Outdoor Learning Instructor

Hillingdon Manor School; Horsham; On-site; GBP 25,000 - 31,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Life Assurance

Pension scheme

Wellbeing support

Job summary

Manor House School is seeking an Outdoor Learning Instructor to join our passionate team in Horsham. This role focuses on turning forests into classrooms and delivering hands-on experiences that build confidence, resilience and essential life skills for pupils with additional needs.

You will work with a multidisciplinary team to create personalised learning experiences, lead Forest School activities and educational visits, and advocate safeguarding while helping pupils thrive and succeed.

Qualifications

• Degree or teaching/instructor qualification required.
• Experience delivering Outdoor Learning or Forest School programmes.
• Holds a full UK Driving Licence.
• Experience working with children with SEND/ SEMH.

Responsibilities

• Design and deliver outdoor learning experiences that spark curiosity and build confidence.
• Lead Forest School sessions and educational visits, ensuring safety and inclusivity.
• Turn outdoor spaces into engaging, purposeful learning environments.
• Collaborate with teachers, therapists and families to tailor learning for individual needs.
• Monitor progress and adapt activities to support pupil growth.
• Champion safeguarding and promote wellbeing.

Skills

Outdoor learning

Forest School

Degree / QTS

SEND experience

UK driving licence

Education

Degree or QTS

Job description

Enter your postcode, then select the range below

• Range

Manor House School

• Horsham
• Permanent

Salary: Up to £28,000 per annum (depending on experience)

Hours: 40 hours per Week, Monday to Friday

Closing date: Wednesday, 26th August 2026

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.
• 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

Wherever you work – whether in a city location or one of our more rural settings – you’ll be part of one dynamic family, aiming high and dreaming big, and helping the people we work with achieve their own personal goals

Hours: 40 hours per week, Monday to Friday

Salary: Up to £42,000 per annum (depending on experience)

Hours: 37.5 Hours per Week, Monday to Friday

With amazing teams working across our family of brands – Acorn Education, Options Autism, Momenta Connect and Blenheim Schools– we offer a huge range of exciting career opportunities.

Meeting the social and emotional needs of pupils who have faced trauma or adversity, equipping them for life’s important steps.

Supporting autistic pupils to value their uniqueness and access the world in their own way.

At Momenta Connect we support young people to overcome barriers and engage with education.

We are committed to enabling outstanding futures for all children through a portfolio of inclusive, high‑quality independent and international schools.