Job Introduction
Working with young people can be one of the most rewarding and satisfying jobs. It can be hard, and resilience must be high, but building these relationships with young people, being their constant and believing in their value can significantly change their future - the rewards will certainly outweigh the challenges!
Springwell School is located on the edge of the city of Southampton and is a designated day special school for children aged from 4 - 11 years with complex learning difficulties including speech and language disorders, autism, and challenging behaviours.
The school encourages a supportive and positive learning ethos that enables both staff and pupils to work and learn together to develop their full potential, providing the highest possible standards of education and support to children, families, and staff.
An exciting opportunity has arisen to appoint an enthusiastic and motivated individual to the post of PPA Cover – Outdoor Learning across all key stages. The school has excellent facilities such as large spacious classrooms, dedicated teaching areas, large multi-sensory rooms and dedicated arts, cooking, and IT spaces.
Your role will include leading programmes of teaching in Outdoor Learning to include developing and delivering schemes of work for outdoor and life skills that meets the needs of our pupils. When required, you will be responsible for leading an Outdoor Learning Club during lunch period on a weekly basis, utilising the spaces across the school engaging children with life skills, sharing and modelling your practices across the whole school and encouraging and supporting good behaviour with independent learning.
What can we offer you?
- Competitive salary with regular salary progression
- Opportunities for CPD
- Free on-site parking
- Pension Scheme
- Support and training
- Monday – Friday working pattern
- Excellent development opportunities to grow within a positive and supportive team
- Employee Assistance Programme
- Mental Health and Wellbeing Support
Your contribution
- to work individually or with groups of children, to provide PPA cover through teaching outdoor learning enrichment activities and lessons.
- to lead programmes of outdoor learning / life skills that meet the needs of our pupils
- contribute to monitoring and recording pupils progress, including maintaining records, contributing to reviews, and providing feedback to teachers
- can deal with challenging behaviour and provide welfare support in accordance with school policies
- to establish supportive, caring, and secure relationships with the children promoting respect, self-esteem, and a positive, inclusive whole school ethos
- encourage and support good behaviour acting as a positive role model
- ability to plan engaging lessons to motivate and maintain interest of the children
- develop knowledge and understanding of the specific physical and emotional/behavioural needs of individuals and groups of children
Please refer to the Job Description for the full responsibilities of this role and knowledge required.
What will you need?
- GCSE Grade C or above (4 – 9) in Maths and English (or equivalent)
- Relevant professional or vocational qualification or substantial experience of working with children with complex needs (within a school setting is desirable)
- Previous experience of leading outdoor enrichment / life skills activities
- Ability to engage and motivate children
- Proven teaching strategies such as PECS
- Ability to lead whole class activities and lessons
- Excellent communication and administrative skills
- Ability to liaise with staff at all levels
- Have enthusiasm, reliability and resilience
- Strong sense of team work
- Understand the importance of confidentiality and safeguarding
Working pattern – 30 Hours
Monday & Friday: 8.45 am – 3:15 pm
Tuesday – Thursday: 8:55 am – 3:15 pm
How to apply
To apply, please complete the application form on www.springwellschool.net and return to Rachel Ambrey, HR Lead, by email to recruitment@springwellschool.net. Alternatively, please post your completed application to HR at Springwell School, Hinkler Road, Thornhill, Southampton, SO19 6DH. We do not accept CV’s.
Interview process
If successfully shortlisted, you will complete an observation in class prior to a 2-panel, face to face interview. If you have not heard from us by Wednesday 8th October 2025 then you have been unsuccessful at this time.
Safeguarding
Springwell School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Offers of employment will be subject to the full Safer Recruitment process including an enhanced disclosure and barring service check. Following recommendations from Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE) for an additional pre-employment check with effect 1 Sept 22, please note, an online search may form part of this recruitment process.
