Forest School Practitioner

Samuel Laycock School, Ashton-Under-Lyne, Lancashire, OL6 8RF

12 days remaining to apply

Job start date
1 September 2026
Closing date
17 June 2026 at 9am
Date listed
5 June 2026

Job details

Job role: Learning support or cover supervisor
Visa sponsorship: Visas cannot be sponsored
Working pattern: Part time: 34 hours per week/ Term Time only + 5 days (195 days)
Contract type: Permanent
Full-time equivalent salary: Salary: Scale pts 23-25: £34,434 – £36,363 per annum (full time equivalent)
Actual salary: Actual Salary range pro rata: £27,314 - £28,843
Additional allowances: SEN allowance: £1,539 per annum

What skills and experience we're looking for

The successful candidate will have:

A Forest School Level 3 qualification and an up‑to‑date Outdoor First Aid certificate. Alternatively, candidates who do not yet hold the Level 3 qualification must be willing to undertake it. The school will fully fund this training, provided the candidate signs and commits to a training agreement

A strong passion for outdoor learning and the delivery of a high‑quality Forest School provision

Previous experience of leading, planning and delivering learning activities

Specific experience/interest in working with pupils with SEND

High expectations of young people, and a commitment to raising standards of attainment to ensure that they can achieve their full educational potential

Experience of developing options and alternatives that will support children and young people to engage in the learning process

Experience of enhancement of pupil progress and raising attainment and achievement in all pupils

Experience of current assessment practice and the use of data and pupil progress tracking to ensure that all groups of learners achieve

Experience of managing challenging behaviour

The emotional and physical resilience necessary when working with challenging young people with a range of complex needs

The ability to foster positive relationships with other staff, pupils, parents and the wider community

The willingness to be a team player who can work effectively with all members of the school team

Be hardworking, organised and proactive in their own professional development.

Areas of responsibility:

To plan and develop our established Forest School in collaboration with the PE and Outdoor Education lead

To plan, prepare and facilitate a range of Forest School sessions to pupils aged 11-16

Ensure Health & Safety requirements are met, including Risk Assessments which are continually checked and updated

To supervise and support children with varying needs while delivering sessions

To create and maintain an engaging, fun and supportive environment, demonstrating flexibility in planning and running sessions in response to varying/changing needs of pupils

To ensure that all sessions are well prepared and risk assessed

To be aware of and comply with all school Policies and Procedures

To administer basic first aid as the need arises

What the school offers its staff

New Bridge MAT is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and applicants must have a commitment to safeguarding young people. This post is subject to a satisfactory enhanced disclosure from the Disclosure and BarringServiceand references will besoughtprior to interview.

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.