Outdoor Learning Instructor

Elementa Support Services Ltd; Somerton; On-site; GBP 22,000 - 25,000; Full time

Job summary

Elementa Support Services Ltd is seeking an Outdoor Learning Instructor for a specialist school in Street, Somerset. The role focuses on delivering outdoor learning, forest school, and Duke of Edinburgh activities for students aged 11–16 with SEMH needs.

You will plan and deliver engaging sessions, complete risk assessments, and maintain health and safety standards to support students’ development. Applicants with experience in SEMH settings, bushcraft, and land-based education are encouraged.

Qualifications

• Experience delivering outdoor learning and forest school programmes.
• Experience with Duke of Edinburgh activities or similar.
• Ability to plan engaging outdoor sessions and manage group activities.

Responsibilities

• Plan and deliver high-quality outdoor learning experiences across forest school, bushcraft, and environmental topics.
• Complete risk assessments and maintain health and safety standards for activities.
• Work with staff to support student learning and wellbeing.
• Maintain activity records and safeguarding compliance.
• Engage students to build resilience, teamwork, and independence.

Skills

Outdoor learning

Forest school

Duke of Edinburgh

Bushcraft

Land-based education

Job description

Location: Street

Pay: £120 - £135 Per Day During Trial

Type: Temp - Perm Contract

Hours: Full time, 8.30am - 3.30pm Mon-Fri

Start date: ASAP

Elementa has an exciting opportunity for an Outdoor Learning Instructor to join a specialist school in Street, Somerset. The school supports learners aged 11-16 with EHCPs relating to Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH) needs, providing a nurturing and therapeutic environment that enables young people to succeed both academically and personally.

This role would suit someone who thrives in the outdoors and has experience delivering outdoor learning, forest school programmes, Duke of Edinburgh activities, bushcraft, or other land-based educational experiences. You will be working primarily with students in Years 9 to 11, planning and delivering engaging outdoor learning sessions that build confidence, resilience, teamwork, and independence.

The successful candidate will take responsibility for planning activities, completing risk assessments, maintaining health and safety standards, and creating meaningful opportunities for students to develop key life skills through outdoor education. Applications are welcomed from experienced Outdoor Learning Practitioners, Forest School Leaders, HLTAs, instructors, and qualified or unqualified teachers with relevant experience.

This can be a challenging but highly rewarding environment. Students may present with additional behavioural and emotional needs, so previous experience working within a specialist setting, alternative provision, SEMH environment, or similar would be highly advantageous.

You will be a positive role model for young people and play a key role in supporting their educational, social, and emotional development.

Key responsibilities include:

• Planning and delivering high-quality outdoor learning experiences, including forest school, bushcraft, environmental education, and Duke of Edinburgh activities.
• Supporting students to overcome barriers to learning and achieve success both academically and personally.
• Developing engaging and accessible learning opportunities tailored to the needs of individual learners.
• Completing and maintaining health and safety documentation, risk assessments, and activity records.
• Working collaboratively with teaching and support staff to ensure students can fully participate and make positive progress.
• Sharing effective strategies and best practice with colleagues to support student engagement and wellbeing.
• Supporting the management of challenging behaviour through positive relationships, consistency, and restorative approaches.
• Providing guidance and structured support to help students make positive choices regarding behaviour, attendance, and social interactions.
• Building positive relationships with families and carers to support student development and engagement with education.
• Adhering to safeguarding, confidentiality, and school policies at all times.
• Contributing to the monitoring, recording, and evaluation of student welfare, progress, and participation.
• Promoting resilience, independence, teamwork, and self-confidence through outdoor education activities.
• Modelling high standards of professionalism and contributing to a culture of collaboration and continuous improvement.
• Supporting the school's rewards and recognition systems, celebrating student success and achievement.
• Encouraging students to develop broader educational, social, cultural, and life skills through meaningful outdoor experiences.
• Monitoring and communicating any health or wellbeing concerns to appropriate members of staff.

The school is looking for someone who:

• Has experience delivering outdoor learning, forest school, Duke of Edinburgh, or similar programmes.
• Is passionate about supporting young people with SEMH needs.
• Can build strong, trusting relationships with students.
• Is highly organised and confident completing risk assessments and activity planning.
• Remains calm, resilient, and positive when faced with challenging situations.
• Understands the importance of safeguarding and promoting student wellbeing.
• Enjoys working as part of a supportive and dedicated staff team.

This is an excellent opportunity to make a genuine difference in the lives of young people while combining your passion for outdoor learning with a rewarding career in specialist education

Contract & recruitment information

Elementa is the recruiting partner therefore applicants being considered for the role after pre-screening will be required to complete the registration process for Elementa. This includes full vetting & background checks and application for an Enhanced DBS Disclosure (which may be chargeable @£64.20)unless you have a current EnhancedDBS on the update service.

ELEMENTA CANDIDATE COMMITMENT:

• Weekly pay – no waiting for monthly payroll cut off dates, Elementa pays one week in lieu.
• PAYE contract – unless a candidate specifically requests it, all candidates are paid via PAYE giving them the protections and payment structure of a traditional employer:employee relationship.
• Training & Support – a broad range of free or heavily discounted training available including Safeguarding, Behaviour, Team Teach, SEND, Makaton and Thrive. Regular welfare contact and support from a dedicated candidate manager.
• Fair pay policy – our candidates are paid to scale, where a variation on this may be required written agreement will be provided ahead of the position.
• Additional services to support our staff – we have a network of partners who offer support services to our candidates … tax returns, accountancy, legal and more.