Forest School Leader
| Posting date: | 15 January 2026 |
|---|---|
| Hours: | Part time |
| Closing date: | 09 February 2026 |
| Location: | Burnley, Lancashire, BB12 0JD |
| Company: | Teaching Vacancies |
| Job type: | Contract |
| Job reference: | d13983e4-61d8-4845-bdde-e81e14a327aa |
Summary
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 details about the role
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.
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 details about the role
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.