Forestry Lecturer

• Company: Plumpton College
• Closing Date: 11-09-2026
• Location: Plumpton, Lewes
• Salary: Up to £36,454 per annum
• Hours: 37.5 hours per week
• Contact Email: recruitment@plumpton.ac.uk

Description

Plumpton College is a leading provider of land and environmental education in the UK, situated in the heart of the South Downs National Park. We offer a wide range of vocational and academic courses for students of all ages studying from level 1 to Masters degree and across nineteen subject areas including agriculture, animal management, veterinary sciences, horticulture, equine studies, wine, and environmental studies. 

Our approach is underpinned by our core values — Professional, Ambitious, Passionate, Supportive, Progressive, and Enterprising — which guide everything we do. We are proud to foster a culture that expects high standards, encourages innovation, and prioritises the learner experience. 

About the role: 

We are seeking a committed and inspiring Lecturer in Forestry to deliver high-quality, ambitious and inclusive teaching, learning and assessment in forestry and arboriculture. This role is central to supporting learners to make strong progress, achieve successful outcomes, and progress into further study, apprenticeships or skilled employment within the land-based sector. 

You will play an important part in shaping and developing a curriculum that responds to employer expectations, industry need, and local and national skills priorities, while contributing to excellent learner experiences and continuous improvement across the provision. 

You will 

• Plan, prepare and deliver highly effective, well-sequenced lessons in forestry and arboriculture
• Support learners of all starting points to develop their knowledge, practical skills and professional behaviours over time
• Adapt teaching, learning and assessment to meet individual learner needs, including those with SEND or requiring additional support
• Track learner progress closely, provide timely developmental feedback, and intervene where students are not making expected progress
• Contribute to curriculum development, quality improvement, recruitment activity, open events, and employer engagement 

About you 

You will bring: 

• A degree, professional qualification or equivalent in a relevant subject area
• A teaching qualification appropriate to the level of delivery, or willingness to work towards one
• Sector or industry experience and strong specialist knowledge in forestry, arboriculture or a related land-based area
• A clear understanding of how learners make progress and how teaching can be adapted to support diverse needs
• Excellent communication, IT and interpersonal skills, with a collaborative, reflective and solutions-focused approach 

You’ll benefit from: 

We offer a competitive salary and a generous benefits package, including 37 days’ annual leave plus bank holidays and efficiency days (pro rata). The role is eligible for the Teachers’ Pension Scheme, including employer contributions and life assurance. Staff also benefit from high-quality CPD and professional development opportunities. As a Disability Confident Committed employer and signatory of the Menopause Pledge, we are proud to support an inclusive working environment. 

New colleagues benefit from a structured induction, a supported four-month probationary period, and a strong coaching culture led by in-house Level 5 trained coaches. 

Employees also enjoy lifestyle and wellbeing benefits, including eligibility for a TOTUM and Blue Light Card, free eye tests, free use of our onsite gym, cycle-to-work scheme, electric vehicle salary sacrifice, discounted Plumpton produce and courses, free onsite parking, and access to our Employee Assistance Programme. 

Our commitment to wellbeing and community is further demonstrated through active EDI and Sustainability committees, regular staff events and social activities throughout the year. 

We reserve the right to interview or close the vacancy early should we receive a high volume of applications. Early applications are strongly encouraged. 

Plumpton College is committed to the promotion of equal opportunities and is dedicated to pursuing non-discriminatory policies and practices and eliminating unfair discrimination on any basis. 

Plumpton is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of learners and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.