Senior Learning Associate (Primary, KS2) - UK's first fully outdoor school

Senior Learning Associate Role for KS2, at London’s first fully outdoor school.

About Liberty Woodland School

Liberty Woodland School is a co-educational, independent school for pupils aged 4 to 16 years. We have designed a school to work with and for children; a school that ensures every child meets their potential and will be those most likely to succeed in the 21st century.

As a growing school as our numbers increase, we are looking for more amazing people to join our team at Liberty Woodland School! We have designed a school to work with and for children. A school that develops children to the best of their potential, into the children who will be those most likely to succeed in the 21st century and into those children who will leave a lasting legacy on this planet.

The Role- to start September 2023

Key Responsibilities-Key Stage 2, Primary.

• To plan meaningful learning opportunities, in an environment designed to be a stimulating experience using creativity and curiosity to ignite imagination and innovation.
• Work alongside the children towards exhibitions where authentic audiences will experience public celebrations of our learning.
• Interact with children to promote learning through play.
• Support and scaffold children.
• Become a learner, engaging alongside the children in encountering the world with curiosity, wonder and awe. 
• Plan and prepare purposeful schemes of work that align with the school’s curriculum and outdoor learning policies.
• Ensure the learning environment meets the needs and interests of the children, having an awareness of any physical or learning disabilities, family cultures and medical history.
• Ensure there are a variety of opportunities for active and interactive learning, for children to have an effect and to change the environment, and for social interaction with adults and other children.
• Provide encouragement, warmth and acceptance to the children, along with challenges for creative and complex learning and thinking, helping them to extend their ideas and actions through sensitive, informed, well-judged interventions and support. 
• Participate in regular observations and reflections of projects to ensure the children’s interest and development are incorporated into the schemes of work and projects.
• Develop and maintain strong partnerships and communication with parents/carers to facilitate day-to-day learning needs and encourage family involvement.
• Advocate to the greater public the value of exemplary education and outdoor learning. 

Safeguarding

• Promoting and safeguarding the welfare of the students.
• Adhere to any relevant Policies about Keeping Children Safe, ongoing safeguarding, Equal Opportunities, Data Protection and Confidentiality
• Advise DSL of any concerns, e.g. over children, parents, the safety of the environment, preserving confidentiality as necessary.
• Read, understand and adhere to all policies and procedures relevant to your role and the safe running of the school.
• Keep completely confidential any information regarding the children, their families or other staff that is acquired as part of the job.
• Ensure good standards of safety, hygiene and cleanliness are maintained at all times.
• Observe learner behaviour and ensure the safety and good conduct of the students.

Other Professional Duties

• Remain appropriately professional at all times.
• Promote the Liberty Woodland School and Outdoor Learning ethos and work alongside the Head of School and staff team to ensure that the school’s philosophy is fulfilled.
• Help maintain equipment and resources.
• Support all staff and play a key part in keeping team morale high.
• Be aware of the high profile of the school and to uphold its standards at all times, both in work hours and outside. 
• Carry out such duties, including cover for absent colleagues, as required by the Head of School, punctually and efficiently. 
• Contribute imaginatively to the co-curricular, extra-curricular and sporting programmes of the School as required by the Head of School, and be prepared to run or assist with activities beyond lesson times and on Saturdays when required.
• Attend whole school meetings, staff meetings, parents’ evenings, open days, Inset days, training and similar important events both in and out of normal working hours.
• Take part in the school’s performance management scheme and appraisal on an annual/biannual basis. 
• Due to the outdoor element of the school there are physical demands of this role. The work is practical by definition and moderate levels of physical effort. It involves lifting and handling of training equipment, play equipment and other resources and to be involved in practical activities and physical care of learners and the environment. Activities are mainly out of doors and this will require walking and managing on uneven surfaces and in unpredictable weather conditions. You are required to be a role model for the staff and learners you work with, adhering to the Health & Safety procedures.

Qualification and Experience

• PGCE or QTS required 
• Paediatric First Aid desirable
• Forest School Level 2/3 desirable
• Experience of working with 4 to 11 year olds in a primary school setting
• Experience within an outdoor education environment desirable

Personal Attributes and Skills

• Flexibility and adaptability
• Positive attitude towards outdoor education 
• Passion and creativity 
• High-energy, active and resilient 
• Excellent communication skills
• Team player
• Approachable and caring
• Reliable and respectful when interacting with parents, colleagues and the community
• A love of the outdoors

Our Commitment to Safeguarding

The School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. The successful candidate will be subject to an enhanced DBS check in addition to other vetting checks and will also must be able to provide satisfactory references. All school staff complete Safeguarding training, both during induction and on an ongoing basis.

Please Note: Due to the outdoor element of the school there are physical demands of this role. The work is practical by definition and moderate levels of physical effort. It involves lifting and handling of training equipment, play equipment and other resources and to be involved in practical activities and physical care of learners and the environment. Activities are mainly out of doors and this will require walking and managing on uneven surfaces and in unpredictable weather conditions. You are required to be a role model for the staff and learners you work with, adhering to the Health & Safety procedures.