Education Lead

Do you want to teach in small groups where you can make a real difference to individual lives?

Do you want to teach without the pressures that come from mainstream schools?

Do you want to be in a school where work-life balance isn’t just talked about, it’s a reality?

Pupils blossom at this caring and happy school. Staff nurture pupils well, and pupils feel valued and safe. There are positive relationships between staff and pupils. Pupils learn to value their education because staff help them experience success. (HMI March 2022)

Cambian Somerset School is an independent secondary day special school supporting young people with autism located in Somerset, very close to Taunton. We provide specialist education for up to 40 students aged between 10-18 years of age.

Position Overview

An Outdoor Education Lead at Somerset School is responsible for designing, implementing, facilitating, and overseeing outdoor learning experiences that support students with diverse needs. The role emphasizes hands-on, experiential learning tailored to enhance students' physical, social, emotional, and academic development in an inclusive and supportive environment. The Outdoor Education Lead will be linked with the Pastoral and Forest School teams to develop a Beach School curriculum in the summer term to enrich learners' experiences and offer opportunities in a new environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and lead outdoor education programs aligned with the school’s curriculum and learners' EHCPs.
• Design activities that promote teamwork, resilience, and problem-solving skills, such as nature hikes, team challenges, or environmental studies.
• Plan and lead on Duke of Edinburgh.
• Foster a positive and inclusive atmosphere where all students feel supported, encouraged to participate, and can safely take risks.
• Provide guidance and instruction on outdoor safety, including navigation, first aid, and environmental responsibility.
• Work closely with the SENDCo to understand and address individual student needs.
• Ensure the safety and wellbeing of all students during activities, providing necessary supervision and support.
• Collaborate with teachers, therapists, and other staff to integrate outdoor education into broader educational goals.
• Maintain outdoor education equipment, ensuring it is safe and suitable for use.
• Plan and organize logistics for activities, including transportation, materials, and permissions.

Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Outdoor Education or Physical Education (Desirable)
• Equivalent experience in an outdoor setting (Essential)

Certifications:

• First Aid certification (Essential)
• Additional certifications such as kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding, bushcraft, mountain biking, etc. (Desirable)

Experience:

• Working with children with special needs
• Working in an outdoor or educational setting.

Skills: Strong interpersonal and communication skills, creativity in lesson planning, and the ability to adapt to diverse student needs.

We pride ourselves on being an Equal Opportunities Employer and we are committed to safeguarding and protecting the young people and service users within our care. All candidates will be subject to an Enhanced DBS check and reference checks.

Cambian will conduct online searches of shortlisted candidates. This check will be part of a safeguarding check, and the search will purely be based on whether an individual is suitable to work with children. Care must be taken to avoid unconscious bias and any risk of discrimination; a person who will not be on the appointment panel will conduct the search and will only share information if and when findings are relevant and of concern.