Currently recruiting leaders to work within the Oxfordshire area for our expanding schools programmes.

Current sessions available:

Forest School – Primary (15 children per group)- 1 day a week Pref Thurs but not essential.
Forest School approach small group nurture groups – Secondary (5 students) 4 two hr sessions over 2 days a week Pref. Tues & Weds – within school grounds loan working with back up school support.
Forest School – Primary (15 children per group)- 1 day a week. Reception & Yr.1 Hr sessions. Short contract. Can start now until Christmas with 14 weeks continued either Jan or after Easter school flexible but cannot be a Monday.

Do still apply if you aren’t interested or available for the above programmes, but would like to join our books for other future programmes.

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Outdoor Instructor, Oxfordshire

Location: A variety of schools and sites in and around the Oxfordshire area.

Salary range:

2 hours teaching time £60-70 often classed as half day.
4 hours teaching time, £100-£120 often classed as full day.
Planning time, preparation and reporting are including in the above rates.
Rates are subject to experience, and individual programmes allocated.
Senior Outdoor Instructor positions are available. These come with greater responsibility, increased experience, skills level, and for the right candidate, higher rates are secured.

Contract: Part Time Freelance Contract initially, programme expenses covered as set in expenses policy.

Example of possible hours:

Half days can range between 0900-1300/1200-1600.
Full days can range between 0900-1600.
Popular session times 0900-1100/0900-1200/0930-1130/1000-1200/1030-1230/1130-1330/1300-1500.
We aim to be flexible around our teams’ childcare needs.

Responsible to: Regional Manager.

Closing date: Open

How to apply: Nicky Barnes at nicky@inourelement.org.uk

Job overview:

In Our Element Organisation is a social enterprise that started back in 2015. We provide a range of outdoor education programmes to schools or other education providers. These include Forest School, Curriculum Enrichment, Early Intervention, Re-engagement programmes and Nurture Groups.

We specialise, and have a proven track record, in intensive alternative education packages, whether on an individual or small group basis. This mainly involves working in a school setting in their own outdoor area, or we help to develop a suitable outdoor space with the students. These programmes are particularly supportive to those at risk of permanent exclusion, on reduced timetables or simply identified as needing extra support or time away, from the classroom for a variety of background reasons. These programmes aim to increase confidence and self-esteem, providing participants with positive learning experiences to help build resilience and wellbeing.

There is an increased demand for our programmes supporting those recovering from the aftermath of Covid 19 and children struggling with the re-integration back into school. This is coupled with a shortage of special school places and pressures on schools to meet the needs of their students whilst providing full days of education. The right candidate will be taking responsibility for executing these programmes within specific schools and work will be allocated on a regular basis.

Our outdoor Instructors generally work alone with one-to-one programmes and small groups. Some clients will support with a school staff member, depending on the programme/student’s needs.

Programmes are often student led and rely on the Outdoor Instructor having a variety of skills and experience to facilitate a range of progressive, enriching, and engaging projects or activities.

During school holidays we can run various children’s holiday activities, afterschool clubs, family days/ camps and adult sessions through the separate branding, Wild Ways. This is part of our organisation, with revenue from these sessions helping to financially support the main educational programmes. Our Outdoor Instructors can have the opportunity for work on these holiday sessions also, and rates are structured depending on the event.

Main responsibilities

Plan and resource activities:

Devise, plan and prepare activity content to meet programme needs.
Complete tracking and monitoring reports at the end of each session.
Follow risk assessments and health and safety planning.
Ensuring all activities are carried out within Standard Operating Guidelines.
Help develop a teaching space, over time, within the outdoor spaces worked in.

Delivery of activities:

Deliver safe and effective activities in accordance with programme aims and objectives seeking to exceed the client’s expectations.
Effectively communicate and safely demonstrate to all programme participants the activity content as appropriate.
Maintain good communication and always ensure excellent customer service with the client and their staff.
Keep activity records as appropriate.
Ensure the wellbeing and safety of all participants throughout the programme.
Be responsible for personal health and safety and be conversant with current legislation relevant to the safe running of activities/programmes in the outdoors.
Undertake the regular checking and maintenance of equipment as necessary.
Undertake regular checking and reporting of the outdoor site/area used, regarding deadfall on trees or other potential hazards.

Other:

Undertake any training and professional development as and when required.
Undertake any other reasonable duties, in line with the Outdoor Instructor title, as may be determined by Regional Manager/Director.

Person specification

Skills and experience

Essential:

Experience of planning and resourcing outdoor activities.
Basic tool use/bushcraft, campcraft and woodland craft skills.
Experience of working with behaviours that challenge and children with additional support needs: SEND – (Special Educational Needs & Disabilities), SEMH – (Social Emotional & Mental Health), SEBD – (Social Emotional & Behavioural Difficulties).
Have experience of and work effectively with clients and as part of a team.
The ability to motivate and encourage people.
Demonstrate strong communication and people skills.
Be able to remain calm in difficult situations and identify solutions.
The ability to set appropriate professional standards for self and others.
Driving licence and own transport.
Relevant First Aid Certificate.
Generalist safeguarding qualification. (Advanced will be required for 1:1 sessions).
A full Enhanced DBS Certificate.
Food Hygiene qualification (level 2).

Desirable:

Any of the following – Forest School Leader, IOL Bushcraft Competency Certificate, Summer ML Award, Single Pitch Award, Mountain Bike Leader Award (or equivalent), BCU Kayak/ Canoe/ Paddlesport Coach/ Leader qualifications, Forest School Practitioner.
Additional crafting skills and the ability to run sessions, for example leatherwork, carpentry, willow weaving etc.
Good knowledge of ecological processes.
Some of your own bushcraft/outdoor kit.

Personal qualities:

Pro-active.
Resourceful.
Independent.
A team player.
Conscientious and responsible.
Supportive, able to enthuse others and maintain a professional image.
Be able to ask for help and guidance.
Flexible, and willing to work in the fast-paced, constantly changing environment of a growing service-providing social enterprise.

In Our Element Organisation is committed to promoting equality and diversity; and follows the Safer Recruitment guidelines.