Outdoor Learning Specialist - LSA

Axcis Education Recruitment; Taunton; On-site; GBP 16,000 - 23,000; Full time

Job summary

Axcis Education Recruitment in Taunton is seeking an Outdoor Learning Specialist / Learning Support Assistant to support pupils at a local secondary school. The role focuses on using outdoor activities and practical tasks to boost engagement and confidence, with a strong emphasis on wellbeing and behaviour support.

You do not need prior school experience; suitable backgrounds include outdoor education, sports coaching, youth work or classroom support.

Qualifications

• No prior school experience required.
• Backgrounds in outdoor education or outdoor pursuits.
• Backgrounds in sports coaching.
• Backgrounds in youth work.
• Backgrounds in teaching or classroom support.
• Experience in residential or activity centres.
• Care or support work.
• Behaviour support and mentoring.

Responsibilities

• Support pupils who may find traditional classroom learning challenging.
• Use outdoor activities, sport and practical tasks to encourage engagement.
• Build positive, trusting relationships with young people.
• Support behaviour and help pupils regulate emotions.
• Encourage teamwork, communication, resilience and independence.
• Work alongside teaching staff and the wider pastoral team.
• Help pupils recognise their strengths and achieve positive outcomes.

Skills

Patience

Relationship building

Communication

Job description

Location: Taunton, Somerset

Hours: Monday to Friday, 8:30am–3:30pm

Pay: £14.25 per hour

Contract: Full-time and part-time opportunities available

Start: September 2026

Are you a sports coach, outdoor instructor, youth worker, teaching assistant or support worker who enjoys helping young people build confidence through practical activities? We are looking for an enthusiastic Outdoor Learning Specialist / Learning Support Assistant to join a welcoming secondary school in Taunton. This is a fantastic opportunity for someone who wants to combine outdoor activity, positive behaviour support and education while making a genuine difference to young people. You will work closely with pupils who may need additional support with confidence, communication, behaviour, emotional regulation and engagement in school. Outdoor and practical activities will be an important part of helping pupils develop resilience, teamwork and independence.

What you’ll be doing:

• Supporting pupils who may find traditional classroom learning challenging
• Using outdoor activities, sport and practical tasks to encourage engagement
• Building positive, trusting relationships with young people
• Supporting behaviour and helping pupils regulate their emotions
• Encouraging teamwork, communication, resilience and independence
• Working alongside teaching staff and the wider pastoral team
• Helping pupils recognise their strengths and achieve positive outcomes

Who would suit this role?

You do not need previous school experience.

We are particularly interested in people with backgrounds in:t

• Outdoor education or outdoor pursuits
• Sports coaching
• Youth work
• Teaching or classroom support
• Residential or activity centres
• Care or support work
• Behaviour support
• Mentoring or working with young people

Most importantly, you will be patient, active, reliable and confident building relationships with teenagers.

You should be comfortable working outside in different weather conditions and willing to get involved in practical activities.

Why apply?

• Monday–Friday, 8:30am–3:30pm
• School-based role with consistent weekday hours
• Opportunity to gain valuable SEND, behaviour and education experience
• Excellent stepping stone for careers in teaching, youth work, psychology, sports coaching or education
• Ongoing support and training available

You must be suitably qualified for the position advertised and be prepared to attend a face to face interview with Axcis to demonstrate your suitability for this role.

Salary / Pay Rate will be dependent on your skills and experience.

Axcis is an equal opportunities employer and as such we do not discriminate based on age, gender, disability, race or any other equal opportunities criteria.

The company is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. As such, you will be required to provide an up to date DBS, or be prepared to allow Axcis to process one on your behalf, in addition to other mandatory compliance checks in line with the DfE guidelines (for details please see our website).

If the position you are applying for involves working with children or vulnerable adults, this post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (ROA) 1974.