FOREST SCHOOL LEAD (Higher Level Teaching Assistant)

Contract Type: Permanent

Working Pattern: Full time - term time only

(Job Share or Part Time Working may be considered)

Salary: Grade G | SCP 19-23 + SSA (Pro rata to TTO) 

Location: Cedars Low Fell, NE9 6QD

Start date: Autumn Term 2026

Forest School Lead (Higher Level Teaching Assistant)

Cedars Low Fell, part of Cedars Academy Trust, are delighted to be recruiting a passionate and creative Forest School Lead (HLTA) to join our team. This is an exciting opportunity to lead and develop Forest School provision within a warm, nurturing and ambitious specialist school. You will help children and young people with complex SEND experience the outdoors in ways that are meaningful, motivating and responsive to their individual needs.

Job Summary

Working with pupils from EYFS through to Key Stage 4, you will plan and deliver engaging, sensory-rich learning experiences within our fantastic woodland environment. Through Forest School, you will support the development of communication, emotional regulation, confidence, independence and positive relationships, ensuring every learner can participate, achieve and thrive.

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This role would be ideally suited to someone with experience of working in SEND or EYFS who combines strong practical Forest School skills with empathy, imagination and a clear understanding of how children with complex needs learn.

You will be responsible for:

• Leading and developing a safe, inclusive and inspiring Forest School programme across the school;

• Working alongside a member of our extended leadership team to design a responsive curriculum that reflects pupils' developmental, communication and sensory needs;

• Planning and delivering creative outdoor learning opportunities that promote communication, emotional regulation, independence and personal development;

• Adapting activities, resources and the environment so that pupils with a wide range of physical, sensory, cognitive and emotional needs can participate meaningfully;

• Contributing high-quality evidence to pupils' Personal Learning Plans and Evidence for Learning portfolios;

• Using Total Communication approaches and assistive technology where appropriate, with training provided where needed;

• Working collaboratively with teachers, teaching assistants, therapists, families and external professionals to support each child's holistic progress;

• Mentoring and developing teaching assistants, modelling excellent practice;

• Supporting extracurricular clubs and contributing to wider cross-curricular outdoor learning across the school.

The successful candidate will:

• Hold HLTA status, or an equivalent recognised qualification;

• Hold a Level 3 Certificate in Forest School Leadership;

• Have practical experience of leading Forest School or comparable outdoor learning programmes;

• Hold an Outdoor First Aid certificate, or be willing to obtain this before appointment;

• Have Level 2 qualifications in English and mathematics, such as GCSE grade 4/C or above;

• Be an empathetic, relationship-centred practitioner with a good understanding of how children with complex SEND learn;

• Be confident in assessing risk and maintaining high standards of safeguarding, health and safety and environmental responsibility;

• Be organised, reflective and resilient, with the ability to respond calmly and creatively when plans need to change;

• Enjoy working collaboratively and contribute positively to a supportive, research-informed learning culture;

• Share our passion for inclusive education and our commitment to ensuring every child is seen, heard and celebrated.

Cedars is a warm and welcoming school community where staff are encouraged to bring their ideas, shape their own professional development and contribute to our shared journey of improvement. We value curiosity, reflection and a willingness to keep learning. No one is ever the finished article, and that is how we like it.

If you have the energy, empathy and creativity to make the outdoors accessible, exciting and meaningful for children who learn differently, we would love to hear from you.

For an informal discussion about the role, or to arrange a visit, please contact:

Joanne Carr, Deputy Headteacher - joanne.carr@cedarstrust.org.uk

OR

Gareth Kyle, Academy Business Manager - gareth.kyle@cedarstrust.org.uk

Please note that we reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive a high volume of applications. Early submission of applications is therefore encouraged.​
 

• Closing date: Friday 30th October 2026 at 12 noon

• Interviews: w/c 9th November 2026

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​Download Job Description

Download Application Form

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Please return your completed form to recruitment@cedarstrust.org.uk