The Hideaway Forest School, Bristol, UK
Forest School Job Vacancies
We are always actively looking for qualified level 3 Forest School practitioners to help extend the services we offer. If you already hold a level 3 Forest School qualification and have experience of working with young children, we would love to hear from you. We enjoy sharing our practise and learning from others so if you are in training or have an interest in Forest School and would like to volunteer at one of our settings then please do use our contact form to tell us a bit about you. We would love to welcome you into The Hideaway.
CURRENT VACANCIES
Forest School Playworker
You’ll be helping to run our after school, forest school club for children aged 4 – 11 years old. We are a fun and friendly club held in Horfield, North Bristol. You will be responsible for collecting the children from their class, getting dressed for going outdoors, you will facilitate nature based activities and provide snack cooked on a camp fire.
Key responsibilities:
- Set up and tidying
- Model and support safe play
- Direct play work
-support forest school leader with planned activities.
Responsible to: Forest school leader
Duties and Responsibilities:
Activity Planning
1. To lead and supervise safe, creative and appropriate play opportunities for Year R to Year 6 children in woodland area all year-round rain or shine.
Direct Play work
1. To help deliver a wide range of creative and enjoyable activities
2. To help with the planning of a wide range of creative and enjoyable activities
3. To fully support inclusive practice, and ensure that all children can be involved in the activities offered if they wish
4. Ensure that activities are carried out in a safe and responsible manner
Other
5. To assist with the preparation and maintenance of materials, equipment;
6. To ensure confidentially of information received
Person specification:
Essential
1. Love of the outdoors!
2. Experience of working in a child care setting (paid or voluntary)
3. Up to date DBS and child protection training
4. Ability to motivate and engage children in practical play activities
5. Previous experience of risk assessing activities and / or environment
Desirable
1. Knowledge of bush craft, flora and fauna & gardening
2. Level 2 or 3 Forest School or Play Work
3. Up to date Paediatric First Aid Certificate
4. A skill or passion for sports, music or arts
Hours per week: 6hrs ( 3 - 6pm, Wednesday)
Optional additional holiday club hours during school holidays.
Job Types: Part-time, Permanent
Pay: £11.50 per hour
Expected hours: 3 per week
Expected start date: 18/09/2024
Please email hideawayfs@gmail.com to find out more.
Our Staff at Hideaway Forest School
Vicki Paton
Is the founder of The Hideaway. Originally from Fife in Scotland and moved to beautiful Bristol in 2002. She was a teacher in South Bristol for 15 years and in this time taught Year 2 children before becoming deputy head and specialising in early years education. She trained and achieved her level 3 Forest School leader qualification and began to see the benefits it brought to the children who regularly participated. Having been a teacher and having two children of her own, she was all too aware of the pressure we put our young children under within the education system. She wants her children and others to enjoy getting muddy, learn first hand about the seasons and above all learn about themselves and their capabilities in the beautiful outdoors.
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Lisa Tozer
Grew up in Bristol, scurrying around in the woods, climbing trees and building dens. Not much has changed! Over a decade ago, she began working as a youth worker and play worker, until bringing together her passion for children and young people with the great outdoors and training to become a Level 3 Forest School leader. She also gained her Masters in Education with her dissertation focussing on how nature programmes can benefit children and young people. She had her son 3 years ago and now enjoys showing him the natural world when she's not working.
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Helen
Helen has lived in Bristol for 20 years, after moving here for university. She lives with her husband and son. Helen holds a Master's Degree in the Psychology of Education and has worked in a secondary school for deaf children for the past 13 years, but the call of the forest was strong, and last year she completed her Early Years Educator Level 3 Diploma alongside her Forest School Level 3 training, and now joins The Hideaway as a Dedicated Practitioner.
Helen enjoys running, particularly with This Mum Runs, and spending time with friends and family.
Simon
Simon has worked in the field of outdoor education for several years and has taught water-sports, archery and Forest School programs. He is an OCN Level 3 Forest School Leader and holds the Advanced Bushcraft Award NCFE IIQ Level 3 giving him the skills to take full responsibility for setting up, running and evaluating woodland programmes.
As an outdoor instructor he has worked with a diverse range of groups from varied backgrounds, including mainstream education and excluded children.
Each group brings its own challenges and rewards and Simon believes everyone can benefit from the positive experiences to be had at Forest School.
Simon is never happier when out in the woods but does enjoy his creature comforts when at home!
Emma
Emma is well known at Henleaze Infant school for supporting the children as a teaching assistant within the classroom. Emma also enjoys working for The Hideaway After school Club and holiday clubs. She says being outside is as good for the staffs well-being as well as the children's.
Emma loves to go for walks in nature with friends and loves developing her knowledge of flora and fauna alongside the children.