Forest School Leader for Lower School - Full-time

Hope View School, Canterbury

Ref:KCC886-6123-135T
Posted:21/03/2024
Pay:£25,000 - £28,000 per annum
Start Date:15th April or 1st September 2024
App Close Date:30/04/2024 at 16:00
Interviews:TBC

Advert

Hope View School are seeking to appoint an enthusiastic and committed individual, who is keen to work with children with Special Education Needs to deliver and develop our Outdoor Education Programme from April or September 2024. The post is based at our Lower School site in Chartham and involves working with pupils aged 7-13. Own transport is essential as the site is in a rural location with no public transport links. The post would suit a hardworking, reliable, well-organised individual who is able to commit to a rewarding full day of work, starting at 7.50am.

This is a fantastic opportunity to join our supportive, well established staff team. Included are a Company Pension Scheme, competitive annual salary (salaried not pro-rata), staff rewards schemes, access to CPD and uniform, as well as paid holidays (up to 16 weeks per year).

The successful applicant should have experience of delivering an outdoor based programme, Forest School or similar. The confidence to take pupils off site, with a supporting member of staff, to explore the surrounding countryside and ability to effectively manage low level challenging behaviours is essential as is the provision of engaging and inspiring activities through which our pupils can learn.

The successful applicant would be required to develop and deliver our existing Forest School programme, with support from our Upper School Forest School Leader. They would also be required to obtain their PSV licence in order to be able to transport pupils in our school minibuses, the cost of this would be met by the school.

Experience of working with pupils with Special Educational Needs would be an advantage but is not essential. Willingness to work within a small team and an organised but flexible approach is crucial. High standards of behaviour management, professionalism and expectations of pupils are also required as is the ability to be empathetic, understanding and supportive of pupils and their needs.

Safeguarding

An understanding of the importance of the need for safeguarding the health and well-being of all pupils within the school. Upholding the school’s policies and procedures with regard to child protection and safeguarding is an essential requirement.

The post requires applicants to fully complete an application form, CVs alone will not be accepted. Safeguarding checks including self-disclosure declaration, online checks and references will be carried out for all candidates short-listed for interview. A DBS check will be required for the successful applicant.

Salary Range: £25,000 - £28,000 per annum.

Please see the attached post details for more information.

Information about the school

Hope View School is an Independent Special School for boys with special educational needs including social, emotional and mental health difficulties, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Autistic Spectrum Disorders (ASD) or Asperger’s Syndrome, speech, language and communication needs and moderate learning difficulties. Our Lower School is just outside Chartham and our Upper School site is in Chilham. Both sites are within close proximity to Canterbury, Ashford, Maidstone, Thanet and the Medway towns (Kent). The school is equipped to accommodate a total of 130 pupils aged between 7 and 18 years old across both sites. All pupils who attend the school have an Education and Health Care Plan. Our main aims are: To ensure, as far as possible, that each pupil placed at Hope View is given every opportunity to learn, be supported and be listened to. To support pupils in the development of their Literacy and Numeracy skills by increasing reading, spelling and numerate ability ages. To ensure pupils are well equipped by the time they leave Hope View to deal with working life, college, apprenticeships and are able to make a positive contribution to society. At Hope View we have high expectations of all of our pupils as well as firm boundaries. Pupils are expected to attend all lessons, be respectful and courteous to each other and staff. They are expected to communicate with us if they have an issue or are encountering difficulties. The ethos of Hope View is Firm, Fair, Friendly and Fun! All pupils have a voice and we insist that they are listened to, advised and supported by staff and pupils alike. Home/school contact is imperative to the successful development of all of our pupils. For this reason, we insist on maintaining close contact by telephone, email or face to face with parents, carers, and professionals involved in the personal development and the welfare of a pupil. Our door is always open to visitors with or without an appointment. We encourage visitors to experience for themselves the calm atmosphere and pleasant learning environment of Hope View. Our pupils are very proud of their school and welcome the opportunity to show it off to visitors whenever they can. Hope View School is a member of the National Association of Special Schools. The school follows the National Curriculum tailored to meet the needs of our pupils. Emphasis is placed on improving pupils’ reading, spelling and numeracy skills. All pupils are assessed in these areas upon entry to the school.

Job Contact Information

Name:Mrs Carla Lorne
Address:Station Approach, Chilham, Canterbury , Kent, CT4 8EG
Telephone: 01227 7380000
Email: hopeviewschool@btconnect.com

Documents

Below are documents that have been added to this vacancy.