Forest School Lead

Job Title: Forest School Leader

Salary Grade: Grade 7 scp 18-23 FTE £31,537 - £34,434

Actual Salary: Actual annual salary is currently £18,530 to £20,232

Working Pattern:

24 hours per week, term time only - Tuesday to Friday - 9am to 3.30pm

Contract: Permanent

Start Date: September 2026

Please note that the employer for this position is the Epworth EducationTrust not Bury Council.

We are seeking to appoint a committed, caring and dedicated Forest School Leader. The successful candidate is expected to plan, prepare and deliver purposeful and productive activities for children. Be prepared to innovate and devise imaginatively varied ways of teaching the forest school experience to children. Encourage children and show enthusiasm for their subject indoors and outside and in the forest school sessions. Select and use a range of different resources and teaching styles, appropriate to the forest school experience. Promote positive management of behaviour in the Forest School environment, establish routines and boundaries to ensure the safety and good behaviour of the children.

You will:

Be responsible for, planning and overseeing the day to day delivery, organisation and smooth running of Forest Schools programmes.

To evaluate programmes and to continually strive for improvement.

To promote learning in the outdoor environment and the ethos of Forest Schools and outdoor learning.

To be responsible at all times for high standards of care and education of all group members in accordance with the Forest Schools Association principles. and criteria for good practice.

To ensure effective communication with teachers, support staff, head teachers, governors, parents, volunteers, partner organisations and of course, children.

To manage support staff and volunteers effectively, ensuring they embrace the ethos of forest schools.

To ensure the health and safety of all participants, including writing and checking risk assessments for the sites, tools and activities used.

To regularly check and maintain tools and other equipment.

To keep records as appropriate of emergency contact details for participants, permission forms and achievement of pupils.

To adhere to all relevant policies and procedures of the individual schools and settings.

To engage in continuous professional development.

To carry out all other such duties as may from time to time be determined by the line manager

In return our Trust and its school offers you:

Supportive parents and a welcoming local community

A strong and supportive leadership team with a clear sense of strategic vision

A supportive and highly committed staff with high expectations, who are willing to help each other

Well resourced, safe and stimulating learning environments

Strong working partnerships within the Trust

Pupils with positive attitudes to learning, who are hardworking, caring and proud to attend their school

The opportunity to make a difference

An enthusiastic and supportive Governing Body

The support of a strong and skilled Trust Central Team

Generous holiday allowance

Pension scheme

A comprehensive wellbeing support package which includes an annual Wellbeing Day

Tech and Cycle salary sacrifice schemes as well as other discount schemes

Access to Employment Assistance Programme

Access to training opportunities and professional development

All applications are to be made via My New Term apply here

Closing date: 31/8/2026 - noon

short listing: week commencing 31/8/26

Interviews: To be confirmed

The main base for the role will be Wesley Methodist Primary School.

Please note, the employer for this position is Epworth Education Trust, not Bury LA

This post involves working with children, young people or vulnerable adults and is therefore exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act.

This post is subject to Enhanced Disclosure Procedures. Epworth Education Trust are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children.

At the Epworth Education Trust we recognise our moral and statutory responsibility to safeguard and promote the welfare of all children. We work to provide a safe and welcoming environment where children are respected and valued. We are alert to the signs of abuse and neglect and follow our procedures to ensure that children receive effective support, protection and justice. The procedures contained in our Safeguarding Policy apply to all staff, volunteers and governors. Our child protection policy can be read here (wesleymethodistprimary.co.uk)

We encourage applications from the right candidates regardless of age, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, belief or race.