Outdoor and Forest School Instructor

Outcomes First Group; Ross-on-Wye; On-site; GBP 26,000 - 38,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Life Assurance

Pension scheme

Wellbeing support

Flexible Benefits Platform

Job summary

The Holden School, part of Outcomes First Group, is seeking an enthusiastic Outdoor Learning & Forest School Instructor to help children and young people discover confidence and resilience through nature. You’ll design and deliver outdoor experiences with the Outdoor Learning Lead and education team, developing independence, teamwork and life skills.

You’ll plan forest school sessions, tailor activities for SEND students, and work with teachers to embed outdoor learning across the curriculum

Qualifications

• Experience working with children with SEN and SEND needs.
• Ability to motivate learners across ages and abilities.
• Strong behaviour management and safety focus.

Responsibilities

• Plan and deliver Forest School and outdoor learning sessions.
• Tailor activities to meet individual needs of students with SEND.
• Promote resilience and teamwork through outdoor activities.
• Carry out risk assessments and maintain equipment to high standards.
• Embed outdoor learning across the curriculum with teachers.

Skills

Motivate and inspire

Behaviour management

Outdoor learning enthusiasm

Risk assessment

Teamwork with teachers

Education

Experience with SEND

Teaching qualification

Tools

Forest School Leader

Job description

Do you believe some of the best learning happens outdoors? At The Holden School we're looking for an enthusiastic and inspiring Outdoor Learning & Forest School Instructor to help children and young people discover confidence, resilience and a love of learning through nature. Working alongside our Outdoor Learning Lead and wider education team, you'll design and deliver engaging outdoor experiences that develop independence, teamwork, communication and life skills. From woodland adventures and bushcraft to creative problem-solving and environmental learning, every day offers something different. If you're passionate about outdoor education and want to make a lasting difference to the lives of young people with additional needs, we'd love to hear from you.

What You'll Be Doing

• Plan and deliver exciting Forest School and outdoor learning sessions that inspire curiosity, confidence and independence.
• Create engaging learning experiences tailored to meet the individual needs of students with SEND.
• Promote positive behaviour, resilience and teamwork through creative outdoor activities.
• Ensure the safety and wellbeing of all participants by carrying out risk assessments and maintaining equipment to the highest standards.
• Work closely with teachers and support staff to embed outdoor learning across the curriculum.
• Supervise and support students during outdoor sessions, educational visits and enrichment activities.
• Maintain accurate records of student progress, achievements and participation.
• Champion outdoor learning throughout the school, helping to create memorable experiences that support every child's development.

Experience and Requirements

• Experience working with children with SEN
• Ability to motivate and inspire children of different ages, abilities, and confidence levels
• Clear, confident, and fair approach with strong behaviour management skills
• Enthusiasm for outdoor learning and the ability to make every session fun, purposeful, and safe

The Holden School is an independent specialist day school for boys and girls aged from 5 to 16, catering for students with a wide range of needs in Lancashire, Manchester and surrounding areas. Our dedicated team work together to ensure successful outcomes for students who often arrive at the school with a troubled view of education and life. We are a Therapeutic Led, Trauma Informed School providing individualised curriculums for our students supported by our Class Teams, our Pastoral Team and our own Therapists.

We pride ourselves in steering students in the right direction, nurturing aspiration to progress them academically and socially, to encourage them to take pride in their achievements. Socially, we build con?dence in our students, so they are able to have a greater understanding of the wider community in which they live.

At Outcomes First Schools, we provide specialist education for learners who need a deeper level of understanding, expertise and support than mainstream education can typically offer. We support students with a wide range of complex, co-occurring and neurodivergent needs, including autism, ADHD, SEMH, speech and communication needs, dyslexia and experiences of trauma or adversity.

We are proud to be a part of OFG Education who in 2025 were officially certified as a Great Place to Work' for the sixth year running.

Why Join Us?

We place students 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 students 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.

OFG Education is committed to carrying out a fair, thorough and efficient recruitment process in line with Keeping Children Safe in Education. Whilst we aim to keep applicants informed throughout, OFG Education 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 compliance with statutory requirements, which may affect timescales.