Forest School Instructor

Do you believe the best lessons happen around a campfire, beneath the trees, and through hands-on experiences in the great outdoors? At Wessex Lodge School, we're looking for an enthusiastic and inspiring Forest School Instructor to help our pupils discover confidence, resilience and a lifelong connection with nature.

This is far more than an outdoor education role. It's an opportunity to ignite curiosity, nurture wellbeing and help children and young people realise what they're truly capable of.

As our Forest School Instructor, you'll plan and deliver engaging, therapeutic and child-centred Forest School experiences that support pupils' emotional, social and educational development. You'll work closely with pupils with a range of additional needs, adapting activities to ensure every child can access and enjoy the outdoors safely and successfully.

This is an exciting opportunity to shape and develop Forest School provision across three school sites, with the potential to take on lead responsibility for the continued growth and development of outdoor learning within Wessex Lodge School.

Whether it's den building, woodland crafts, tool work, nature exploration or problem-solving challenges, you'll help pupils discover strengths they never knew they had.

What You'll Be Doing

Planning and delivering engaging Forest School sessions that inspire curiosity and confidence
Encouraging resilience, independence, creativity and problem-solving through outdoor experiences
Supporting pupils with additional needs to access meaningful learning opportunities in nature
Leading and coordinating support staff and volunteers during Forest School activities
Completing and reviewing risk assessments to ensure safe and effective practice
Maintaining tools, equipment and outdoor resources to the highest standards
Monitoring pupil engagement, wellbeing and progress, providing feedback to colleagues
Championing the growth and development of Forest School provision across the school community

Passionate about the transformative power of Forest School and outdoor learning
Experienced in working with children and young people, ideally within educational or SEND settings
Skilled at engaging pupils of different ages, abilities and confidence levels
Creative, adaptable and committed to ensuring every child can succeed
Calm, fair and confident in managing behaviour positively
An excellent communicator who thrives both independently and as part of a team
Organised and confident in managing risk and maintaining high standards of safety
Enthusiastic about developing and leading Forest School provision across multiple sites
Full UK Driving Licence

At OFG we allow for greater work life balance and extra time to do the things you love outside work, Learning at Wessex Lodge goes far beyond the classroom. Our outdoor spaces across all three sites offer meaningful opportunities for pupils to regulate, connect and engage. These environments, whether it be out in the the community or time with animals, are key to helping our children feel calm, confident and curious.

Acorn Education offers rewarding careers and meaningful challenges while making a real difference in young people's lives. As a leading UK provider of specialist education for children and young people with special educational needs, and part of Outcomes First Group, we deliver innovative, evidence-based approaches that support measurable progress and lasting impact.

We are really proud to say that in 2025 Outcomes First Group were officially certified as a 'Great Place to Work' for the sixth year running.

Why Join Us?

We place pupils and vulnerable young adults at the heart of everything we do, so every day brings the satisfaction of making a real difference. We are committed to the safeguarding and promoting the welfare of pupils and young people. All applicants will be subject to social media checks and successful applicants to a fully enhanced DBS.

Life Assurance
Pension scheme with options to increase contributions
"Your Wellbeing Matters" - mental health support and physical health checks
Flexible Benefits Platform (Vista), including:
Health, wellbeing and insurance benefits
Hundreds of UK and international discounts
Cycle to Work Scheme & Electric Car Purchase Scheme
Critical illness cover
Family Growth Support, including enhanced maternity/paternity leave and paid fertility treatment support
We reserve the right to close the vacancy early if we receive a high volume of suitable applications.

Outcomes First Group is committed to carrying out a fair, thorough and efficient recruitment process in line with Keeping Children Safe in Education. Whilst we aim to keep applicants informed throughout, Outcomes First Group does not accept liability for any loss of earnings or other associated costs incurred by applicants as a result of delays or changes in the compliance process. All stages of the compliance process are subject to necessary safeguarding checks and compliance with statutory requirements, which may affect timescales.

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