Outdoor Learning Lead

Salary: £140-£200 per day (Flexible based on experience)

Employment Type: Temporary/Contract for 1 full Academic Year, Full-time, 1st of September start

Are you a passionate educator driven by the belief that the great outdoors is the ultimate classroom? We are seeking an Outdoor Learning Lead to pioneer and implement high-quality outdoor education across our academy. This is a unique opportunity to lead the strategic development of our outdoor spaces, fostering a culture of independence, responsibility, and well-being for every pupil.

This role is about more than supervision; it is about being the architect of a student's engagement with the natural world. You will be at the forefront of our OPAL (Outdoor Play and Learning) programme and Forest School provision, ensuring that every child, regardless of their starting point, can access meaningful, safe, and life-enhancing outdoor experiences.

Benefits

• An extra week of holiday for all staff, provided as a two-week half-term in October.
• Access to a staff mindfulness programme, a free mindfulness app, the staff counselling service, and guest speakers on wellbeing.
• Outstanding professional development opportunities and excellent promotion prospects within a wider network.
• Gym membership, staff fitness classes, and discounts at local shops and restaurants.
• An on-site nursery and a focus on flexible and part-time working whenever possible.

Responsibilities:

• Programme Oversight: Take overall responsibility for the OPAL programme, including its planning, implementation, and ongoing improvement.

• Space Innovation: Oversee the development and maintenance of outdoor spaces to maximise learning, play, and wellbeing opportunities.
• Forest School Leadership: Plan, lead, and evaluate high-quality Forest School sessions, ensuring all experiences are safe and engaging.
• Student Leadership: Develop and lead a student leadership programme focused on outdoor provision, empowering pupils to take active roles.
• Safety & Excellence: Ensure all outdoor activities meet strict health and safety requirements, including risk assessments and safeguarding expectations.

Requirements:

• Relevant qualification in education, outdoor learning, or childcare. A current First Aid and Forest School qualification are highly desirable.

• Proven experience in leading or delivering outdoor learning provisions such as Forest School or OPAL.

• Strong knowledge of health and safety requirements in outdoor environments and expertise in risk assessment procedures.

• Experience managing groups of pupils safely in outdoor settings and promoting positive engagement.

Even if you don't meet every single criteria listed, if you are a resilient individual with a genuine passion for supporting students and a willingness to learn, we would still love to hear from you.

Could this be your next challenge? Please apply via this page with a copy of your CV.

DISCLAIMER

Important Notice

Dovetail and Slate is a specialist education recruitment company. If this role isn't quite right, we welcome your CV and a call to explore other opportunities.

We are committed to safeguarding children and vulnerable adults. All appointments are subject to satisfactory vetting, including a right to work check and, where relevant, an enhanced DBS, PVG (Scotland), or EWC (Wales) check, in line with Keeping Children Safe in Education

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Dovetail and Slate Ltd (11351060) acts as an Employment Agency and an Employment Business under the Conduct of Employment Agencies and Employment Businesses Regulations 2003.

We are an equal opportunities employer. By applying, you consent to your data being processed for recruitment purposes in line with our Privacy Policy.

Because education matters.

Dovetail and Slate Limited.

Because education matters. Dovetail and Slate Limited (11351060) acts as an Employment Business.