How would you like to get paid for five days, but only work four?

At Outcomes First Group, we believe in better work/life balance — and we’re putting wellbeing first.

That’s why we’re proud to be part of a 4-Day Working Week (4DWW) trial, where you can work one day less each week (or equivalent hours), while still receiving your full-time pay.

Our school will adopt the 4DWW once we have a full team in place — and with the rollout already underway across the wider Group, now is the perfect time to 

join #teamOFG.

Job Title: Outdoor & Forest School Instructor

Location: The Holden School, Leigh WN7 4SB

Salary: Up to £27,000.00 per annum depending on experience (not pro rata)

Hours: 37.5 hours per week | Monday to Friday | 08:30 - 16:00 (Tuesday until 16:30)

Contract: Permanent, Term Time Only

Start date: November 2025

UK applicants only. This role does not offer sponsorship.

As part of our continued growth, we are thrilled to offer a fantastic opportunity for an Outdoor & Forest School Instructor to join our close-knit and passionate team at The Holden School, part of Acorn Education.

About the Role

Are you passionate about the outdoors and the power of nature to transform lives? Do you believe in helping children and young people develop confidence, resilience, and a lifelong love of learning through hands-on, outdoor experiences?

Join The Holden School as an Outdoor & Forest School Instructor and become a vital part of a forward-thinking, nurturing environment where emotional development and experiential learning are at the heart of everything we do.

We’re looking for someone who can bring energy, imagination, and compassion to this unique role, working with children and young people with social, emotional, and mental health (SEMH) needs, including those with autism, ADHD, and other learning differences.

In this highly rewarding position, you will:

Design and deliver a broad range of outdoor learning activities in line with Forest School principles and tailored to meet the individual needs of our pupils

Encourage curiosity, teamwork, problem-solving, and self-directed learning through structured and unstructured outdoor experiences

Create a safe, inclusive, and stimulating outdoor environment where pupils can thrive emotionally, socially, and physically

Support children in developing resilience, self-regulation, and confidence through nature-based activities

Establish clear boundaries and routines to promote positive behaviour and emotional safety in outdoor sessions

Collaborate with the Outdoor Learning Lead, teaching staff, and pastoral teams to integrate outdoor learning into the broader curriculum

Assist with the planning, delivery, observation, and assessment of pupil progress

Supervise pupils during outdoor free time and provide support during lunchtimes as needed

This role is ideal for someone with Forest School training, outdoor education experience, or a strong interest in working creatively with children in natural environments.

Who we are looking for:

We’re looking for someone with a love for the outdoors, a practical skillset, and the emotional intelligence to support young people with complex needs.

Essential:

Experience delivering or assisting with outdoor learning or Forest School sessions

A commitment to the ethos of Forest School and experiential, nature-based education

Excellent communication and interpersonal skills

Understanding of SEMH, autism, and/or special educational needs

Ability to remain calm, positive, and proactive in dynamic or challenging situations

Strong behaviour management and the ability to set and maintain clear boundaries

A flexible, team-focused approach and a willingness to adapt

Desirable:

Experience working in special education or with children with behavioural needs

Skills in bushcraft, gardening, outdoor cooking, wildlife, conservation, or similar

About Us

The Holden School is an independent specialist day school for boys and girls aged from 5 to 16, catering for pupils with a wide range of needs in Lancashire, Manchester and surrounding areas. Our dedicated team work together to ensure successful outcomes for pupils who often arrive at the school with a troubled view of education and life. We are a Therapeutic Led, Trauma Informed School providing individualised curriculums for our students supported by our Class Teams, our Pastoral Team and our own Therapists.

We pride ourselves in steering pupils in the right direction, nurturing aspiration to progress them academically and socially, to encourage them to take pride in their achievements. Socially, we build confidence in our students, so they are able to have a greater understanding of the wider community in which they live.

Acorn Education is the UK’s leading independent provider of specialist education. 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.

We are really proud to say that in 2024, Outcomes First Group were officially certified as a ‘Great Place to Work’ for the fifth year running.

Why join Acorn Education?

We place the outcomes of the pupils 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 safeguarding and promoting the welfare of pupils and young people. All applicants will be subject to social media checks and successful applicants to a fully enhanced DBS.

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

Family Growth Support - inclusive benefits package covering enhanced maternity and paternity leave, along with paid fertility treatment support.

We reserve the right to close the vacancy early if we receive a high volume of suitable applications.

*You’ll work 80% of your contractual hours for 100% of your pay, giving you more time to do the things that make you happy. 4DWW is subject to successful completion of probation and is not a contractual benefit

Outcomes First Group is committed to carrying out a fair, thorough and efficient recruitment process in line with Keeping Children Safe in Education. Whilst we aim to keep applicants informed throughout, Outcomes First Group does not accept liability for any loss of earnings or other associated costs incurred by applicants as a result of delays or changes in the compliance process. All stages of the compliance process are subject to necessary safeguarding checks and compliance with statutory requirements, which may affect timescales.

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