Job Introduction
Forest School Leader
Closing date: 11th May at 12 noon
Interview: TBC
Job Start Date: As soon as possible, to be negotiated with successful candidate
Contract: Permanent
Hours of work: 31.75 hours (8.30am – 3.30pm 4 days, 8.30am –4pm 1 day)
Hours could be negotiated
Salary Type: Support Staff
Salary Details: Grade E (depending on experience) FTE £33,178 - £36,369
Pro rata: £24,353.06 - £26,695.29 (31.75 hours per week 39 weeks per year)
We are seeking a passionate and motivated Forest School Leader to join Riverside Community Special School and play a key role in enriching our outdoor learning provision. This is a new and exciting opportunity for the successful candidate to help shape and develop our forest school approach, fostering a love of nature and hands-on learning across the school.
The Forest School Leader will work closely with class teachers and other support staff to plan and deliver engaging outdoor sessions that support pupils’ social, emotional and educational development. The role will involve leading forest school activities, promoting safe and inclusive outdoor experiences, and contributing to the wider curriculum through creative and child-centred learning in a natural environment.
About Riverside Community Special School
We are a maintained special school in Hampshire, proudly supporting pupils with moderate and severe learning difficulties. We offer a nurturing environment where every child is valued. Our school includes a main site and a satellite provision, with spacious grounds.
At Riverside, we work together as a motivated and dedicated team to make a lasting difference to our children, families, and community. We place wellbeing at the heart of everything we do, helping pupils to flourish.
With a new Headteacher recently in post, the school is embarking on an exciting period of positive change and long‑term development.
About you
The successful candidate will be:
- An enthusiastic and motivated Forest School Leader
- Passionate about outdoor learning and working with children with additional needs
- Passionate about play based, child led learning with experience in planning engaging Forest School sessions based on children’s interests
- Flexible, approachable and a team player
- An excellent communicator
- Experienced in working with children with a range of special educational needs and adapting their approach to meet the needs of each individual
What we offer
- The chance to make a tangible difference to children in a special school setting and to shape the curriculum provision for our Forest School Provision
- A collaborative, motivated and dedicated team culture that celebrates achievements and supports professional development
- Incredible children who enjoy school life and thrive in our busy school
- Opportunities to develop your own practice, with excellent CPD
- The opportunity to join our team during an exciting period of change and lead sustained and substantial development within our outdoor learning provision.
We are looking for someone who can lead our Forest School with professionalism, integrity and excitement. Please see job description, role profile and person specification for further details.
To apply for this role please email the school office adminoffice@riverside.hants.sch.uk for an application form.
Visits to the school are warmly welcomed and actively encouraged. Please contact the school office on 02392 250138 or email adminoffice@riverside.hants.sch.uk to book a visit with our Headteacher.
Safer Recruitment
We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. We will ensure that all our recruitment and selection practices reflect this commitment. All successful candidates will be subject to Disclosure and Barring Service checks along with other relevant employment checks.
Attached documents
