Dorset Forest School Apprenticeship

Dorset Forest School and the Dorset Youth Association have teamed up to offer a paid forest school apprenticeshipl. The apprenticeship runs from 22nd November 2021 for 30 hours a week, term time until July 1st 2022. The apprentice will gain a work placement alongside the forest school team at Dorset Studio School, a secondary school which has a land and environment specialism located on the Kingston Maurward Estate in County Town of Dorchester. In addition, the apprentice will gain the following qualifications:

Level 2 Safeguarding
First Aid at Work
Level 2 Forest School Assistant.

Principle Duties and Person Specification

To be responsible for the supervision and care of all the students attending the Forest School. To assist with the planning and implementation of Forest School activities both suitable for the stage and development of the children.
To maintain a secure, safe and happy environment for the students.
To understand, value and encourage stages of child development. To challenge and support the children. To ensure that all children are treated and respected as individuals and that their needs are catered for.
To promote equal opportunities throughout the day.
To be enthusiastic about our unique outside environment and participate in all outdoor activities throughout the year following the Forest School Association’s ethos at all times.
To work alongside the forest school team and other professionals giving support to children who may have specific individual needs.
To contribute to the planning of activities following to support the students.
To ensure that all developmental records are kept up to date including the session evaluations, observations and termly reports.
To maintain confidentiality in respect to the students and their families, the written records and issues discussed on the Forest School or School premises. To have regard to confidentiality outside the School including social networking sites.
To support the forest school team through sharing observations and taking photos of students to high development.

To promote good communication between staff and encourage a good team spirit
To identify your own training needs
To be responsible for the maintenance of a good public image of the Dorset Forest School and the Dorset Studio School
To follow and maintain the DfES Statutory Guidelines
To read, understand and follow the Forest School Policies and Benefit Risk Assessments at all times
To ensure that at all times the students are kept safe from visitors.
To attend staff meetings outside working hours
To ensure equipment are kept clean and in good working order
To ensure a good standard of cleanliness, tidiness and hygiene are being maintained throughout the day
To assist with any first aid when required ensuring the correct completion of the accident book, medication book and pre-existing injury forms. To have regard to allergies and parental preferences both environmental and food related.
To work alongside the Forest School Leader, the Dorset Studio School and Dorset Forest School to ensure the smooth running of the Forest School and the ethos of both settings.
To undertake any other duties as may be required from time to time such as working for Dorset Forest School at the Dorset Studio School if need be.

As an apprentice you will be included on a L2 Forest School Assistant Training with Dorset Forest School and First Aid at Work and Level 2 Safeguarding with the Dorset Youth Association. A timetable will be devised to complete this around your work commitments at Dorset Studio School.

Whilst on the apprenticeship you will be entitled to an NUS card https://www.apprenticeextra.co.uk/

Future Prospects

This vacancy is for a temporary position at Dorset Forest School for a placement at Dorset Studio School where an apprenticeship programme will be delivered.

Skills required

Good Communication
Ability to use computer
Adaptable
The ability to work as part of a team
Must be able to follow instructions from the room leader

Qualifications required

Non Specific – experience in caring for children would be preferred.

Personal qualities

Polite
Patient Punctual
Diligent
Trustworthy
Reliable
Confidentiality essential

Things to consider

Applicants need to be aware that this is working outside all year round, we do have shelters but the children who attend Dorset Studio School attend as they want to be outside all of the time. The apprentice will need to have an interest in the outdoors and their own outdoor clothing equipment to stay warm and dry throughout the year. They will also need steel toe capped boots. Apprenticeship standards Level 2 Early Years Practitioner/ L3 Early Years Educator Apprenticeship standards are aimed at developing skills within the Apprentices chosen career route, each standard has set knowledge, skills and behaviours required to be successful within the job role. This will include the completion of functional skills in Maths and English. Once the apprentice has completed a minimum of 12 months training and the employer and Babcock regional trainer confirm they have met all the requirements of the standard they will be put through to end point assessment. The end point assessment is independent from the training and includes a variety of assessment methods which test the skills and knowledge of the apprentice to ensure they are fully competent in their role. Each Apprentice will be supported throughout the apprenticeship by a structured programme of teaching, e-learning, face to face training and workplace mentoring; this will encourage and help them to meet the requirements of the new standards and will prepare them for the end of point assessment

Application instructions

For further information on this vacancy and to apply please click ‘apply’. At this point you will enter the Babcock Training website where you can review the job vacancy in more detail and apply. Please complete the application form. You will then be contacted by a recruiter and your details will be sent to the employer. Any enquiries please contact Karen Rotheram 01704332144