Forest School Leader
St Mary Magdalene Catholic Primary School, a Voluntary Academy, Burnley, Lancashire, BB12 0JD26 days remaining to apply
Start date details
As soon as possible
Closing date
9 February 2026 at 12pm (midday)
Date listed
14 January 2026
Job details
Job role
- Other support roles
Visa sponsorship
- Visas cannot be sponsored
Working pattern
- Part time: 32 hours a week, Monday to Friday, Term time only
Contract type
- Fixed term - 31/12/2026
Actual salary
- £21121 to £24062
Pay scale
- Grade 6, SCP 11-19
What skills and experience we're looking for
Qualifications and Training
Essential
Level 3 Forest School Leader qualification
G.C.S.E.’s in English and Mathematics.
Desirable
Current First Aid Certificate.
Knowledge and Experience
Essential
Experience of working with children.
Ability to motivate and inspire children across age ranges, abilities and confidence levels.
Confident and fair approach to behaviour management, appropriate to the age of the child.
An understanding of Health and Safety requirements of working with children aged 4-11 years.
Knowledge and experience of Forest School provision for children aged 4-11 years.
Understanding of child development and pedagogy within outdoor learning context.
Awareness of sustainable woodland management and education within an outdoor environment.
Desirable
Knowledge and understanding of schools, their ethos and how they work
Skills and Abilities
Essential
Able to work independently and to manage time effectively.
Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
Ability to work individually and as part of a team.
Creative thinking and adaptability to ensure inclusivity and engagement for all learners.
Desirable
Ability to manage support staff and volunteers.
Ability to effectively manage risk and produce thorough risk assessments, putting suitable measures in place to ensure the safety of all staff and children.
Personal Qualities
Essential
Genuine love of nature and the outdoors.
Physically capable of sustaining moderate activity in outdoor environments and a willingness to work outdoors, all year round and in all weather conditions.
A flexible approach to work commitments.
Physically capable of sustaining moderate activity in outdoor environments and a willingness to work outdoors, all year round and in all weather conditions.
Commitment to the Trust’s ethos and values.
Other
Essential
Commitment to safeguarding and protecting the welfare of children and young people.
Commitment to equality and diversity.
Commitment to health and safety.
What the school offers its staff
A school community that embraces the teachings of Christ and nurtures the spiritual, intellectual, and personal growth of each member of our school family.
A dedicated team of governors, teachers, teaching assistants and other staff who strive to ensure that every child is successful, confident and responsible, equipped with all the skills they need to continue on their future learning journey.
Amazing children who are delightful and will share their experiences of being a
pupil at St Mary Magdalene’s with enthusiasm and pride.
A fantastic Forest School space which supports and enriches the children’s learning.
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.
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
Apply for the job by following the link below.
CVs will not be accepted for this application.
View advert on school website (opens in new tab)Upload additional documents
If you need these documents in an accessible format, please contact the school.
About St Mary Magdalene Catholic Primary School, a Voluntary Academy
- School type
- Academy, Roman Catholic, ages 4 to 11
- Education phase
- Primary school
- School size
- 195 pupils enrolled
- Age range
- 4 to 11
- Ofsted report
- View Ofsted report
- Email address
- jgrimshaw@st-marymagdalenesrc.lancs.sch.uk
St Mary Magdalene’s RC Primary School is part of the Romero Catholic Academy Trust and our Mission Statement of ‘Love one another as I have loved you’ underpins everything that we do at St Mary Magdalene’s. We are very fortunate to have such a dedicated team of governors, teachers, support staff and other staff who strive to ensure that every child is successful, confident, and responsibly equipped with all the skills they need to continue on their future learning journey.
The Board of Directors of the Romero Catholic Academy Trust, alongside the Governors of St Mary Magdalene’s RC Primary School, are seeking to recruit an enthusiastic, highly motivated and inspiring person to be our Forest School Leader, working in our fantastic, dedicated on-site woodland space. The right person will be reliable, love working with children and animals and a have a passion for outdoor learning in all weathers! Our children love their Forest School time. We are looking for someone who will create engaging, learning opportunities that enable them to develop creativity, resilience, empathy and a love of the outdoors. You will be supported by leaders and staff and have access to professional development opportunities to grow with us as we develop our outdoor environment.
Arranging a visit to St Mary Magdalene Catholic Primary School, a Voluntary Academy
To arrange a visit and increase the chance of a successful application email jgrimshaw@st-marymagdalenesrc.lancs.sch.uk.
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