Outdoor Education and PE Instructor

Outcomes First Group; Heaton; On-site; GBP 29,000 - 35,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Life Assurance

Pension scheme

Mental health support

Vista Benefits Platform

UK/International discounts

Cycle to Work & EV Scheme

Critical illness cover

Family Growth Support

Job summary

Underley Garden School, part of Outcomes First Group, is seeking an enthusiastic Outdoor Education & PE Instructor to join a dedicated team. This role combines outdoor learning with physical education to support pupils with complex needs.

You will lead Forest School activities, PE sessions, and educational visits, delivering memorable experiences daily. You will plan engaging sessions, assess progress, and maintain safety and equipment.

Qualifications

• Experience planning and delivering Outdoor Education and/or Physical Education programmes.
• Experience leading learning within classroom or outdoor settings.
• Excellent behaviour management and communication skills.
• Inspires and motivates learners of varying ages and abilities.
• Strong organisational skills to manage staff and resources.
• Driving licence required.

Responsibilities

• 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.
• Maintaining outdoor resources, tools and equipment for safe learning.
• Building positive relationships with pupils, families and colleagues to promote engagement.
• Contributing to the ongoing development of an innovative outdoor learning curriculum.

Skills

Outdoor Education

Physical Education

Behaviour management

Communication skills

Motivation & engagement

Leadership

Driving licence

Education

Level 3 Forest School Leadership

Paediatric First Aid

Food Hygiene Certificate

Forest School experience

Job description

Job Title

Outdoor Education and PE Instructor

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

Applicants

UK applicants only - no sponsorship available

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.

Benefits

• 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. Whilst 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 compliance with statutory requirements, which may affect timescales.