Assistant Teacher/Forest School Practitioner

Oakfield Academy, Southampton, Hampshire, SO40 3LN

26 days remaining to apply

• Closing date

  16 August 2026 at 11:59pm

• Date listed

  21 July 2026

Job details

• Job role:
  • Teacher or lecturer
• Visa sponsorship: Visas cannot be sponsored
• Working pattern: Part time
• Contract type: Permanent
• Full time equivalent salary: £18,220.02 - £18,463.30 Annually (Actual) Grade B £25,614 - £25,956 FTE

Assistant Teacher/Forest School Practitioner job summary

Job Title: Assistant Teacher/Forest School Practitioner
Location: Oakfield Academy Hours: 30 hours per week, Monday to Friday, 8:45am to 3:15pm (including a 30-minute unpaid lunch break) Contract: Term Time Only, INSET Days plus 1 additional week (40 weeks per year) Salary: Grade B £25,614 - £25,956 FTE - Actual Annual Salary £18,220.02 - £18,463.30

Join Our Team

We have an exciting opportunity to join Oakfield Academy in a unique dual role that combines classroom support with outdoor learning.

At Oakfield, we passionately believe that all children, whatever their individual circumstances, should feel secure, included, valued and challenged in all aspects of school life. We place children at the centre of every action and decision we make and strive to ensure they leave Oakfield as skilled, confident and well-rounded individuals, fully prepared for the challenges of secondary school and adulthood.

Do you:

• Love working with children and put their wellbeing first?

• Have a positive approach to supporting others?

• Have high expectations of behaviour and achievement?

• Bring energy, enthusiasm and drive to your work?

• Want to be part of something special?

• Love the outdoors and enjoy inspiring young minds through hands-on learning?

• Thrive in all weather conditions and enjoy getting involved in practical activities?

If you answered yes, we would love to hear from you.

About the Role

This varied role will see you supporting children's learning in the classroom during the morning and working alongside our Forest School Leader in the afternoon to deliver engaging outdoor learning experiences.

You will play an important role in helping children achieve their academic potential while also developing confidence, resilience, teamwork and a lifelong appreciation of the natural world.

We Are Looking For Someone Who:

• Works effectively as part of a team.

• Brings enthusiasm, positivity, patience and a sense of humour.

• Has a good understanding of child development.

• Has a good standard of English and mathematics to support curriculum learning.

• Can help foster an inclusive classroom environment that celebrates diversity and promotes mutual respect.

• Communicates sensitively and effectively with children, colleagues and parents/carers.

• Has a passion for outdoor learning and child-centred education.

• Can build positive relationships with children and inspire curiosity and confidence.

An understanding of the Forest School ethos and knowledge of nature and/or bushcraft skills would be an advantage, but is not essential.

Key Responsibilities

Assistant Teacher

• Support class teachers in delivering high-quality learning experiences.

• Provide one-to-one and small group interventions to support children's progress.

• Promote positive behaviour and attitudes to learning in line with school policies.

• Help create an engaging and inclusive learning environment.

• Support lunchtime supervision and children's wellbeing throughout the school day.

• Work collaboratively with colleagues to support children's academic, social and emotional development.

Forest School Practitioner

• Assist the Forest School Leader in planning and delivering engaging outdoor learning experiences.

• Support the teaching of practical outdoor skills, including shelter building, knot tying, safe tool use and fire management.

• Help children develop an appreciation and understanding of the natural environment.

• Encourage teamwork, resilience, problem-solving and communication through outdoor activities.

• Support environmental education and responsible conservation practices.

• Assist in ensuring the safety and wellbeing of all children participating in Forest School activities.

• Help prepare, organise and maintain equipment and outdoor learning spaces.

Desirable Experience and Qualifications

• Experience working with children in an educational, childcare or recreational setting.

• Knowledge of the Forest School ethos and outdoor learning approaches.

• Nature-based or bushcraft skills.

• First Aid qualification or willingness to undertake training.

• Forest School training or qualifications.

Previous experience within a school setting is desirable but not essential. Training and ongoing professional development will be provided to support the successful candidate in both aspects of the role.

In Return We Offer

• Opportunities for professional learning and nationally recognised qualifications.

• A positive and supportive working environment.

• Complimentary tea, coffee and biscuits.

• Access to technology and resources to support your role.

• Staff benefits programme, including a Cycle to Work scheme.

• A strong commitment to staff wellbeing, including:

• 24/7 Employee Assistance Programme

• Free flu vaccination

• Eye care vouchers

• Discounted lunches from our excellent in-house kitchen.

• Free on-site staff parking.

Find Out More

To learn more about our school, ethos and values, please visit our website or Facebook page to get a real feel for life at Oakfield Academy.

Visits to the school are warmly welcomed. It is important to us, and to our children, that we find the right person for this role.

We regularly review applications and reserve the right to close this vacancy early if suitable candidates are identified. Early application is therefore encouraged.

Safeguarding Statement

The Gateway Trust is an equal opportunities employer and is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. Applicants must be willing to undergo child protection screening appropriate to the post, including checks with previous employers and an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.

Further information about the job

The candidate will be required to undergo a full enhanced DBS check and must be eligible to work in the UK.

Visas cannot be sponsored.

If you're interested in teaching or training to teach in England as an international citizen, we can help you understand your next steps.

Commitment to safeguarding

Our organisation is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. We expect all staff, volunteers and trustees to share this commitment.

Our recruitment process follows the keeping children safe in education guidance.

Offers of employment may be subject to the following checks (where relevant):
childcare disqualification
Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS)
medical
online and social media
prohibition from teaching
right to work
satisfactory references
suitability to work with children

You must tell us about any unspent conviction, cautions, reprimands or warnings under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975.

Applying for the job

This school accepts applications through their own website, where you may also find more information about this job.

CVs will not be accepted for this application.

About Oakfield Academy

• Organisation type: Academy, ages 4 to 11
• Education phase: Primary school
• Size: 162 pupils enrolled
• Age range: 4 to 11
• Ofsted report: View Ofsted report
• Website: Oakfield Academy website
• See more jobs: teaching-vacancies.service.gov.uk/organisations/oakfield-primary-school-so40-3ln

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