The closing date for completed applications for this post is 9am on Wednesday 17 June 2026, and it is anticipated interviews will take place on Tuesday 30 June 2026.
Hours: 35 hours per week.
Salary: £37,315 - £43,368 (SCP 29 - 35)
The Forest School Coordinator will lead, develop and manage the delivery of engaging and exciting Forest School provision within Rossie in both the Secure and Residential forest school settings, with specific responsibility for the design, delivery, assessment and quality assurance of a Forest and Outdoor Learning Award (FOLA) programme.
The post holder will take a strategic and operational lead in embedding high-quality outdoor learning experiences that contribute to the education, attainment and wellbeing of young people. They will work with a high degree of autonomy while collaborating with the Service Head of Education, Skills and Lifelong Learning, Principal Teachers and wider educational team to ensure the Forest School programme meets Curriculum for Excellence expectations and awarding body requirements.
The role includes leadership of curriculum design, accreditation processes, staff support, and programme evaluation to ensure a sustainable, high-impact Forest School provision.
Lead, manage and deliver high-quality outdoor learning experiences using accredited programmes.
Lead the development and implementation of the Forest and Outdoor Learning Award (FOLA) programme.
Promote and drive improvements in attainment, achievement and accreditation
Build and sustain positive relationships with young people, staff, partners and awarding bodies
Lead on the management of resources, administration, compliance and quality assurance
Take responsibility for health, safety, wellbeing and safeguarding within all Forest School provision
Lead, manage and deliver learning and teaching.
Design, implement and evaluate a progressive Forest School curriculum aligned to and FOLA and Curriculum for Excellence requirements.
Lead the planning, delivery and continuous improvement of Forest School sessions and programmes.
Oversee and ensure effective assessment, verification and internal quality assurance of accredited learning.
Support young people to achieve awards, accreditation and positive destinations.
Differentiate and adapt programmes to meet a wide range of additional support needs.
Embed digital tools and innovative approaches to enhance learning where appropriate.
Monitor, track and report on learner progress, attainment and achievement.
Liaise with awarding bodies, ensuring compliance with standards and processes.
Lead communication with the care colleagues and external partners in relation to Forest School provision.
Contribute to wider school initiatives, events, and interdisciplinary learning opportunities.
Active participation in raising attainment for our learners.
Use data and evidence to inform targeted interventions and programme development.
Lead quality improvement processes within Forest School provision.
Contribute to whole-school improvement planning and self-evaluation activities.
Promote literacy, numeracy and health & wellbeing across all Forest School activities.
Model and promote high-quality learning and teaching practices.
Lead and support professional learning for colleagues in outdoor learning approaches.
Promote positive relationships and inclusive practice.
Establish and model positive, respectful and trauma-informed relationships with young people.
Support staff in applying consistent, nurturing and restorative approaches.
Ensure inclusive practice that recognises the diverse and complex needs of learners.
Promote learner voice, engagement and participation within programme design.
Maintain strong partnership working with internal and external stakeholders.
Lead resource management and programme administration.
Oversee the planning, organisation and sustainability of Forest School resources and environments.
Manage budgets, materials and equipment effectively.
Ensure all documentation is completed to a high standard, including risk assessments, learner records, and accreditation evidence.
Develop and maintain systems for tracking learner progress and programme impact.
Ensure compliance with awarding body requirements, including evidence gathering and verification.
Supporting and assessing the health and wellbeing of our young people.
Take overall responsibility for risk assessment and safe delivery of all Forest School activities.
Ensure all activities meet organisational, legal and awarding body health and safety standards.
Lead on safeguarding and child protection within the Forest School context.
Promote resilience, confidence and independence in young people.
Ensure appropriate first aid provision and emergency procedures are in place.
Oversee off-site visits, outdoor learning experiences and community-based activities.
Maintain high expectations of behaviour and engagement.
Professional leadership and standards supported by relevant training, ensure.
Maintain and model high professional standards at all times.
Establish and maintain positive and respectful relationships across the organisation.
