Forest School Leader
Southfield School, Hatfield, Hertfordshire, AL10 8NN28 days remaining to apply
Start date details
TBC
Closing date
27 February 2026 at 11:59pm
Date listed
29 January 2026
Job details
Job role
- Other support roles
Visa sponsorship
- Visas cannot be sponsored
Working pattern
- Full time
Contract type
- Permanent
Full-time equivalent salary
- £25,989.00 - £32,061.00 Annually (FTE) H3 / 6 - H6 / 19 dependant on qualifications & experience.
Forest School Leader job summary
About the Role
As Forest School Leader, you will:
Plan, develop and deliver a high-quality Forest School programme rooted in Forest School ethos and principles
Lead engaging sessions including outdoor cookery, environmental stewardship, woodworking, shelter building and creative play
Create inclusive, child-centred experiences that promote independence, curiosity and confidence
Support pupils’ emotional wellbeing, resilience, teamwork and communication skills
Work closely with teachers, support staff, SENDCo and families to meet individual pupil needs
Ensure high standards of health, safety and safeguarding, including risk assessments and safe tool use
Maintain records, evaluations and contribute to wider curriculum development
The role involves regular outdoor work in all weather conditions and may include opportunities to lead after-school clubs.
About You
We are looking for someone who:
Holds a Forest School Level 3 qualification (or is willing to work towards it)
Has experience working with primary-aged children, including those with SEN
Has recent experience planning and leading Forest School or outdoor learning sessions
Holds (or is willing to obtain) paediatric/16-hour outdoor first aid and food hygiene certificates
Has strong knowledge of child development, safeguarding and health & safety
Is organised, adaptable, creative and able to work independently and as part of a team
Has a genuine passion for outdoor learning and inspiring children to thrive
What We Offer
A supportive school environment committed to inclusion and wellbeing
The opportunity to shape and develop a Forest School from the ground up
Ongoing professional development and training
The chance to make a meaningful difference to children’s lives through outdoor learning
Southfield School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people.
All appointments are subject to an Enhanced DBS check with Children’s Barred List.
Further information about the job
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.
View advert on external website (opens in new tab)About Southfield School
- School type
- Special school, ages 4 to 11
- School size
- 102 pupils enrolled
- Age range
- 4 to 11
- Ofsted report
- View Ofsted report
- School website
- Southfield School website
Dear Applicant,
Looking for a challenge? Have a desire to work in an environment where you can make a ‘real’ difference to the lives of young
people? If so, Southfield School could be the place for you.
We are a family where no two pupils are alike, and no two members of staff are alike. Our pupils all have challenging
communication difficulties/ASD and associated conditions.
Our school vision is to support all children, so they thrive during their time at Southfield School and are prepared socially,
emotionally, and academically for their next steps in education. Collaboration with parents and carers and the entire multidisciplinary
team who support our pupils is vital and key to our success.
Everyone plays a part in the future of our pupils with staff skills being utilised in order that we have a huge range of expertise, to
support our pupils and families.
We are looking for like-minded, resilient staff who are passionate and who can work in a team. See more about Southfield in
our School Video here: https://southfield-school.secure-primarysite.net/our-school/
Come and join us and make a difference to the lives of children every day.
School location
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