Forest School Leader (Permanent)
Application Process
Applications should be submitted via the recruitment platform on The Cornovii Trust - Vacancies Portal by Thursday 21st May 2026 (12:00pm).
Statements in support of your application may be written as part of the application form or submitted separately and must not exceed two sides of A4.
In your statement, please address the following:
- Your experience of planning and delivering safe outdoor activities, including carrying out risk assessments and supervising the safe use of tools and fire where appropriate.
- Any relevant qualifications, training or professional experience that prepare you for this role.
Please ensure that all grades are entered onto the platform for each qualification listed.
Prospective candidates are encouraged to visit the school website to gain a sense of life at Alsager School: www.alsagerschool.org
The Interview
Interviews dates are to be confirmed.
Forest School Leader (Permanent) at Alsager School
37 hours per week / 39 weeks per year
Grade 6 (actual salary - £24,675 per annum)
The Role
The governors, staff and students of Alsager School are seeking to appoint a qualified (Level 3) and enthusiastic Forest School Leader to join our team.
Forest School is a child-centred approach to learning that takes place in a natural outdoor environment and supports the development of confidence, independence, resilience and a connection with nature. The successful candidate will plan and lead regular Forest School sessions, encouraging exploration, play and supported risk-taking through activities such as den building, nature crafts, tool use, fire lighting, storytelling and environmental discovery. Sessions should support pupils’ personal, social and emotional development while fostering curiosity and respect for the natural world.
Key responsibilities will include planning and delivering safe and inclusive sessions, maintaining the outdoor learning area and equipment, carrying out risk assessments, and ensuring health and safety procedures are followed at all times. The Forest School Leader will also work closely with school staff to ensure activities complement the wider curriculum and meet the needs of pupils.
About Alsager School
Alsager School is a high-achieving, inclusive 11–18 mixed comprehensive, with 1,500 students on roll, including 220 students in the Sixth Form. As the only secondary school in the town, we serve a broad catchment area across Alsager and neighbouring parts of Cheshire and Staffordshire.
We are proud of our school community. Our students are friendly, respectful and ambitious, with positive attitudes to learning and strong relationships with staff. Visitors regularly comment on the calm, purposeful atmosphere around the school and the pride students take in their work.
The school benefits from:
- A committed and experienced staff body.
- Strong relationships with students, families and the local community.
- A supportive trust that values collaboration, leadership development and evidence-informed practice.
- Ongoing support from experienced colleagues within school and the wider trust, including access to high-quality training and leadership development.
- A community cover scheme that supports staff wellbeing.
Key Responsibilities
- Plan, prepare, and lead a range of Forest School sessions for pupils using a child-centred, outdoor learning approach.
- To work alongside the SEND team to monitor student progress.
- Liaise with parents, teachers and support staff, prior to sessions, to ensure activities meet pupils needs and complement the wider curriculum.
- Carry out and review risk assessments, ensuring all sessions comply with Health & Safety requirements, including the safe use of tools and fire.
- Supervise and support children with varying abilities and additional needs, fostering confidence, independence and resilience.
- Create and maintain an engaging, supportive, and safe outdoor environment, adapting activities flexibly in response to pupils changing needs.
- Maintain Forest School equipment and outdoor learning areas to ensure resources are safe and well-prepared for sessions.
- Administer basic first aid as required.
- Comply with all school policies and procedures, including safeguarding and confidentiality requirements.
- Participate in training, meetings, and professional development activities as required.
- Undertake additional duties reasonably requested by the Senior Leadership Team.
- To develop knowledge of the range of learning support techniques and understand the specific needs of the children to be supported.
- To enable students to learn as effectively as possible both in group situations and on his/ her own by clarifying and explaining instructions; ensuring the student can use equipment and materials provided.
- Support social, emotional and personal development. Promoting a positive, inclusive and respectful learning environment.
- To provide training to other staff who support the students with FS.
- Produce a programme of events for SPIRIT week.
- To monitor supervisor ratios
- Maintain a Forest school handbook which includes all relevant polices, procedures and risk assessments and plans.
Application Process
Applications should be submitted via the recruitment platform on The Cornovii Trust - Vacancies Portal by Thursday 21st May 2026 (12:00pm).
Statements in support of your application may be written as part of the application form or submitted separately and must not exceed two sides of A4.
