Head of Outdoor Education

The Grange School in Hartford, Cheshire is seeking to recruit a Head of Outdoor Education on a part time,  permanent basis working 3 days per week, term time only plus an additional 55 days for Duke of Edinburgh and Outdoor Education activities and expeditions.

As a school we value the positive impact that outdoor education can have upon students, and we are keen that all get the opportunity to experience these benefits. Students can take up opportunities as part of our regular enrichment programme but we also undertake outdoor education with Years 7-10 as part of our summer term activity days. Further to this, virtually all our students undertake the Bronze Duke of Edinburgh Award with sizeable cohorts going on to further their skills at Silver and Gold. The Duke of Edinburgh programme features a range of school-led expeditions, including the Peak District and Lake District whilst both domestic and international trips have featured at Gold level. We believe that outdoor education can teach many skills that are trickier to impart as readily in the classroom but also allows other transferrable skills (such as leadership, resilience and independence) to thrive.   

The Role

The successful candidate will lead the delivery of outdoor education at The Grange School and will have experience in offering such provision. They will relish giving pupils the opportunity to experience the natural world and outdoor activities including the Duke of Edinburgh Award, climbing, and wider dedicated team building activities. 

The role is three days a week, to be taken on a regular schedule but at a mutually convenient time. The additional 55 days are to cover Duke of Edinburgh and Outdoor Education activities, including trips and expeditions. The nature of these trips and expeditions is that these are likely to be weekends and during the school holidays.

Working with numerous staff, external instructors and volunteers the post holder will develop and deliver a strategy for a school wide programme of activities. The successful candidate will organise and manage our outdoor education provision and take responsibility for the school’s Duke of Edinburgh scheme. As part of this strategy, we would want the successful candidate to work with the Physical Education department to offer outdoor education opportunities within timetabled Games sessions. 

The post holder will be the first contact for students and parents regarding all outdoor education queries. They will be responsible for timely and accurate communication that promotes outdoor education to all relevant parties including staff, pupils, parents, the Senior Leadership Team (SLT) and external partners and agencies.

Responsibilities

Key responsibilities of the role will include, but not be limited to the following:

Outdoor Education 

• Within outdoor education, promotion of an inspirational culture of engagement, challenge, self-reliance and enjoyment amongst participants and staff alike.
• Responsibility for the school’s Outdoor Education provision to ensure a range of activities across The Grange and a coherent 11-18 programme.
• Promotion of learning outside of the classroom opportunities with the wider staff body.
• Oversight of and promotion of the use of for the climbing wall, low ropes course and outside classroom (in conjunction with the Estates Manager).
• Organise (in liaison with SLT and other staff) appropriate outdoor educational visits for students in Years 7 to Sixth Form.
• Support other staff in the planning and delivery of outdoor education provision. This currently includes a Year 7 induction trip to North Yorkshire and our activity days programme.
• Managing the finances of Outdoor Education, including D of E.

Duke of Edinburgh’s Award (D of E)

• Promote the ethos, purpose and standards of the Award and the School, for the benefit of the Award and its participants.
• Lead The Grange’s D of E scheme for both staff and participants to ensure its continued prosperity and development whilst reviewing best practice.
• Run all sections of the award, with support from other members of staff.
• Recruit and work with a team of staff volunteers to facilitate their involvement in the scheme. Organise and run staff development sessions to support this. 
• Enrol all participants and undertake the administration for pupils on the scheme, using the e D of E programme.
• Act as the primary contact for staff, students, parents and external organisations for D of E.
• Maintaining the relationship with The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award organisation and the school’s status as a D of E Operating Authority (Licensed Organisation):
• Having an annual review with the DofE North West Operations Officer 
• Attending and contributing to North West DofE Manager meetings and communications. 
• Organising the payment of the annual licence fee. 
• Publish clear schedules and reference material (checklists etc) to all involved in D of E, including information evening(s) for parents.
• Lead all Duke of Edinburgh expeditions (training, practice and assessed):

                   o Bronze – currently 3 expeditions

                   o Silver – currently 3 expeditions

                   o Gold – currently 2 expeditions

• Work with participants to ensure that they can complete their award in a timely fashion. This includes oversight of the planning of Gold expeditions for individual groups.
• Keep parents informed of the progress of students through the Duke of Edinburgh Award.
• Ensure accurate submissions for the e D of E profiles for Grange school students.
• Work with external providers to ensure efficient organisation of expeditions and employment of suitably qualified instructors.

Enrichment Responsibilities

• Participation in the enrichment programme to offer outdoor education opportunities to students in all year groups.
• Encouraging the involvement of teaching staff, non-teaching staff and volunteers in outdoor education.

Health & Safety

• Ensure all Outdoor Educational visits, including Duke of Edinburgh expeditions are conducted in line with relevant health and safety guidelines and legislation and in line with the School’s policies and procedures, including those covering trips and visits, safeguarding and data protection.
• Run the D of E kit store and climbing equipment to ensure that all kit is ready as needed and meets health and safety standards.
• Promotion of outdoor education with other staff and ensure appropriate training.
• Liaise with Estates Manager for annual inspection of the Climbing Wall and Low Ropes Course.
• Liaise with estates to ensure the grounds of the Outdoor Classroom are maintained.

Other Key Responsibilities

• Ensure mechanisms for celebrating the successes of our pupils in Outdoor Education, including the presentation of Grange D of E Award. 
• Contribute to the School’s ongoing newsfeeds and marketing. 
• Attendance of School open events.
• Attendance of staff meetings and staff training, as required.