Outdoor Learning Coordinator

Purpose of the Job:

• To co-ordinate, develop and deliver a creative, therapeutic and engaging outdoor learning and enrichment programme that connects children and young adults with nature, promoting curiosity, independence, wellbeing and a sense of belonging.
• To support the Foundation’s Enrichment for All commitment by ensuring every child and young adult can access inclusive and meaningful experiences that develop their talents, interests, aspirations, resilience and confidence.
• To uphold the Foundation’s Quality of Life and Positive Behaviour Support ethos, promoting the Foundation’s values of belonging, respect, kindness, collaboration, integrity and inclusion while supporting positive relationships, emotional wellbeing and personal development.
• To promote diversity, equality and the voice of children and young adults, ensuring they have opportunities to influence and shape their learning and enrichment experiences.
• To work collaboratively with education, therapy, pastoral, residential and family support teams to provide personalised enrichment opportunities that enhance engagement, independence, life skills and overall quality of life.
• To maintain high aspirations for every child and young adult, using enrichment and outdoor learning experiences to broaden horizons, develop confidence, inspire ambition and prepare them for life within their communities.

Skills, Knowledge and Understanding:

• Plan, coordinate or deliver, assess and evaluate outdoor learning sessions across school.
• Be able to use IT and report writing to record and assess student’s achievements and progress.
• Be responsible for outdoor learning equipment, tools and clothing.
• Carry out and maintain all risk assessments.
• Develop the outdoor learning philosophy and ethos across school.
• Plan, lead and evaluate DoE sessions leading to a qualification.
• Lead groups of students with SEMH difficulties and coordinate and lead staff involved in the outdoor learning.
• Work with a range of staff across school.
• Take a leading role in the organisation of ‘holiday experiences’ and other outdoor learning events.
• Be willing to take part in CPD.
• An awareness of current health and safety requirements and current legislation surrounding outdoor education.
• Use the current site facilities to deliver and then go on to develop the outdoors as a learning environment. • Ability to build positive, trusting and therapeutic relationships with children and young people.
• Ability to use pupil voice to inform and shape outdoor learning and enrichment opportunities.
• Ability to promote resilience, confidence, independence and positive risk-taking through outdoor learning experiences.

Support for Students:

• Ensure PBS (Positive Behaviour Support) supports human rights and supports respect, dignity and inclusion working in partnership with the person and their family.
• Implement the overall aim of PBS by improving the quality of a person’s life and that of the people around them.
• Use different methods to gather information about the function behind the behaviour and empower people to identify better methods to meet their needs. This will be achieved through the implementation of natural consequences, dialogue, clearly defined boundaries and high expectations which helps young people begin to independently develop their own strategies and make improved choices over time.
• To adopt the role of a Key Worker and attend to students’ personal needs and provide advice to assist in their social, emotional and mental health needs and development.

Support for the curriculum:

• Implement agreed learning activities/teaching programmes, adapting activities according to student responses/needs.
• Determine the need for, prepare and use specialist equipment, plans and resources to support students, including where these need outsourcing by external partners.

Support for the school:

• Be aware of and comply with policies and procedures relating to child protection, health, safety and security, confidentiality and data protection, reporting all concerns to an appropriate person.
• Be aware of and support differences and ensure all students have equal access to opportunities to learn and develop.
• Contribute to the overall ethos/work/aims of the school.
• Attend and participate in regular meetings.
• Participate in training and other learning activities as required.
• Recognise own strengths and areas of expertise and use these to advise and support others.

Supervise students on visits, trips and out of school activities as required Managing own performance and development:

• Prioritise and manage own time effectively, particularly in relation to balancing the demands made by teaching, subject management and involvement in school development.
• Achieve challenging professional goals.
• Take responsibility for your own professional development.

Extra-Curricular Activities:

• Participate in a programme of Outdoor Education (normally a total of 2 weeks residential per annum).

Other Specific Requirements:

• To participate in the Foundation’s programme of performance management.
• Understand their professional responsibilities in relation to the Foundation’s policies and practices.
• To participate in whole Foundation training days.
• To ensure your Essential Training/Reading is kept up to date as well as any CPD relevant to the role.
• To work across all Foundation sites as and when required by line management.
• To undertake such other duties appropriate to the post as may from time to time be required to ensure the smooth and efficient running of the Foundation.

How to apply: https://recruit.sampeople.co.uk/Jobboard/Vacancy/Search?TrustId=189&Distance=100

For further information and to arrange an essential visit as part of the recruitment process, please contact HR at the following email address: HR@WHSFOUNDATION.ORG.UK Please note we do not accept CV’s.

The William Henry Smith Foundation is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and adults and expects all staff to share this commitment. The foundation has effective child and adult protection policies which provide clear direction to staff and others about expected codes of behaviour in dealing with safeguarding issues. Our recruitment process aims to create and maintain a safe workforce and contains robust vetting procedures. The successful applicant will be appointed subject to references and enhanced DBS check (this is a position working in regulated activity). The successful candidate will be subject to a rigorous safer recruitment process and must adhere to a strict code of conduct regarding behaviour at all times. Shortlisted candidates will be subject to online searches in accordance with KCSIE 2025. The Foundation is also committed to promoting the spiritual, moral, social and cultural development of both students and staff and reflects life in Modern Britain.