Outdoor Learning Instructor

Outcomes First Group; Horsham; On-site; GBP 25,000 - 31,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Life Assurance

Pension scheme with options toincrease

Your Wellbeing Matters – health &

Job summary

Manor House School is seeking an Outdoor Learning Instructor to design and deliver engaging outdoor experiences for pupils with SEND, transforming forests into classrooms and turning challenges into achievements. The role emphasizes safeguarding and inclusive practice while enabling learners to grow in confidence and resilience.

Based at Manor House School, Slinfold (Horsham) the role is permanent, term-time, 40 hours/week, starting February 2027.

Qualifications

• Experience delivering Outdoor Learning or Forest School programmes (Desirable).
• Degree, QTS or another relevant teaching or instructor qualification (Desirable).
• Experience working with children and young people with SEND, SEMH or complex needs (Desirable).
• Experience planning and leading educational visits and adventurous activities (Desirable).

Responsibilities

• Design and deliver outdoor learning experiences that spark curiosity and build resilience.
• Bring learning to life with hands-on activities supporting academic progress and wellbeing.
• Transform outdoor spaces into engaging learning environments for growth.
• Lead educational visits, Forest School sessions and outdoor adventures with safety and inclusion.
• Monitor progress and adapt activities to individual needs to help pupils reach their potential.
• Build trusting relationships to empower pupils to become more independent and confident.

Skills

Outdoor learning

Driving licence

Communication

Safeguarding

Education

Teaching qualification (QTS) or equivalent

Job description

Full Job Description

We work smarter so that you can enjoy the things that matter outside of work!

Job Title: Outdoor Learning Instructor

Location: Manor House School, Slinfold, Horsham, RH13 0QX

Hours: 40 hours per week | Monday to Friday

Salary: Up to £28,000 per annum (depending on experience, not pro rata)

Contract: Permanent | Term Time Only

Start: February 2027

UK applicants only – no sponsorship available

About the Role

Could you inspire a young person to build confidence by climbing a hill, develop resilience around a campfire, or discover a love of learning in the great outdoors? At Manor House School, we're looking for a passionate and adventurous Outdoor Learning Instructor to join our growing team. This is far more than an outdoor education role, it's an opportunity to transform the lives of young people with additional needs through meaningful, hands‑on experiences that build confidence, independence, resilience and essential life skills. Whether you're an experienced Outdoor Learning or Forest School practitioner, an outdoor instructor ready to inspire the next generation, or a teacher looking for a more rewarding way to make a difference, you'll have the freedom to create memorable learning experiences that truly change lives.

Working alongside a supportive multidisciplinary team, you'll turn forests into classrooms, challenges into achievements and every outdoor adventure into an opportunity for pupils to grow, thrive and believe in themselves. Every day brings new experiences, new successes and the chance to help young people achieve far more than they ever thought possible.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Design and deliver inspiring outdoor learning experiences that spark curiosity, build confidence and develop resilience through adventure and exploration.
• Bring learning to life with creative, hands‑on activities that support pupils' academic progress, social development and emotional wellbeing.
• Transform the school's outdoor spaces into exciting, purposeful learning environments where every experience encourages discovery and growth.
• Lead memorable educational visits, Forest School sessions and outdoor adventures, ensuring every activity is safe, inclusive and expertly planned.
• Celebrate every achievement by monitoring progress, adapting activities to individual needs and helping pupils reach their full potential.
• Build strong, trusting relationships that empower pupils to become more independent, confident and resilient both in and beyond the classroom.
• Work collaboratively with teachers, therapists, families and the wider multidisciplinary team to create personalised learning experiences that achieve lasting outcomes.
• Champion exceptional safeguarding, positive behaviour and an inclusive culture where every child feels safe, valued and inspired to succeed.

About You

We’re looking for someone who is:

• Passionate about outdoor learning and believes every child can achieve their full potential.
• Creative, energetic and able to inspire young people through practical, engaging experiences.
• An excellent communicator who builds positive relationships with pupils, families and colleagues.
• Calm, resilient and confident supporting young people with additional needs and behaviours that may challenge.
• Adaptable and able to think creatively, using the outdoor environment to bring learning to life.
• Committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people.
• Holds a full UK Driving Licence.

Desirable

• Experience delivering Outdoor Learning or Forest School programmes.
• Degree, QTS or another relevant teaching or instructor qualification.
• Experience working with children and young people with SEND, SEMH or complex needs.
• Experience planning and leading educational visits and adventurous activities.

About Us

Manor House School is an independent co‑educational school for pupils with social, emotional, and mental health needs. We provide a small, supportive environment where personalised learning helps pupils rebuild confidence and engage with education. Our dedicated staff foster positive relationships, emotional wellbeing, and a calm, nurturing atmosphere. Through tailored support and a broad curriculum, we empower pupils to achieve success and prepare for life beyond school.

Acorn Education offers rewarding careers and meaningful challenges while making a real difference in young people’s lives. As a leading UK provider of specialist education for children and young people with special educational needs, and part of Outcomes First Group, we deliver innovative, evidence‑based approaches that support measurable progress and lasting impact. 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. 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.

#1