In your statement, please address the following:
- Your experience of planning and delivering safe outdoor activities, including carrying out risk assessments and supervising the safe use of tools and fire where appropriate.
- Any relevant qualifications, training or professional experience that prepare you for this role.
Please ensure that all grades are entered onto the platform for each qualification listed.
Prospective candidates are encouraged to visit the school website to gain a sense of life at Alsager School: www.alsagerschool.org
The Interview
Interviews dates are to be confirmed.
Personal Specification: Forest School Leader
Criteria
Essential
Desirable
Qualifications
· Forest School Level 3 qualification.
· First Aid qualification (outdoor)
· Additional educational qualifications.
· GCSE qualifications in English and Mathematics
Experience & knowledge
· Working with children at different stages of development.
· Experience carrying out risk assessments and maintaining safe outdoor learning environments.
· Knowledge of safe tool use and fire management within Forest School practice.
· Strong understanding of health and safety regulations relevant to outdoor learning
· Experience of working with young people, ideally in an or outdoor or education setting.
· Previous experience in the education field.
· Experience supporting students with SENDin an outdoor/educational setting.
· Understanding of maintaining accurate records and reporting on student development.
· Experience of leading Forest School /outdoor education sessions.
· Food Hygiene Certificate
Skills and Abilities
· Excellent verbal, communication and interpersonal skills.
· Ability to adapt one’s approach or style to meet the needs of young people.
· Able to work effectively on own initiative.
· Understanding of child protection and safeguarding.
- Have the ability to think creatively and to be able to anticipate and solve problems.
Personal Qualities
· Commitment to supporting the physical, emotional and social development of children
· Punctual and organised.
· A flexible and proactive work ethic.
· Calm and confident
· Willingness to contribute further to the school community.
· Willingness to engage in ongoing training and professional development.
Employees will be expected to comply with any reasonable request from a manager to undertake work of a similar level that is not specified in this job description. Employees are expected to be courteous to colleagues and provide a welcoming environment for visitors and telephone callers.
The school will endeavour to make any necessary reasonable adjustments to the job and the working environment to enable access to employment opportunities for disabled job applicants or continued employment for any employee who develops a disabling condition (as defined in the Equality Act 2010).
This job description will be reviewed where necessary and may be subject to amendment or modification at any time after consultation with the post holder. It is not a comprehensive statement of procedures and tasks; it sets out the expectations of the school in relation to the post holder’s professional responsibilities and duties.
Rewards and Benefits
Our people are at the heart of our success. We recognise that every school and every individual is of equal importance, we respect and have tolerance of all, and we ensure that everyone feels known, appreciated and valued.
We have developed a strong culture of collaboration and best practice, investing in our staff with support, coaching, mentoring and a wide range of top-quality training programs at every level.
You will have opportunities to learn from colleagues who are highly experienced, knowledgeable, and committed education practitioners to support your development and career with the trust.
You will have the autonomy to evolve your school’s vision, values, performance and culture, but you will never be alone, you will have continuous support from the wider trust.
You will also have full access to our rewards package:
Learning and development
We offer a wide range of training and development opportunities including structured qualifications, and you will be able to access support, coaching and mentoring by senior members of staff from across the trust.
Competitive pension scheme
Teaching and School leadership staff are part of the Teachers' Pension Scheme (TPS). You receive a guaranteed pension through the Teachers’ Pension Scheme. This is a defined benefit scheme, via career average arrangement; benefits are accrued each year.
Employee Assistance Programme
We have partnered with Legal and General to offer free and confidential to advice to our staff. This is available 24 hours, 7 days per week for you and your immediate family. Some of the services include support with family, financial information, legal advice, stress and anxiety, and bereavement. You will also have access to ‘in the moment’ counselling sessions.
Flexible working
We offer various flexible working arrangements, and all staff are encouraged to submit applications for flexible working to suit their individual circumstances.
Discounts on shopping, leisure, and travel
Through our Legal and General EAP our staff have access to a wide range of offers and discounts on high street and supermarket shopping, leisure facilities such as cinema and gym, and travel options such as holidays and hotel stays.
Gym - Access to Alsager Everybody Health and Leisure.
Flu vaccinations - All staff have the option to access their annual flu vaccination via a local pharmacy.
Salary range
- £24,675 per year