Unqualified Outdoor Education Teacher

Location: Burnley, Lancashire (BB)

Setting: Alternative Provision (AP) - Secondary

Salary: Up to £31,850 per annum (Depending on experience / Scale point)

Contract Type: Full-Time, Permanent

Start Date: September 2026 (or sooner if available)

We are looking for an energetic, resilient, and engaging Unqualified Outdoor Education Teacher to join our dedicated Alternative Provision team in Burnley. In this role, you will use the environment as your classroom, delivering a practical curriculum designed to build confidence, teamwork, resilience, and essential life skills for secondary-aged students with social, emotional, and mental health (SEMH) needs.

You do not need Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) for this role. We value your life experience, outdoor skillset, and your ability to build strong, trusted connections with vulnerable young people above formal teaching credentials.

Key Responsibilities

• Deliver Engaging Outdoor Learning: Plan and lead practical, outdoor-based sessions (e.g., bushcraft, navigation, team-building, conservation, sports) tailored to small groups of AP students.

• Behaviour & Engagement: Manage challenging behaviour positively, using trauma-informed approaches to de-escalate situations and re-engage students.

• Mentor & Support: Act as a positive role model, helping students develop personal social skills, emotional regulation, and self-esteem.

• Safety & Compliance: Conduct robust risk assessments for all off-site and outdoor activities, ensuring strict safety standards are maintained at all times.

What We Are Looking For

We are less concerned with formal teaching degrees and more interested in your leadership, presence, and life experience. This role is ideally suited to individuals from Ex-Military, Sports Coaching, or Youth Work backgrounds who know how to command respect while building trust.

• The Right Presence & Resilience: High emotional intelligence, a calm-under-pressure demeanour, and the "thick skin" required to handle challenging behaviours. You know how to establish clear boundaries with mutual respect.

• Transferable Backgrounds:

  • Ex-Military / Service Personnel: Your discipline, leadership, instructional skills, and ability to thrive in outdoor environments make you a perfect fit for our structured yet adaptable setting.

  • Sports Coaches: Your energy, team-building expertise, and ability to motivate disengaged youth through physical and practical activity will translate perfectly to our outdoor curriculum.

  • Youth Workers / Mentors: Your understanding of trauma, relational approach, and experience managing complex social-emotional needs will help our students feel safe, heard, and challenged.

• Outdoor Aptitude: While formal outdoor qualifications (e.g., Mountain Leader, Bushcraft, Forest School) are a bonus, a genuine passion for the outdoors and practical skills are essential.

• Driving License (Essential): A full UK driving license is mandatory, as you will regularly transport students to off-site outdoor locations using the school minibus.

What We Offer

• Competitive Salary: Up to £31,850, aligned with the Unqualified Teacher framework and matched to your hands-on experience.

• Professional Development: Full training provided, including Team Teach (positive behaviour management), trauma-informed practice, and support toward further outdoor or educational qualifications.

• A Rewarding Environment: The chance to change the trajectory of young people's lives by providing them with a space to succeed outside the traditional school walls.

Please submit your CV and a brief covering letter detailing your experience working with young people or your background in outdoor activities.