding and child protection is essential.
• A passion for outdoor learning, nature connection, and child development is needed.

Responsibilities

• Plan and deliver engaging Forest School and outdoor learning sessions.
• Support children's emotional regulation, social skills, confidence, and wellbeing.
• Encourage positive routines, teamwork, and communication.
• Adapt activities to meet the needs of all students.
• Maintain a safe, structured, and supportive outdoor environment.
• Follow safeguarding procedures and professional boundaries.

Skills

Experience working with children

Patience

Resilience

Adaptability

Understanding of safeguarding and child protection

Passion for outdoor learning

Education

Level 3 Forest School Leader qualification

Job description

Forest School Leader

Posted date: 2025-12-17T16:01:39

Location: Holywell, Cambridgeshire, UK, PE27 4

Contract: Permanent

Employer: Apply4U

Closing date: 2026-01-14T16:01:39

Age suitability: 18 - 20 Yr

Overview

We are seeking a passionate and skilled Forest School Leader to deliver outdoor learning sessions for primary and secondary-aged students with SEMH/SEND needs. This is an exciting opportunity to support children who may struggle to engage in mainstream education through hands‑on, nature-based learning.

As a Forest School Leader, you will be:

• Planning and delivering engaging Forest School and outdoor learning sessions
• Supporting children's emotional regulation, social skills, confidence, and wellbeing
• Encouraging positive routines, teamwork, and communication
• Adapting activities to meet the needs of all students
• Maintaining a safe, structured, and supportive outdoor environment
• Following safeguarding procedures and professional boundaries

As a Forest School Leader, you will have:

• Experience working with children, ideally with SEMH/SEND needs
• A Level 3 Forest School Leader qualification
• A patient, resilient, and adaptable approach
• A strong understanding of safeguarding and child protection
• A passion for outdoor learning, nature connection, and child development

Hours & Pay:

• Part‑time and full‑time positions available, term‑time only (39 weeks)
• Monday - Friday, 09:00 - 15:30 (sessions 09:00-12:00 and 12:30-15:30)
• Hourly pay: £18‑£20 per hour (based on experience)

Safeguarding Priority Statement

The provider of alternative education is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of vulnerable children. The provider of alternative education strictly abides by its Safer Recruitment policy including right to work checks, identification checks, referencing checks, and DBS checks. All applicants should be aware that they must undergo child protection screening appropriate for each job role. It is an offence for any organisation to offer employment that involves regular contact with young people under the age of 18 to anyone who has been convicted of certain specified offences, or those who are included on lists considered unsuitable for such work held by the Department for Education. It is also an offence for people convicted of such offences to apply for work with young people. If you are successful throughout your application, you will be subject to satisfactory completion of an Enhanced Disclosure from the Disclosure and Barring Service before the appointment is confirmed.

Further information about the Disclosure and Barring Service can be found at gov‑uk. Guidance about whether a conviction or caution should be disclosed can be found on the Ministry of Justice website. Employees of the provider of alternative education are expected to abide by the provider of education's safeguarding policy, codes of conduct, and will attend Safeguarding training through Cambridgeshire County Council.

Data and Recruitment

By applying for this Forest School Leader you are agreeing to your CV being held on our database, stored confidentially and securely. Your CV details will be used and kept only to provide recruitment services from us. We will only send your details to clients once discussed with you and your data will not be shared with any other third party. You can ask for the deletion or correction of your data, or to opt out of this service at any point by informing Exact Sourcing.

We very much look forward to hearing from you and will be reviewing all applications over the next 2 to 3 weeks. If you are selected, we will be in contact and if not, we will be keeping your details on file for any future vacancies. Exact Sourcing is an equal opportunities employment agency.