Forest School Lead (maternity)

4 days per week, term time only

Your new school

Gretton School is an independent specialist school for children and young people with Autistic Spectrum Conditions, specifically high functioning autism. We welcome students from 5—19 years old, as weekly boarders or as day students. Based just outside Cambridge, we work with 12 counties to provide a broad and individualised education for these unique and wonderful students. The school is growing and developing, it’s integrated therapeutic team are working tirelessly alongside the management team and the teaching and support staff to further develop our fantastic practise and outcomes. This is a really exciting time for Gretton School, its staff and students, do you have what it takes to share the journey, and effectively support the school to its rightful bright future?

Your new role

We are looking for a Forest School Lead to join our team for maternity cover. The successful candidate will be responsible for planning and leading Forest School sessions throughout the week for learners in Key Stages 2 and 3.

Forest School Principles 

• FS is a long-term process of regular sessions, rather than a one-off or infrequent visits; the cycle of planning, observation, adaptation and review links each session. 
• FS takes place in a woodland or natural environment to support the development of a relationship between the learner and the natural world. 
• FS uses a range of learner-centred processes to create a community for being, development and learning. 
• FS aims to promote the holistic development of all those involved, fostering resilient, confident, independent and creative learners. 
• FS offers learners the opportunity to take supported risks appropriate to the environment and to themselves. 
• Gretton School Forest School is an area to the side of the school field which has been land-scaped and created for forest school, it has a campfire area, trees, slopes, and a pond.  Next to the forest school site is a wildflower meadow rich in insects and wildlife, this will predominantly be used for more structured Outdoor Learning lessons.

What you'll need to succeed 

• Level 3 Qualification in Forest School 
• 16 hour Outdoor First Aid Qualification 
• Have experience working with groups of learners at Forest School and/or in an outdoor environment. 
• An understanding of, or a willingness to become familiar with autism, the challenges facing autistic students and the best approaches to use when working with autistic individuals.

What you'll get in return

Gretton is a friendly school where staff are supportive of each other inside and outside of the classroom and there is an opportunity to really make a difference to the lives of our students and their families. Gretton has a person-centred focus, providing each child with a personalised education and care programme tailored to help meet their unique needs. At Gretton, our staff are like family, so don’t delay and apply today to join the Gretton family.

What you need to do now

If you're interested in this role, call Brett Coventry on 020 3818 7040

Safeguarding recruitment statement

Gretton School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people, and expects all staff to share this commitment, applicants must be willing to undergo child protection screening, including checks with employers and the Disclosure & Barring Service.

We aim to be a fair employer and are committed to equal opportunities. Gretton School does not discriminate against employees on the basis of gender, ethnic origin, disability or age.