Outdoor Learning Mentor

The Harbour School; Tipner; On-site; GBP 21,000 - 25,000; Full time

Job summary

The Harbour School is seeking an Outdoor Learning Mentor to help pupils reconnect with learning through hands-on, outdoor experiences. You will work with teachers to support engagement, behaviour and progress both onsite and offsite, using practical activities to build confidence and skills.

Ideal candidates are passionate, empathetic, calm, and adaptable, capable of building strong relationships and supporting SEMH/SEND needs while collaborating with families and professionals.

Qualifications

• Experience supporting pupils through practical and outdoor learning.
• Ability to adapt approaches for pupils with different needs.
• Commitment to safeguarding and wellbeing in school settings.

Responsibilities

• Support teachers and instructors during outdoor and classroom-based activities.
• Work with pupils individually and in small groups to boost engagement and progress.
• Assist pupils in working toward targets in their plans.
• Help deliver and supervise outdoor learning sessions and visits.
• Build trusting relationships to encourage participation and confidence.
• Support development of social, emotional and study skills.
• Collaborate with families, carers and external professionals to support each pupil.

Skills

Outdoor learning

Mentoring

Behaviour support

Safeguarding

Teamwork

Job description

Not a typical mentoring role. A different kind of impact.

When learning moves beyond the classroom and into the outdoors, something powerful happens. Confidence grows, barriers begin to fall, and young people start to see themselves in a more positive way.

Our Adventure Learning team supports pupils who often find traditional education challenging or overwhelming. Many of the young people we work with may feel disengaged from school, have experienced barriers to attendance, or struggle with social, emotional and behavioural needs. For some, education hasn’t yet been a place where they have felt successful or understood.

This is where you come in.

As an Outdoor Learning Mentor, you will play a key role in helping pupils reconnect with learning through practical, hands-on and outdoor experiences. Working alongside teachers and instructors, you will support pupils both onsite and in a wide range of offsite activities-from bushcraft and paddle sports to climbing and team-building sessions. You will help create opportunities for pupils to experience success in ways that feel meaningful and achievable to them.

Because before progress can happen, young people need to feel safe, supported and valued. And when they do-those moments matter.

A pupil engages when they previously felt withdrawn.

A young person manages a situation calmly for the first time.

Someone begins to believe they are capable of learning and change.

That’s the impact you’ll have.

What you’ll be doing:

• Supporting teachers and instructors during outdoor and classroom-based learning activities
• Working with pupils individually and in small groups to support engagement, behaviour and progress
• Assisting pupils in working towards targets set out in their individual plans
• Helping to deliver and supervise outdoor learning sessions and educational visits
• Building strong, trusting relationships with pupils to encourage participation and confidence
• Supporting the development of social, emotional and study skills
• Working with families, carers and external professionals to support each young person holistically

Who you are:

• Passionate about supporting young people through practical and outdoor learning approaches
• Patient, empathetic and able to build trust with pupils who may feel disengaged or unsure
• Calm and resilient, with the ability to respond positively to challenging situations
• Adaptable and flexible, able to work across different environments and activities
• A positive role model who encourages confidence,independenceand resilience
• A strong teamplayer who works well with colleagues and external partners
• Committed to supporting pupils with a wide range of needs, including SEMH and SEND
• Organised and responsible, with a strong focus on safeguarding,safetyand wellbeing
• Motivated by supporting small but meaningful steps of progress in young people’s lives