Head of Forest School

Prince's Mead is a happy and thriving co-educational IAPS day preparatory school in Hampshire, with over 290 children on roll.

Set on a beautiful site near the City of Winchester, the school is housed in an impressive Grade II listed Georgian manor house with spectacular views over the Itchen Valley.

We are seeking to recruit a Head of Forest School to work across the whole school, from Nursery to Year 6. This is a part-time, term-time only position, starting in September 2024 or January 2025.

Forest School is an integral part of our curriculum and important to our School Vision. All teachers are encouraged to take their learning outside of the classroom. The successful applicant will teach a bespoke curriculum which links to other curriculum subjects utilising our fantastic grounds and woodlands.   

The role would suit someone who is passionate about learning outdoors and the environment. They will need to be innovative, caring, dynamic with initiative and have a genuine passion for school life. They will have excellent communication skills and offer a full commitment to this busy, successful school, which values its caring family atmosphere. The successful applicant will be a qualified teacher with a passion and qualifications for outdoor learning and Forest School, in particular. 

The successful candidate will work with staff across the school to promote the highest standards of teaching, learning and pastoral care in our woodlands and other areas. 

Please see the attached job description, in our information pack, for further details.

At Prince’s Mead, we believe in educating the whole child in order for them to become well-rounded, happy and fulfilled individuals with excellent academic results. Everything we do is informed by our firm belief that learning should be challenging, enriching and fun. We see education as a transformational process that guides pupils towards academic achievement, independence, collaboration, leadership and a readiness to take the next exciting step to senior school and beyond. 

As an equal opportunities employer, Prince’s Mead is committed to the equal treatment of all current and prospective employees and does not condone discrimination on the basis of age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity, race or ethnicity, religion or belief, gender identity, or marriage and civil partnership. 

We aspire to have a diverse and inclusive workplace and strongly encourage suitably qualified applicants from a wide range of backgrounds to apply and join Prince’s Mead. 

Prince’s Mead puts at the centre of its operation the safeguarding of the pupils of the school. There is a commitment to keep safeguarding at the forefront of every employee and volunteer’s mind. We encourage a culture of challenge, not just to act when there is a need, but also in the way we think, to ensure the risks of harm to the pupils’ individual welfare are minimised. 

This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. Job applicants will undergo appropriate child protection screening and pre-employment checks will be carried out; references will be sought and successful candidates will be subject to an enhanced DBS check and other relevant checks with statutory bodies. 

Successful applicants must complete mandatory pre-employment training in safeguarding and other key areas before the commencement of employment. 

We comply with the Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) code of practice and have a written policy on the recruitment of ex-offenders, both of which are available on request. If shortlisted, you are required to declare any relevant convictions, adult cautions or other matters which may affect your suitability to work with children. As a result of amendments to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (exceptions order 1975) in 2013 and 2020, some minor offences are now protected (filtered) and should not be disclosed to potential employers, and employers cannot take these offences into account. 

Please send applications to recruitment@princesmeadschool.org.uk