Maintain up-to-date knowledge of child protection, safeguarding and outdoor learning best practice.
Demonstrate good communication, organisational and leadership skills.
Continuously develop professional expertise in Forest School leadership and accredited programme delivery.
Lead collaborative working across teams to enhance learner outcomes.
Engage in strategic professional learning aligned with organisational priorities.
Develop and maintain good working knowledge of Curriculum for Excellence and accredited frameworks.
Please note this job description is to provide a clear and concise statement of the main tasks and activities of the post, and it is not intended as an exhaustive list of every aspect of the post-holder's duties. All the above duties will be carried out in line with Rossie policies and procedures.
PERSON SPECIFICATION:
Qualifications (Essential):
SCQF level 5 or equivalent awards in literacy and numeracy
Commitment to continuing professional development
Recognised Forest School qualification (minimum FOLA Level 4)
Qualifications (Desirable):
Relevant degree or professional qualification in Outdoor Learning, Education or related field
Qualification or experience to deliver accredited programmes (e.g. FOLA)
Skills (Essential):
Ability to work on own initiative and as part of team
Excellent organisational skills, ability to prioritise workload and meet deadline
Excellent interpersonal skills, and oral and written communication skills
Ability to work collaboratively
Ability to deal with confidential/sensitive matters
Skills (Desirable):
Experience of leading and managing staff or supporting colleagues
Ability to lead professional learning for staff
Experience of budget/resource management
Experience (Essential):
Working with young people in a relevant field.
Experience of designing and delivering outdoor learning programmes
Working in partnership with other agencies
Facilitating learning
Experience (Desirable):
Planning programmes of work
Experience of assessing, tracking and reporting on learner progress and achievement
Experience of supporting learners with additional support needs in an inclusive environment
Knowledge Base (Essential):
Confident in the use of digital tools for learning, assessment and communication
Understanding of relevant national policy, including GIRFEC
Knowledge of accredited frameworks such as FOLA
Knowledge of health and safety, risk assessment and outdoor learning regulations
Knowledge Base (Desirable):
An awareness of the challenges and opportunities arising from working in a residential and secure care setting
An understanding of trauma, and the impact of this in a learning context
An understanding of Curriculum for Excellence
An understanding of trauma-informed practice and its impact on learning
Qualities (Essential):
Flexible and adaptive approach
Empathetic approach to working with vulnerable young people
Ability to establish, maintain and model professional boundaries
Resilient, reflective and committed to continuous improvement
Commitment to inclusion, equity and learner-centred practice
Full Clean Driving Licence (Essential).
Who are we?
We are a Scottish Charity who provides multi-disciplinary services to vulnerable young people throughout the UK. Services include Secure and Residential Accommodation, Care, Education, Health Services and Specialist Intervention Services. We aim to protect and improve the well being of young people in our care, while working with them to build a positive future.
We are a 365 day a year service, and one of our unique benefits is the 150 acres of surrounding woodlands - part of the Rossie estate. This contributes to the therapeutic and holistic pace of life for our young people, and we encourage them to take full advantage of this.
Our services aim to provide a safe and nurturing environment where our young people can grow, develop and thrive, at their own pace. We are relationship-focused and our young people have a direct say in their care plan.
History
Rossie holds a legacy dating back to 1857 when it opened its doors as a Reformatory with the purpose of reclaiming 'young offenders'. Part of the purpose of the reformatory was to provide safety to young people who had faced adversity, committed offences or faced a hostile home environment. Rossie Reformatory aimed to provide help in recovery and to eradicate any chances of re-offending, helping young people become useful members of the community.
While this is still very much the purpose of Rossie today, the organisation has transitioned from what was a control-focussed organisation to what it is now - a child-centred place of safety and wellbeing. Through periods of social, political and educational change, as well as changes in Rossie's business structure, values and focus, Rossie has developed and evolved its services to meet the needs of the young people who stay at the Trust. We strive to create, develop and maintain relationships with young people and their families, through our committed staff.
