Field Studies Team Leader

Background to the Centre:

Medina Valley Centre for Outdoor Education owns a 3 acre site and manages an acre of woodland at a beautiful location on the banks of the Medina Estuary, one mile north of Newport, the county town of the Isle of Wight.

This 100 bed residential Centre has charitable status and provides a quality of care to all-comers that reflects its Christian roots and ethos. The Centre provides field study courses and multi-activity programmes for schools in term time.

 The field studies department has built a national reputation for excellence since its formation in 1977. The team of four highly qualified tutors deliver the field study courses for all Key Stages, including GCSE and A Level Geography, Biology and Environmental Science. 

There is a small leadership team, an administration team, and a catering and domestic team, led by the Centre Manager. The Assistant Chief Instructor heads up the water sports and multi-activity programmes, involving a team of activity instructors who are resident at the Centre. Uniquely, there is a resident host who provides a special quality of care and an Outreach Officer who works as an ambassador for the Centre.

The team of four highly qualified tutors deliver the field study courses for all Key Stages, including GCSE and A Level Geography and Biology.

Around 1800 young people visit our Centre each year and many of the schools return year after year. Schools re-book in the knowledge that their students will receive a professionally-led course, while having a memorable residential experience in a Christian atmosphere, where care for the individual and respect for one's neighbour are highly rated and actively taught by example.

In accordance with the Centre’s Christian foundation there is a genuine occupational requirement that the appointee be a practising Christian.

Main responsibilities:

• To lead a small team of field study tutors 
• To co-ordinate the field studies department’s liaison with primary and secondary schools
• To teach field study courses from Key Stage 2 to Key Stage 5
• To oversee the delivery of the fieldwork component of the multi-activity programmes 
• To encourage the continued development of the Geography GCSE and A Level fieldwork courses and resources to fulfil the requirements of the examination boards
• To encourage the delivery of the Ecology component of the A Level Biology through fieldwork programmes
• To encourage the use of GIS in Geography fieldwork
• To co-ordinate the environmental monitoring and management of the Centre’s nature reserve and research projects. 
• Maintain links with other Island education providers and conservation organisations
• To be a member of the Centre’s Leadership team 

Other responsibilities:

• To contribute to the content and management of the Centre’s website
• To ensure that the field and lab equipment is up to date and well-maintained
• Assist in the instructing and promoting multi-activity programmes
• Contribute to raising the profile of the Centre
• Drive the Centre minibus or willingness to train

We expect the post holder:

• To uphold the aims and objectives of the Centre and promote its Mission Statement
• To take a full part in the life of the Centre
• To support the Christian ethos and spiritual life of the Centre
• To assist and support other departments in the Centre when there is a need
• To receive training for the First Aid qualification (Health & Safety at Work)
• To adhere to the Centre’s safeguarding policy and undergo a DBS check with enhanced disclosure

Opportunities:

• Spend a transition period working alongside experienced tutors who are keen to pass on their knowledge about the Island’s special natural history, heritage and fieldwork sites
• In-service training will be available for the ArcGIS Geographical Information System
• In-service training to enable familiarity with the operating system for the Centre’s website
• Training will be available to gain qualifications in sailing, canoeing/kayaking, powerboating, archery, target shooting and bushcraft
• Opportunities to assist with the multi-activity programmes

Person specification & qualities

The successful applicant will have

• a PGCE, and will be an excellent classroom practitioner
• a passion for the Great Outdoors and an awareness of the potential for motivating and transforming young people through fieldwork
• experience in leading fieldwork programmes with students, ranging in age and ability
• the ability to motivate a close knit team of tutors with inspired leadership qualities 
• the desire to promote the Centre and further enhance its reputation in educational circles
• a servant heart

To apply for the role please complete the attached application form and return to Dave@medinavelleycentre.org.uk.  For further information please contact via email or phone on 01983 522 195