Outdoor Education Assistant Instructor

We're on a mission to give our colleagues a better work/life balance

Job title:         Outdoor Education Assistant Instructor

Location:        Smallbrook School, Shrewsbury, Shropshire

Salary:            £21,000 - £23,500 per annum depending upon experience

Hours:            37.5 hours per week; Monday to Friday 9:00 to 16:30

Contact:         Permanent; Term Time Only

As part of our continued growth, we have a fantastic opportunity for an enthusiastic person to join our Outdoor Education team at Smallbrook School. If you are looking to join a dedicated team in a school that will welcome your ideas to help re-engage our young people, we would like to hear from you.

About us

Smallbrook School is currently increasing capacity from 50 students to 80 and having a large investment in our school site developing KS2 and sixth form provision. We are a co-educational day school catering for pupils aged 7-18 with a range of complex needs including a range of social, emotional and mental health needs and also pupils who have been diagnosed with autism or demonstrate behaviours associated with autism.

You will contribute to making Smallbrook School an outstanding provision for our young people and their families. We provide a therapeutic, supportive and inclusive learning environment and are committed to raising achievement and enabling pupils to recognise their potential and supporting them through a personalised, engaging curriculum. Our priority is to develop the foundation knowledge and skills required to make a manageable and smooth transition to the next life stage.

Our School is based halfway between Shrewsbury and Wem in Shropshire.

Acorn Education & Care is the UK’s leading independent provider of specialist education and residential care for vulnerable children and young people. As part of Outcomes First Group, we are leading our sector in setting and delivering new approaches that provide measurable outcomes for those in our care.

About the role

We require a person who has a passion for the outdoors and the ability to make a significant contribution to our school. The successful candidate will be an innovative, reflective practitioner who can demonstrate the willingness to adapt and learn.

We are looking for an individual with high expectations and standards who can offer excellent behavioural management skills. An additional strength would be a creative, engaging approach to activity design and planning in the wider outdoor learning environment.

This role starts at our school each morning where you will be responsible for transporting students to the planned venues to take part in Outdoor Educational Activities for the day, assist in the delivery of the activities and then return the students back to school.

Qualifications Required: Full Driving License

Who are we looking for?

The successful candidate will ideally have experience of working with young people with a range of complex learning needs. You will be able to demonstrate a working understanding of how these needs impact upon learning and behaviour during activities.

You may have specialist knowledge and experience of working with autistic spectrum condition or children with social, emotional and mental health difficulties. Or you may have experience of working across both specialisms.

Applications are invited from anyone who is passionate about improving the lives of young people. The ability to contribute to the development of our school is essential and we believe that energy, passion and a commitment to high standards are key characteristics required. We are looking for a special individual who is able to help inspire and engage the young people that we serve. This is an opportunity for the successful candidate to develop their skills and experience in a challenging, motivating and highly rewarding environment.

Previous experience of working in a SEN environment would be desirable, excellent support skills and the right motivation, personal qualities and levels of resilience are also just as important.

This position is due to commence in as soon as possible (subject to approved reference/DBS checks).

Why join Acorn Education & Care? 

Benefits

Your health and wellbeing are important to us, so you’ll get an exceptional reward package including:

• Life Assurance
• Pension scheme with options to increase your contributions
• “Your Wellbeing Matters” – access to a wide range of first-class mental health support services and physical health checks

And a market-leading benefit offering through our Flexible Benefits Platform, Vista, enables you to choose the package that’s right for you, including:

• A wide range of health, wellbeing, and insurance benefits
• 100’s of discount options valid in the UK and abroad
• Cycle to Work Schemes
• Electric Car Purchase Scheme
• Critical illness cover

And that’s not all, we place the outcomes of the children and vulnerable young adults in our services at the heart of everything we do, so you’ll wake every day in the knowledge that your role will have a significant positive impact on the lives of others.

We are committed to the safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. All successful applicants will be subject to a fully enhanced DBS.