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Level 3 Forest School Leader

Are you looking for the best job in the world? We are looking for new staff members to join our Award Winning team!

Børn of the Forest is a classroom without walls where children learn from nature, within nature. Our ethos is based upon both the Reggio Emilia and Forest School approaches, and we pride ourselves on offering inclusive, child centred and open-ended provision. We offer woodland play sessions, Forest School sessions, After-school and Holiday clubs, Therapeutic Forest sessions, school / nursery group visits as well as birthday parties and family sessions. We operate from our secure 3.5-acre site in Follifoot as well as from within the woodland sites of local schools. We opened in April 2019 and are now looking for additional staff to support with our increasing demand for sessions

We are looking for enthusiastic, reliable, creative people to join our team! People who love nature, can embrace all of our Great British weathers (and the mud and puddles it creates), enjoy playing outdoors and will be fully committed to our family business that supports our local community. For this position we are looking for a qualified Forest School Leader with experience of working with secondary aged young people and SEND young people who would like at least 2 days of mid-week term time work (additional hours and school holiday work may be available).

Forest School Leader

The role is diverse but some of your duties will include…

🌳 To plan, prepare and deliver a range of Forest School and Play sessions

🌳 To supervise and support clients with varying needs while delivering sessions

🌳 To ensure that all sessions are well prepared

🌳 Maintain planning records and provide feedback on student progress

🌳 Being open to new ideas, supporting our small but awesome team, being part of the family

Hours per week: Variable depending on organisational needs and applicants availability. Must be available to work after school term time, school holidays and weekends on a rota.

Salary: £17-22 per hour (inclusive of holiday allowance)

Date of advertisement: 24 May 2025

Closing date: Until position filled

To apply please complete and return the application form to [email protected]

BOTF Job Application Form

Forest School Leader Job Description

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NOCN Level 3 Certificate for Forest School Leaders
Certificate in Therapeutic Skills for Outdoor Leaders (in training)
PGCE Early Years and Lower Primary (QTS)
BA (hons) Early Childhood Studies

About Vikki

Prior to opening BOTF with Chris she spent 8 years working as a teacher in Nursery, Reception and Year 1 classes both in the UK and in Australia. Vikki is a bit of a child development geek. She is very interested in how children play and passionate about the benefits of truly child-led, open ended play. In addition to Forest School, Vikki is inspired by the principles of the Reggio Emilia approach which she tries to incorporate into BOTF.

Vikki Loves

Travel, live music, yoga, cups of tea and animals.

OCN Level 3 Certificate for Forest School Leaders
PGCE Lower Primary (QTS)
First Class Honours Bachelor of Arts, Illustration

About Sarah

Following her illustration degree and publication of her first children’s book, Sarah re-trained as a teacher and enjoyed 10+ years teaching within the Early Years and Year 1, in England and Scotland. She is passionate about child-led, play-based learning, where children are the masters of their own learning journey.
As a late diagnosed autistic adult, Sarah highly values Forest School’s innovative outdoor approach and the numerous specific benefits that this approach offers the neurodiverse community.
As former British champion, Sarah also coaches Muay Thai boxing at Kao Loi gym in Harrogate, where she has trained for over 27 years.

Sarah Loves

Muay Thai boxing, children’s picture books, trees, fungi, Yorkshire tea, art, music, animals, and Harry Potter…oh, and playing Hogwarts Legacy on the PS4!

Open Awards Level 3 Certificate for Forest School Leaders
Certificate in Therapeutic Skills for Outdoor Leaders (in training)

About Chris

Prior to setting up BOTF with Vikki, Chris worked in swimming and as a therapy manager in a specialist college. This role involved supporting people who have special education needs and disabilities (SEND); and people with profound, multiple learning disabilities and physical impairments. Chris has a passion for breaking down the barriers to learning and seeking ways to improve people’s quality of life.

Chris Loves

Football, stand up paddle boarding, live music and campfire cooking.

NOCN Level 3 Certificate for Forest School Leaders

About Lauren

After completing a Social Work degree, Lauren spent most of her career working with Looked After Children. After having her own children, she developed an interest in play & early years development. She is super passionate about reading and the power of sharing stories with children.

Lauren spends half of the week working at the Harrogate and Knaresborough Toy Library and half of the week in the forest. Børn of the Forest is her absolute dream job! She is also a Beaver Scout Leader in Harrogate (Beaver name: Wren) and loves going on camp – campfire songs being her speciality.

Lauren Loves

Coffee, cooking, children’s picture books and is quite partial to a slice of cake every now and then.