Name of Organisation: Holiday School Academy
Job title: Forest School Leader & Forest School Assistant (holiday provision only starting summer 2019). Monday 22nd July to Friday 16th August (not including recce and risk assessment). 20 days required in total. Monday to Friday. 0830 to 1600.
Closing date for applications: Friday 20th September 2019
Salary: £20/hr Forest School Leader and £15/hr Forest School Assistant.
Location: Drop off and pick up, Holiday Academy, based at Almorah Community Centre, 58 Almorah Road, London, N1 3EU. Forest School activities in local parks, including Shoreditch Park, N1.
Dates Include:
- Summer 2019 – 22 July to Friday 16 August 2019
- Autumn Half Term – 21 to 25 October 2019
- Spring Half Term – 17 to 21 February 2020
- Summer Half Term – 25 May to 29 May 2020
- Summer 2020 – 13 July to 21 August 2020
Monday to Friday from 08:30 to 16:00
Explain how applicants should contact you / apply: Email ruth@holidayacademy.co.uk with a short cover statement and CV.
Job description: Forest School at Holiday Academy is an inspirational alternative learning experience which takes place on a regular basis outdoors in natural settings and across all seasons for ages 6+ and for 3-6s. Through a carefully planned programme of achievable tasks, play and activities including den/shelter building, fire lighting, outdoor cooking, team games, woodwork, tool use, and nature-based craft, each participant has an opportunity to learn about and connect to the natural environment, problem solve, and enjoy being part of a team.
There is nothing quite like this provided locally, and we want to open up Forest School to children living at the heart of urban areas. We ensure children have a great experience; Making the best use of local amazing green and natural spaces.
Person specification:
- The Forest School Leader will take full responsibility for planning and delivering the sessions each day and will be responsible for a group of children (up to 10 children, between the ages 4 and 6).
- The Forest School Assistant will assist the Leader (see the points, starred, in the “Role and duties” and “Person specification” sections below)
- This is an exciting opportunity to lead and shape this new holiday forest school and to make it truly accessible to local children.
Role and duties:
- Ensure safeguarding and health and safety policies and procedures are adhered to and applied at all times.*
- Ensure the children in our care receive appropriate care, kindness, and supervision at all times.*
- Through sensitive and careful interactions (talking, listening, teaching, observing) support the children in setting and achieving their own aims, and extend and challenge their understanding and knowledge in all areas of learning.*
- Demonstrate high expectations of the children in all aspects of their development, from self-care to communication and language.*
- Form caring and appropriate relationships with the children in your care.*
- Form positive relationships with the parents of our children.*
- Ensure that all children are offered equal opportunities.*
- Undertaking joint recce and risk assessments of Forest School sites with Holiday Academy (HA). In the week beginning 8th July 2019.
- Meticulously plan and review (with HA), sessions and activities, to be delivered, one week in advance.
- Registering children dropped off and picked up using Holiday Academy protocols and adhering to Holiday Academy policies.*
- Setting up the camp and session and pack away afterwards.*
- Undertaking all the practical aspects of looking after 4–6-year-olds and ensure their wellbeing; E.g. helping them change, ensuring hands are washed, helping them at lunchtime, making sure they are warm enough, wiping noses etc.*
- Regularly communicating with parents and carers, giving them daily feedback about their child’s day.*
- Contribute to weekly news sent out by Holiday Academy.
- Carry out all duties and planned activities to a high standard every time, within the agreed hours.*
- Communicating well with community centre lead to make sure good working relationship made.
Person specification:
At Holiday Academy, we look first for the right kind of committed, passionate person, who believes in the Forest School ethos. You must be:
- An advocate and mad about outdoor learning and play.*
- Enjoy being outdoors all day, all year round, in any weather.*
- Love and have a track record in working with young children and be passionate about their emotional and physical wellbeing.*
- Understand the importance of keeping children safe and of helping create a safe environment through good safeguarding practices.*
- Highly organised, reliable and able to work independently; following HA policies and carry out duties and planned activities to a high standard every time.
- Skilled at creating great sessions and activities for the children through the day.
- Proactive and assumes responsibility.
- Skilled and genuine at listening and talking with young children in a way that engages and values them, and promotes and extends their learning.*
- Happy to promote the ethos of Holiday Academy through your day – with children, parents, other staff, and people we meet etc.*
- Can be positive, enthusiastic and professional every day at work.*
Required skills and experience:
You must have:
- Worked with young children in a learning environment.*
- A Forest School level 3 qualification and a min. of 3 years’ experience.
- An understanding of the benefits of outdoor play and education for early years’ children.*
- Two references, within a Forest School or Early Years Learning setting in the past 3 years.*
- A relevant DBS Certificate.*
Any other information: Working Hours:
- Two week periods considered. Monday 22nd July 2019 to Friday 2nd August 2019 or Monday 5th August 2019 to Friday 16th August 2019. Full holiday provision period preferred.
- Plus relevant preparation time to deliver quality sessions.
