Job Description
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Outdoor Learning Lead
The Haefen Independent Special School
About this Role
LIFE Education Trust has opened The Haefen Independent Special School, a specialist provision for primary-aged pupils whose lead area of need is Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH).
Set within a beautiful rural location surrounded by farmland, The Haefen has a unique outdoor environment which forms an integral part of our educational offer. Our pupils have access to a private beach area, dedicated woodland and extensive outdoor spaces, and we are now looking to further develop our provision through the creation of a school allotment and growing area alongside our children.
We are seeking an enthusiastic, creative and highly motivated Outdoor Learning Lead who can take responsibility for developing and delivering this important area of our curriculum.
At The Haefen, outdoor learning is not an occasional enrichment activity. It is a fundamental part of how we support our pupils to learn, regulate, build relationships, develop confidence and reconnect positively with education.
Our outdoor curriculum includes Beach School, woodland and nature-based learning, practical environmental activities and, increasingly, gardening, growing and allotment-based learning. We want our Outdoor Learning Lead to build upon these opportunities and help us make full use of the exceptional environment surrounding our school.
The successful candidate will understand that, for children with SEMH needs, some of the most significant learning can happen beyond the traditional classroom. They will be able to use the outdoors creatively to develop academic knowledge alongside communication, teamwork, independence, resilience, emotional regulation, problem-solving and practical life skills.
You will need to be practical, adaptable and comfortable working outdoors throughout the year. Most importantly, you will be able to build trusting relationships with children who may have experienced significant barriers to learning and help them experience success.
This is an exciting opportunity for someone who wants to help shape and lead a distinctive area of provision within a growing specialist school.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead the development of Outdoor Learning across The Haefen, ensuring it is an integral and purposeful part of the school's curriculum.
- Plan and deliver engaging, practical and appropriately adapted outdoor learning experiences for pupils with SEMH and additional SEND.
- Lead and further develop our Beach School provision, making effective use of our private beach and local coastal environment.
- Develop structured learning opportunities within our woodland area, including nature-based learning, practical skills, exploration and environmental education.
- Work alongside pupils and colleagues to design, establish and develop the school's allotment and growing areas, giving children genuine ownership of the project.
- Create opportunities for pupils to grow, harvest, prepare and use produce, developing links between the allotment, healthy living, cooking and life skills.
- Make meaningful links between outdoor learning and the wider curriculum, including science, geography, mathematics, English, design and technology, physical development and our personal development curriculum.
- Use outdoor learning to explicitly develop pupils' emotional regulation, resilience, independence, teamwork, communication, confidence and sense of achievement.
- Adapt activities to reflect pupils' individual developmental stages, SEND, EHCP outcomes and regulation needs.
- Develop progressive outdoor learning opportunities so that pupils build knowledge, skills and independence over time.
- Work collaboratively with teachers, SEMH Learning Support Assistants and senior leaders to ensure outdoor learning complements each pupil's wider educational programme.
- Support colleagues to develop their confidence and skills in using outdoor environments effectively.
- Ensure that outdoor learning activities are appropriately risk assessed and delivered in accordance with safeguarding, health and safety and educational visits requirements.
- Maintain and organise outdoor learning resources, equipment and areas so they remain safe, purposeful and inspiring.
- Contribute to the ongoing development of The Haefen's distinctive curriculum and wider school offer.
Essential Experience and Qualities
The successful candidate will:
- Have experience of working with children and young people, ideally including pupils with SEMH, SEND or barriers to engagement in education.
- Have a genuine passion for outdoor learning and understand its value in supporting children's academic, social and emotional development.
- Be confident planning and leading practical learning experiences in outdoor environments.
- Understand trauma-informed and relational approaches and recognise the importance of relationships, regulation and emotional safety.
- Be able to build positive, trusting relationships with children who may previously have found education difficult.
- Be calm, patient and resilient and able to respond positively to behaviour that may communicate unmet need or dysregulation.
- Be creative and able to identify learning opportunities within the natural environment.
- Be practical and enthusiastic about developing projects alongside pupils, including our woodland provision and school allotment.
- Be comfortable working outdoors throughout the year and adapting activities according to weather, pupil needs and changing circumstances.
- Have strong communication and teamwork skills.
- Understand the importance of risk assessment and safe practice within outdoor learning.
- Be committed to inclusive education and improving outcomes for vulnerable learners.
- Share our values of Courageous Optimism, Boundless Creativity and Heartfelt Compassion.
- Relevant qualifications and /or experience in areas such as Forest School, Beach School, horticulture, environmental education, outdoor education or land-based learning would be highly desirable.
What We Offer
- The opportunity to shape a key element of The Haefen's specialist curriculum.
- A truly unique working environment incorporating private beach access, woodland, farmland and developing allotment and growing areas.
- The freedom and encouragement to develop creative and innovative approaches to outdoor learning.
- The opportunity to work within a small specialist school where outdoor learning is valued as a core part of the educational offer rather than an additional activity.
- Opportunities for Professional Learning and Development, including specialist SEMH and trauma-informed practice.
- A supportive leadership team committed to developing high-quality specialist provision.
- The opportunity to work closely with a small group of pupils and see the direct impact of your work.
- A rewarding role where you can make a genuine difference to children's experiences of education.
- The opportunity to be part of a visionary and inclusive Multi Academy Trust.
Safeguarding
LIFE Education Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. All appointments will be subject to an enhanced DBS check, satisfactory references and appropriate pre-employment checks.
Visits and Application
We warmly welcome prospective applicants to visit The Haefen Independent Special School before applying.
We particularly encourage visits for this role, as seeing our beach, woodland and wider outdoor environment provides a real sense of the exciting opportunities available to the successful candidate.
This is an opportunity to meet the team, explore our unique setting and understand our vision for making learning beyond the classroom an integral part of every child's experience at The Haefen.
Please complete all sections of the application form. Incomplete application forms will not be considered.
Information about the School
LIFE Education Trust is opening a new independent special school to support pupils with Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH) needs. The Haefen, set in a beautiful open location, on farmland, with access to woodland and a private beach area, aims to create a nurturing, structured and inclusive learning environment where every young person feels safe, supported and able to achieve their full potential. Subject to DfE approval, we hope that this incredible school will be ready to welcome pupils in the Autumn Term.
Our school will provide a highly supportive setting with small class sizes, a strong pastoral approach and a dedicated team committed to improving outcomes for children who may have experienced barriers to learning in mainstream education.
We aim to inspire and nurture every child so that they can live, believe, and achieve their true potential.