Forest School Curriculum
Future focused since 1611
TheHulmeTrustwasgivenpermission tosupportlocaleducationalprojects, andtheOldhamHulmeGrammar Schoolswerefounded
OldhamGrammar Schoolopened
InJune,10,000evacueesfrom GuernseyarrivedinEngland with manybeingwelcomedintothehomes ofOldham withanumbercontinuing theireducationatHulme Theybecame knownasTheGuernseyBoys,and wouldnotreturnhomefor5years
Manyoftheschool’spupils,bothboysand girls,volunteeredtheirservicestoWorld WarI.71studentsand1staffmemberwere recordedtohavelosttheirlives,withthe majoritybeingkilledinactionattheSomme
Thefirstpupilsenteredthenew schoolbuildingson1stMay,with theofficialopeningbeingdoneby EarlSpenceron30th
TheCentenaryLibrarywasopened,and wasbuilttoreflectthechangingneedsof pupils complementingtheadvancesmade throughouttheschooltoequippupilsfor thechallengesofhighereducationand employmentandtopreparethemtobecome adultcitizensinthenewmillennium
A£500,000ScienceCentre wasopenedbyoneofthe world’sleadingsurgeons,and Hulmeoldboy DrDavidNott
Duetotherapidriseofindustryin Oldhamitwasdeemedtheschool wasinanunsuitablepartoftown, anditeventuallyclosedin1867
Theschoolwasflourishingwith numbersgrowing,soalargethree storeyextensionwasconstructed andtheGirls’Schoolwasopened
Theschoolrapidlyexpanded:the Estcourtbuildingwasopenedforuse bytheGirls’JuniorSchool;followed byadedicatedsciencebuilding in1959 andin1969Thornycroft building aspaceforSixthForm studentsandartdepartments
TheBoys’andGirls’Schools weremerged,bringingthem undertheleadershipofone Principal,withNurseryandSixth Formbeingco-educational
September–OHGSbecomes HulmeGrammarSchool HGS welcomesthefirstcohortof co-educationYear7s
Why choose Hulme
We believe in the power of curiosity, critical thinking, and creativity Our dedicated teachers are passionate about igniting the spark within each student, encouraging them to question, explore, and develop a love for learning that extends far beyond theclassroom
We inspire a passion for life-long learningthroughabroadandbalanced curriculum, designed and led by subjectexperts AsaGoogleReference School, we embrace the advances of technology, acknowledging the opportunities that it presents for the schoolandourstudents
We harness the goodwill, success and experienceofouralumnitobenefitour current students. Our mentorship scheme in the Sixth Form is one way weworkwithpastHulmeians,allowing current students to gain advice, supportandexperience
Ourtoppriorityisnurturingeachpupil, helpingthemsafely,happilyand successfullynavigatetheirwaythrough life.WithateamofPastoralLeads,Heads ofYear,FormTutors,MentalHealthLeads andprofessionalCounsellorsworking together,outstandingpastoralcareisin ourDNA
A staggering array of clubs, societies and volunteering opportunities help students broaden their horizons and build qualities such as leadership, resilience,collaborationandempathy
It’s always the right time to join Hulme Pupils join us at a range of entrypoints,fromstartingPre-Prepat theageof2andstayingwithusright throughtoSixthFormat18,ourdoors arealwaysopentonewstudents Staff benefit from working in a throughschool which takes the very youngest andnurturesthemtomaturitytoSixth Formandbeyond
Hulme stands in the North West of Englandasabeaconofhighacademic standards and exceptional pastoral care, offering a vibrant, inclusive education that nurtures young people as individuals, empowering them to realisetheirpotential
A truly diverse, inclusive and multicultural community of staff and students Everyone is free to be themselvesatHulme
Hulme is a large school, meaning we arewellequippedtoofferawiderange ofopportunities However,wearesmall enough to offer personalised support to each and every student, ensuring they are known and treated as an individual
A Hulme education
The education we offer here is deliberately broad and balanced because we believe that balance and breadth will best set students up to be successful in their future studies, the workplace and life generally. We’re unapologetically academic but committed to delivering so much more than good exam results, as important as they are.
Hulme Grammar is not your typical independent school and certainly not the sort of school critics of the sector - many of whom have never darkened the doors of an independent school - have in mind when they talk about one.
