Lead Tutor – Future Opportunities
At The Outdoors Group, we believe learning happens everywhere – especially outdoors!
The Outdoors School is an Independent Special School that combines learning with outdoor experiences to support learners with Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH) needs and complex learning needs, including autism, to reach their potential.
Our learner-centred approach helps young people develop resilience, confidence, independence and lifelong skills, while making the most of the natural environment.
We're building our talent pool for future Lead Tutor opportunities across our schools. While we may not have an immediate vacancy at every location, we're keen to hear from experienced education professionals who share our values and would like to be considered when suitable opportunities arise.
By applying, you'll become part of our proactive recruitment process, allowing us to contact you when a role matching your preferences becomes available.
Key Details
Salary: £39,211 per year
Contract: Permanent, Term Time Only – 41 weeks per year
Hours: 37.5 hours per week
Locations: Opportunities may become available at one of the following locations:
- Shillingford (Exeter)
- Crediton
- South Brent
- Tiverton
During your application, you'll be able to tell us which location(s) you would consider working at.
About the Role
As a Lead Tutor, you'll be an important part of our Middle Management Team, taking a leading role in the quality and delivery of education within your learner group.
Working collaboratively with other Lead Tutors, Tutors, Learning Support Assistants and school leadership, you'll help shape engaging, individualised and project-based learning opportunities that meet the needs of our learners.
This isn't a traditional classroom teaching role. Our education takes place in outdoor environments, with learning designed around the individual needs, interests and goals of our young people. You'll combine educational leadership with hands-on delivery, pastoral support and effective team collaboration to help learners engage with education and achieve meaningful progress.
You'll also play an important role in supporting colleagues, maintaining high standards of teaching and learning, and ensuring that the needs of learners remain at the heart of day-to-day decision-making.
Key Responsibilities
- Curriculum Leadership: Lead the planning and delivery of engaging, individualised learning experiences across curriculum areas including Literacy, Numeracy, STEM, Forest Skills and wider project-based learning.
- Teaching and Learning: Support, monitor and develop the quality of teaching and learning within your group, promoting consistently high standards and effective practice.
- Learner Progress: Monitor individual learning pathways and ensure educational support aligns with learners' EHCP outcomes, individual needs and wider development goals.
- Pastoral Leadership: Provide day-to-day pastoral leadership for your learner group, responding to concerns and supporting colleagues and learners during challenging or crisis situations.
- Behaviour Support: Contribute to the development and implementation of Individual Behaviour Support Plans (IBSPs), using an understanding of individual needs to promote positive engagement and development.
- Literacy Development: Promote reading and literacy development, including supporting the effective use of the Accelerated Reader programme.
- Family Engagement: Build positive relationships with families, support the Home Learning Environment and maintain effective communication around learner progress and needs.
- Reporting: Produce high-quality learner reports and contribute to reviews, assessments and other documentation relating to learner progress.
- Team Leadership and Collaboration: Work collaboratively with colleagues, specialists and wider services to provide holistic support, while helping your team develop effective practice.
- Safeguarding: Act as a Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead for your group, helping to maintain a strong safeguarding culture and ensuring concerns are responded to appropriately.
- Professional Development: Lead and participate in CPD, reflective practice and team development, contributing to continuous improvement across the school.
What We're Looking For
We're looking for people who are:
- Experienced in teaching, education or supporting young people with additional needs.
- Confident taking responsibility for the quality of teaching, learning and learner progress.
- Passionate about creating individualised and engaging learning experiences.
- Able to provide leadership, guidance and support to colleagues.
- Resilient and comfortable working in an emotionally challenging environment.
- Confident working outdoors throughout the year.
- Able to adapt their approach to learners with a wide range of needs.
- Strong communicators who can build positive relationships with learners, colleagues and families.
- Reflective practitioners who are committed to their own development and that of others.
- Passionate about improving outcomes for children and young people.
- Committed to our outdoor learning and Forest School ethos.
Experience working with young people with SEMH, autism or other complex learning needs would be particularly valuable, alongside experience of curriculum development, pastoral leadership or SEND education.
Unique Perks
- Professional development: Staff development days and investment in Continuing Professional Development (CPD), including opportunities to develop your skills in outdoor and SEND education.
- Career growth: Access to internal development opportunities and support to progress your career within The Outdoors Group.
- Health and wellbeing: Workplace health and wellbeing support through Health Assured, including 24/7 counselling, mental health resources and holistic wellbeing guidance.
- Financial wellbeing: Access to our company-funded Employee Assistance Programme via Mintago, including budgeting and saving tools, pension support and exclusive retail discounts.
- Staff discount: 10% discount across The Outdoors Group products and services.
- Workwear: Branded workwear where required, alongside a clothing allowance for contact roles.
- Celebrations: Funded staff celebration events at least once a year.
- A rewarding environment: Join a passionate and dedicated team that values resilience, creativity and inclusivity, while helping young people achieve meaningful outcomes.
Safer Recruitment
The Outdoors Group is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. An Enhanced DBS check and appropriate pre-employment checks are required for this role.
If you're an experienced education professional who's passionate about doing things differently and want to help lead meaningful, outdoor-based education for young people, click apply to visit our website and register your interest in future Lead Tutor opportunities.
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: £39,211.00 per year
Benefits:
- Casual dress
- Company events
- Company pension
- Employee discount
- Free parking
- Health & wellbeing programme
- On-site parking
Work Location: On the road
