Outdoor Education Lead

Amegreen Children's Services; Englefield; On-site; GBP 32,000 - 42,000; Full time

Job summary

Stable Futures is looking for an enthusiastic and creative Outdoor Education Lead to establish and lead an exciting new practical learning provision at Juniper Acres, our new outdoor alternative provision supporting pupils from Juniper House and other Amegreen Education settings.

This role focuses on hands-on learning in horticulture, outdoor cooking, enterprise and employability, with a learner-led Enterprise Hub and a shop on site to give pupils real world experience.

Job description

Stable Futures is entering an exciting new phase of growth.

Stable Futures is looking for an enthusiastic and creative Outdoor Education Lead to establish and lead an exciting new practical learning provision at Juniper Acres, our new outdoor alternative provision supporting pupils from Juniper House and other Amegreen Education settings.

This is a unique opportunity to create a learning environment where young people develop confidence, independence and employability through hands‑on experiences in outdoor learning, horticulture, cooking and enterprise.

Working alongside our existing Forest Lead and Animal Care Lead, you will take ownership of a dedicated learning area centred around growing food, outdoor cooking, practical life skills and developing a learner‑led enterprise hub. Learners will be involved in producing seasonal fruit, vegetables and handmade products which will be sold through our on‑site enterprise shop, giving them real experience of planning, producing, marketing and retail.

This role is ideal for someone passionate about outdoor education who enjoys practical teaching and can inspire young people through meaningful, real‑world learning rather than traditional classroom approaches.

Purpose of the Role

As Outdoor Education Lead, you will lead the development and delivery of a practical outdoor learning provision that combines horticulture, outdoor cooking, enterprise and employability skills.

You will create engaging learning experiences that help children and young people develop confidence, resilience, independence and transferable life skills through meaningful projects and real‑world learning.

A key aspect of the role will be developing our learner‑led Enterprise Hub, where produce grown on site and products created by learners can be prepared, marketed and sold internally within our on‑site shop. This provides valuable opportunities for learners to experience customer service, teamwork, budgeting, food production and small business skills.

Working closely with the Centre Manager, Forest Lead and wider education team, you will establish a provision that complements our existing animal care and forest education programmes while offering a distinct pathway focused on practical skills, employability and enterprise.

Key Responsibilities

Outdoor Learning

• Lead the Outdoor Education provision across horticulture, outdoor cooking and practical life skills.
• Design engaging outdoor learning experiences that encourage curiosity, resilience and independence.
• Create seasonal projects that connect growing, harvesting, cooking and enterprise.
• Develop opportunities for learners to take ownership of projects from planning through to completion.

Enterprise Development

• Develop and lead the learner Enterprise Hub.
• Support learners to grow, produce and sell products through the on‑site shop.
• Develop seasonal enterprise projects such as vegetables, herbs, eggs, preserves, crafts, natural products and other learner‑made items.
• Teach budgeting, pricing, customer service and retail skills.
• Create opportunities for learners to experience real work‑related learning.

Planning & Delivery of Learning

• Design and deliver engaging, hands‑on learning programmes focused on outdoor education, practical life skills, enterprise, horticulture, sustainability and outdoor cooking.
• Develop seasonal learning projects that connect growing, making, cooking and enterprise, enabling learners to experience the full journey from planning and production through to selling products within the on‑site Enterprise Hub.
• Create meaningful learning experiences that promote employability skills, teamwork, problem‑solving, resilience and independence through real‑world activities.
• Integrate life skills, PSHE, functional skills and independence into all learning activities.
• Adapt learning opportunities to meet the individual needs of learners aged 11–18 (or 5–17 if applicable), ensuring activities are inclusive, engaging and accessible for children and young people with SEND.
• Monitor, evaluate and continuously improve the quality, impact and engagement of the provision through reflective practice and learner feedback.
• Develop, deliver and adapt structured learning sessions aligned with accredited programmes (including ASDAN and AQA Unit Awards), working collaboratively with Amegreen Education teaching staff to support and reinforce curriculum learning through practical, experiential education.
• Encourage learners to take ownership of projects, developing confidence, responsibility and pride in producing high‑quality goods and services for the Enterprise Hub.

Careers & Pathways Development

• Introduce learners to potential careers in horticulture, catering, and land‑based industries.
• Develop opportunities for accreditation, skills development, and work‑related learning as the provision grows.
• Explore partnerships and opportunities to create real‑life catering or enterprise experiences within the provision.

SEND & Behaviour Support

• Lead on effective SEND and behaviour support strategies, aligned with therapeutic approaches such as PACE and THRIVE (training provided).
• Support staff to respond consistently and empathetically to learners with a range of additional needs.
• Create a calm, structured, and nurturing learning environment that promotes engagement and wellbeing.

Health, Safety & Site Management

• Take overall responsibility for health and safety within the provision, including safe use of tools, equipment, and cooking facilities.
• Complete and oversee risk assessments for horticulture and cooking activities.
• Ensure compliance with safeguarding, food hygiene, and health and safety regulations.
• Oversee the safe management and maintenance of tools, equipment, and growing areas.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

All posts are subject to an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check, online searches, and satisfactory reference checks in line with our safer recruitment policy. We follow robust recruitment and selection procedures to ensure that the people we appoint are suitable to work with children.