Our students
Students recognise that they are fortunate enough to have access to a Hulme education but this is no bastion of privilege. Many of our parents are making daily sacrifices to send their children to us because they want the very best quality education for them. We take the responsibility that comes with providing their children’s education very seriously.
The students here are grounded, well-rounded, socially minded, determined to make the most of the opportunities here and ambitious to make the world a better place. They are also huge fun! It’s our role to prepare them for life beyond school, ready to take the big wide world by storm when they leave us. A career in education is by no means a walk in the park.
At Hulme, staff are ambitious for the pupils to be successful and work hard to help them fulfil their full potential. That’s sometimes tiring but is also hugely rewarding and there are a number of benefits to working here.
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Benefits to working at Hulme include free staff lunches and refreshments throughout the day; free use of the swimming pool for staff, and opportunities for staff to get together socially, for example at end-of-term special lunches. We take teaching and learning seriously and have a staff group that meets regularly to share ideas and explore the latest ideas arising from education research.
And because we recognise that life is sometimes tough and because we are committed to promoting the good mental health and well-being of our employees, we operate policies and procedures that ensure this as well as free access to counselling services.
Fixed Term Forest School Curriculum Leader 0.5 FTE at Hulme Grammar School
Reports To: Head of Prep
The Forest School Curriculum Leader will be responsible to the Head of Prep who will also act as their line manager.
The role of the Forest School Leader is to create and lead a programme that educates and inspires young children through a variety of outdoor activities and tasks. Each class receives either a morning or afternoon session in our Forest School every 2 weeks throughout the school year.
Key responsibilities include:
Devise/plan a progressive Forest School curriculum which delivers purposeful and productive activities for children from EYFS to Year 6.
Select and use a range of diverse resources and delivery styles appropriate to the Forest School experience and the age of the children, ensuring their safety at all times.
Encourage children to interact and work cooperatively, as well as develop independence and self-reliance. This includes promoting positive values, attitudes and good behaviour, acting as a role model, engaging children in activities and providing immediate feedback in relation to progress and achievement.
Monitor children’s responses to learning activities through observation and provide objective and accurate feedback to staff as required on achievement and progress, ensuring appropriate evidence is available.
Support the activities of the Senior Leadership Team in promoting and marketing the provision to prospective parents and be an enthusiastic advocate of the Forest School experience.
Budget for, organise and order appropriate resources, in conjunction with SLT.
Offer outreach sessions as required by the Head of Prep.
Child Protection
Promoting and safeguarding the welfare of children and young people in accordance with the school’s safeguarding and child protection policy.
Undertake professional development activities to enhance personal development and job performance, through the provision of training and mentoring. Attend relevant school meetings, as well as any other meetings associated with this role. Any other reasonable duties as required by the Headteacher.
Contract: fixed term until August 2026 (option to extend)
Salary: £26,117 (FTE) £10,949 (pro rata)
Working Arrangements: term time only 0.5 FTE (to be covered over 2.5 working days per week)
Application Deadline: 9:00am on 22nd April 2025
Interview Date: 25th April 2025- time to be confirmed
Completed applications must be emailed to hr@hulmegrammar.org or posted to the HR department, Hulme Grammar School, Chamber Road, Oldham OL8 4BX.
Essential
These are qualities without which the applicant could not be appointed
Qualifications & Experience
Level 3 Forest School Leader Qualification.
Relevant experience in leading outdoor education or Forest School sessions.
A valid First Aid qualification (or willingness to obtain).
Experience of working with children in a primary or
Early Years setting.
Experience of writing outdoor risk assessments and
health and safety procedures.
Skills & Attributes
Strong knowledge of Forest School principles and outdoor learning methodologies.
Excellent communication and leadership skills.
Ability to plan, implement and assess outdoor
learning programmes.
Risk assessment and safety awareness in outdoor environments.
Ability to engage and inspire young children in outdoor learning.
Desirable
These are extra qualities which can be used to choose between applicants who meet all of the essential criteria
Qualifications & Experience
Teaching or education-related qualification.
Experience in environmental conservation and
sustainability.
Experience in marketing and outreach to promote the Forest School programme.
Skills & Attributes
Practical skills in outdoor construction (e.g. shelters, natural play areas).
Ability to develop partnerships with local organisations to enhance the programme.
