1. IDENTIFICATION OF JOB
Job Title: Outdoor learning leader/HLTA
Responsible to: Head teacher/School Business manager
Responsible for: Volunteers/Lunchtime assistants
2. OVERALL PURPOSE OF JOB
To plan and deliver forest school programmes and lunchtime activities to various user groups in schools including community groups
To develop the out door areas of school grounds to enhance learning outside the classroom
To support learners in classroom
3. MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES
a) Lead the Forest Schools programme, teaching in the grounds and in local woodland areas
b) Write and check risk assessments for the sites, equipment and tools used
c) Ensure health & safety procedures relating to children, volunteers and staff are observed
d) Manage any fire site safely
e) Recruit and manage volunteers ensuring appropriate DBS checks and induction is carried out
f) Check and maintain tools and other kit. Budget for replacement resources.
g) Where necessary, liaise with other schools and other groups
h) Lead groups of children for specified periods of time as directed by senior staff
To carry out all other such duties as may from time to time be determined by the head teacher or other senior staff
PERSON SPECIFICATION
JOB TITLE: Outdoor Learning Leader
Area A EXPERIENCE
The postholder will be expected to have
Ø Relevant experience or working in the formal education sector or in the voluntary sector with young people
Ø Experience of working with children and young people in the woodland environment and outdoors
Ø Experience of supporting young children in class
Area B KNOWLEDGE
The postholder is expected to have
Ø A good general knowledge of wildlife and conservation issues
Ø A knowledge and understanding of woodland ecology
Ø An understanding of Health & Safety requirements and welfare issues of working with young children
Ø First Aid Certificate
Ø Forest school leaders Level 3 qualification or bushcraft equivalent
Ø NVQ 3 or above in areas relating to educating and supporting children
Area C SKILLS
The post holder will need to have:
Ø Good organisational skills
Ø Excellent communication skills both written and particularly verbal within a wide age range
Ø Ability to work in a team
Area D PERSONAL QUALITIES
Ø Self motivation
Ø Flexibility
Ø Love of the outdoors
Ø Sense of fun
JOB SPECIFICATIONJOB TITLE: Outdoor Learning Leader – Forest Schools
1. Undertaking a variety of work activities, occasionally complex and non-routine. Also to work both alone, and in collaboration with others in different situations. These activities include:
Ø Lead the Forest Schools programme with and without class teachers
Ø Lead lunch time activities and games
Ø Write and check risk assessments for the sites and tools used and related activities
Ø Support colleagues to write and check visit forms
Ø Ensuring that health & safety procedures relating to all participants are observed
Ø Manage the fire site safely.
Ø Routinely maintain areas used for outdoor learning i.e sensory garden
Ø Recruit and manage volunteers.
Ø Check, maintain and replace tools and other kit including play resources
Ø Carry out checks of grounds for hazards and risks
Ø Plan events to promote understanding of environmental issues for the school community
Ø To work in class rooms to support and leading learning
2. Liaising, communicating and advising regularly with a limited range of contacts; these include:
Ø Teachers/leaders
Ø Lunchtime staff
Ø Community groups
Ø Landowners as necessary
Ø Partner organisations such as the Forestry Commission, Woodlands Trust, NCC or City Council, Volunteers, West Earlham Junior school
Ø Audiences of 10+, usually children and young people.
3. The post holder will be expected to work as part of a team and independently
4. The post holder will organise plan rotas for Forest Schools and lunchtime activities
5. The post holder will plan and lead outdoor games and lunchtime activities
4. In order for the organisation to work effectively, you may be required to assist with other areas of work and therefore you should be prepared to undertake other duties appropriate to the post as delegated by your line manager.
5. All staff are required to abide by organisational policies and procedures.
Updated Jun 2013