Ecology Biology And Geographical Learning Practitioner

Ecology Biology and Geographical Learning Practitioner

Do you have a desire to share your passion for the outdoors and beautiful British wildlife?

Are you passionate about issues such as climate change?

Would you like the opportunity to inspire young people?

Do you believe that interactions with, and understanding of, the natural world has healing properties and is excellent for mental health?

Arun Court Mental Health Recovery School in beautiful Bramley (near Guildford) is looking for a keen new staff member to facilitate our exciting ecology and geographical sciences offer. You may be an education officer with an association like the Woodland Trust, a keen amateur conservationist and volunteer, or a graduate in a relatable subject such as entomology or geology! We are open to all routes but would like someone who is keen to take the role further to either consider HLTA or QTS longer term. 

You would be working alongside our existing forest school leader to ensure that young people get a highly practical experience whilst working towards OCR biology and geography. 

Key Details:

• This role is initially part time, 3 days per week, at £11,400 

• with the opportunity to potentially be full time at £19,000 per annum for the right candidate

• School day is 9:30 – 4:30 

• This is a salaried role (so you can plan your finances) and is term time only 

• Pension scheme 

• Friendly, happy and motivated staff

• Small setting of 20 students with high anxiety needs 

This job requires you to:

Have very good knowledge of GCSE level biology and geography (able to tutor a small group at this level with planning support from a qualified teacher)

Have a good level of fitness so you can lead nature walks and work safely and confidently in our woodland area which is in Birtley House grounds. We also organise trips to various local National Trust and Woodland Trust sites. 

Be an enthusiast! 

Have good overall UK nature knowledge, be able to use identification keys with young people confidently and accurately 

Have creative ideas for engaging young people with nature. 

Have GCSE maths and English passes (or equivalent) and a good working level of English and maths 

Desirable but by no means essential:

Minibus license 

A level or higher in geography, biology or ecology 

Experience of working with young people 

Ability in an associated craft like whittling, outdoor art

Ability to teach outward bounds type activities such as camping, orienteering 

Safeguarding 

This role will be subject to an enhanced DBS check and further checks. Checks will be on-going. 

We are a setting for extremely vulnerable young people and as such we are very aware that we will attract those who may have undesirable intentions towards children. We are committed to ensuring that children, young people and vulnerable adults are safeguarded when in our care. As such we are unable to accept CVs. If you like what you see and are interested in working with us, you will need to visit ETeach or Indeed where we advertise all our current vacancies. 

We follow a rigorous selection and interview process, and all applications are via an ETeach application form which we carefully consider. All posts with us are subject to continued checks, including references, disbarred from teaching, disbarred from working with young people, section 128 and DBS, and we continue to monitor the behaviours and working practices of all adults, including freelance practitioners and volunteers closely, to ensure all students are safe, happy and learning well. 

In addition, adults are expected to make a declaration each term that they are fit to work with children and further checks are made on their current status. Prospective teachers and helpers can join our ETeach portal to be notified of vacancies as they arise. 

All adults, including visiting professionals, are expected to have high standards of professional conduct and put the safety of young people first at all times. At this setting we have a live and real belief that 'It could happen anywhere' and staff have lots of supervision opportunities in which to raise any concerns they may have regarding fellow staff members in confidence.

Interviews and Applications 

If you would like to tour the sites and discuss the role, this can be facilitated on Thursday 25th and Friday 26th August please call James to arrange: 07868845421 

Applications should be received by 1st September 

Start date: ASAP  

This vacancy has been extended to Monday 10th October, please contact us for more details.

We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applicants of every race, all faiths, genders, sexual orientations, and ages. You will need to be over 18 for this role though. 

More about Arun Court School

Our Ethos and Mission 

Get well. Get in control. Find your voice. Get back into learning. Get strong. Take back control. 

Our very special school

We specialise in supporting young people who do not have a typical diagnosis on their EHCP. We are a very small, nurturing setting that blends learning opportunity with intensive support in maintaining positive mental health as well as developing social and life skills. 

Our young people may have no SEN diagnosis, or may have a primary diagnosis of ASD, ADHD, Dyslexia alongside acute anxiety or phobia needs. We also cater for the very small number of young people whose EHCP is awarded primarily under the ‘H’ as they have suffered significant trauma. We do not take physical needs. 

We operate more akin to a hospital school or tier 4 mental health unit, and the setting is very relaxed with different areas and levels of support depending on where young people are in their journey. We use our beautiful local area every day as we believe that nature and being out in nature heals. Meditation, massage, mindfulness, coaching & yoga are on offer throughout each school day. There is a great deal of negotiated learning and options, rather than set tasks.

Website: www.aruncourtschoolsurrey.com