Role: Outdoor Education Lead
Location: Taunton
Start: September 2025
Contract: Full time, permanent
Salary: £23,000 - £24,000 per annum (actual)
Are you a passionate outdoor education professional ready to make a difference in the lives of young people with additional needs? We are delighted to partner with a highly nurturing and forward thinking independent special school in Somerset, near Taunton, to recruit an inspiring Outdoor Education Lead.
This is a fantastic opportunity to join a warm and welcoming school community where staff are deeply committed to helping pupils thrive emotionally, socially and academically. The environment is described as one where pupils “flourish”, with strong, positive relationships at the heart of everything they do (Ofsted).
About The Role:
As the Outdoor Education Lead, you’ll design and lead dynamic, hands-on learning experiences that take education beyond the classroom. You’ll be instrumental in helping students aged 10 - 18 build confidence, resilience and a sense of achievement through outdoor learning, while supporting their individual EHCP outcomes.
Working closely with the pastoral and Forest School teams, you’ll play a key role in shaping an inclusive and therapeutic curriculum. In the summer term you’ll also have the exciting opportunity to implement a Beach School programme, offering unique learning in a coastal setting.
Key Responsibilities:
- Lead and deliver a broad range of outdoor learning programmes tailored to the needs of students with autism and other additional needs
- Plan and coordinate activities that promote personal growth - think nature hikes, bushcraft, environmental students and team challenges
- Deliver and manage the Duke of Edinburgh programme
- Promote emotional wellbeing and teamwork through outdoor exploration and safe risk-taking
- Work collaboratively with teachers, therapists and the SENDCO to integrate outdoor learning with students’ personalised plans
- Ensure all safety, supervision and safeguarding procedures are followed rigorously
- Maintain and oversee equipment and plan logistics, including permissions, risk assessments and transport
Requirements:
Education & Experience:
- Degree in Outdoor or Physical Education (desirable) or equivalent experience in outdoor education (essential)
- Experience working with children or young people with SEND
- Background in delivering outdoor learning in either education or youth work setting
Skills & Certifications:
- Strong communication, leadership and adaptability
- First aid certification
- Additional qualifications such as bushcraft, kayaking, paddleboarding or mountain biking (desirable)
Why Apply?
- Be part of a truly supportive and specialist environment
- Work with a small, dedicated team passionate about inclusive education
- Help shape a unique curriculum that empowers young people to thrive
- Located in beautiful Somerset countryside, with access to forest and coastal learning
Ready to take learning outdoors and change lives in the process? Apply today to speak with one of our specialist consultants about this inspiring opportunity. We look forward to helping you find your next rewarding role!
Working with Long-term Teachers:
We are an independent agency working with Nurseries, Primary, Secondary and Special Schools.
LTT was founded with the aim of creating a genuine, transparent and straightforward service to help candidates secure their next role. We place a huge emphasis on delivering an exceptional service where you will be supported, listened to and valued throughout.
Your dedicated consultant will invest time to understand your experience, skill-set and what your ideal role looks like. You will have frequent updates with your progress through compliance, applications for specific roles as well as receiving additional information on roles which we feel may be of interest to you.
We are proud members of the REC and we have the highest standard of compliance. Working with us means you will get the very best support and guidance through the clearance process from your own specific point of contact from our in-house compliance team.
In addition you will receive:
- Guarantee Pay Scheme opportunities
- Permanent job roles
- Support and advice during the clearance and onboarding process
- Working to Agency Workers Regulations
- Interview preparation, advice and support
- Statutory employment rights, such as; sick pay, holiday pay, maternity and paternity pay