Outdoor Learning Lead

Danecourt School, Gillingham, Kent, ME8 6AA

22 days remaining to apply

• Start date details

  TBC

• Closing date

  20 May 2026 at 11:59pm

• Date listed

  28 April 2026

Job details

• Job role:
  • Pastoral, health and welfare
• Visa sponsorship: Visas cannot be sponsored
• Working pattern: Part time
• Contract type: Permanent
• Full-time equivalent salary: £28,598.00 - £36,363.00 Annually (FTE) Medway C2 (12 - 25) £24,707.27 - £31,982.81 Actual Salary + SEN Allowance £1539

Outdoor Learning Lead job summary

Join Danecout School as an Outdoor Learning Lead! Where nature, nurture and learning come together to help every child thrive.

Hours: TBC Contract: Permanent Time Time Only: 39 weeks per year Start Date: TBC Actual Salary: Medway C2 (12 - 25) £24,707.27 - £31,982.81 Actual Salary + SEN Allowance £1539

Are you passionate about outdoor learning and ready to inspire children with SEND through meaningful, hands-on experiences beyond the classroom?

Danecourt School is seeking an enthusiastic and creative Outdoor Learning Lead (Forest School Leader) to develop and deliver our outdoor learning programme, helping pupils build confidence, communication, resilience and curiosity through nature-based learning.

Danecourt is a specialist SEND school within the Maritime Academy Trust, supporting pupils with a wide range of needs. We believe learning happens everywhere — and our outdoor spaces play a powerful role in supporting wellbeing, engagement and personal development.

About the Role

As Outdoor Learning Lead at Danecourt, you will take ownership of our outdoor learning provision and work closely with teachers, leaders and therapists to create safe, inspiring and inclusive learning experiences.

You will:

• Lead and organise Danecourt’s outdoor learning and forest school programme

• Plan and deliver child-led, inclusive sessions that develop resilience, teamwork, communication and problem-solving

• Create engaging outdoor environments that support pupils’ emotional, social and academic development

• Work collaboratively with class teams to link outdoor learning to classroom practice

• Manage risk assessments, tools, equipment and fire site safety

• Maintain and develop outdoor spaces, including planting and resources

• Champion inclusion, wellbeing and pupil voice through experiential learning

This is a hands-on leadership role where your creativity and passion for outdoor education will directly impact pupils’ confidence and engagement.

Who you Are

We’re looking for someone who is:

• Passionate about outdoor, experiential and forest school learning

• Experienced in leading outdoor learning activities (Forest School qualification desirable but not essential)

• Confident working with children with SEND or keen to develop in this area

• Organised, safety-focused and reflective in practice

• Creative, calm and nurturing in approach

• A strong communicator who builds positive relationships with pupils and colleagues

• A team player committed to safeguarding and professional development

You’ll enjoy creating spaces where pupils feel safe to explore, take risks and succeed.

What We Offer

Danecourt offers a welcoming and inclusive environment where support staff are valued as key members of the team. As part of the Maritime Academy Trust, we offer meaningful career opportunities, collaborative working, and the chance to help pupils with SEND thrive.

Here’s what you can expect:

• A supportive, team-based culture, where collaboration is key across classrooms and satellite provisions

• Work-Life Balance role, you’ll benefit from the same school holiday schedule, giving you more time to focus on your well-being and enjoy a healthy work-life balance

• Access to specialist facilities, therapy support, outdoor learning spaces, and sensory playrooms that enrich the learning experience

• Access to regular training, including CPD for support staff to build confidence and expertise

• A strong sense of purpose, where your contribution directly impacts pupil progress, confidence and wellbeing

• Local Government Pension Scheme and National terms & conditions

• Employee Assistance Programme and wellbeing support

• Join a school that is proud to be the Winner of the Primary Special School Provision category at the Medway Parents and Carers Forum SEND Awards.

Ready to Make a Difference?

We’d love to welcome you for a visit — come and see what makes Danecourt so special. Please contact the school office on 01634 232589 to arrange.

You’ll find more about the role, school, and Trust in the Candidate Information Pack attached. Apply now via My New Term — we may interview and appoint as applications are received, so don’t delay!

Danecourt School and the Maritime Academy Trust are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. We embrace diversity and equal opportunity, striving to build a team that reflects a range of backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences. The more inclusive we are, the stronger we become. All appointments are subject to an Enhanced DBS check and online checks in line with the latest safeguarding guidance.

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

Maritime Academy Trust is committed to recruiting with care and safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Appointment will be subject to a satisfactory enhanced DBS and pre-employment checks.

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 Danecourt School

• School type: Academy, ages 4 to 11
• School size: 257 pupils enrolled
• Age range: 4 to 11
• Ofsted report: View Ofsted report
• School website: Danecourt School website
• See more jobs: teaching-vacancies.service.gov.uk/organisations/danecourt-school

Danecourt is a special school catering for primary aged children who have special educational needs. The school caters for children with a wide breadth of need including complex learning difficulties, autism and social emotional mental health needs.

At Danecourt our mission is to provide all pupils with a “stimulating learning environment that allows children to explore through a personalised curriculum to become STARS!

Self reliant Team Player Aspirational Resilient Successful

The highly trained staff teams maintain high expectations of what each individual pupil is able to achieve, striving to ensure that they all achieve their maximum potential; celebrating difference and encouraging curiosity and creativity. Staff work collaboratively with families and a range of other agencies in order to meet the pupils needs and as a result, they make strong progress academically, emotionally and socially. Pupil achievement is hugely valued and celebrated in a manner that is meaningful and appropriate for each pupil.

School location

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