Outdoor Centre Manager
Abbotsholme School
Derbyshire
- £35,000 per year
- Expired
- Job type:
- Full Time, Permanent
- Start date:
- ASAP
- Apply by:
- 12 April 2024
Job overview
Abbotsholme is a co-educational, boarding and day school set in a large, beautiful estate on the Staffordshire/Derbyshire border. We are committed to a holistic philosophy of education, striving to nurture and develop pupils’ strengths and abilities through excellence in academic studies, superb pastoral care and a unique and broad-ranging extra-curricular programme.
An exciting opportunity exists for a proven professional to join our vibrant team. Ideally with experience in a similar role, The Outdoor Centre Manager will hold principal responsibility for the day to day operations of our outdoor activities.
There are ample Outdoor Education facilities and resources on site. These include fleets of kayaks and canoes, mountain bikes, a comprehensive stocks of camping and bush craft equipment, a permanent orienteering course, and an indoor climbing wall. Part of this role will be to check and maintain this equipment and facilities to ensure it is safe to use on activities.
The Outdoor Education programme is integral to the school’s values. The Outdoor Centre Manager will also be capable to provide inspirational leadership of Outdoor Education, organising and sharing in the delivery of a unique and large-scale programme of outdoor activities, within the school curriculum and beyond, including timetabled lessons, D of E Award expedition training, weekend trips and international expeditions.
Key Responsibilities
· Manage the Abbotsholme Outdoor Centre and resources
· Have a clear focus on creating an excellent experience for everyone who visits and uses the centre internally and externally
· Be able to teach and coach a range of adventure activities based on a good range of qualification to both students and colleagues at the school and also externally
· Assist in the delivery of our BTEC Outdoor Education curriculum alongside our teaching staff
· Ensure that all activities are carried out legally and conform to best practice
· Oversee and where required, implement systems and procedures to meet standards required by Health & Safety and other legislation
· Manage day-to-day operations and ensure a high standard of operation
· Provide regular progress reports to the Bursar and Headmistress and evaluate the delivery on an on-going basis
· Monitor and control finances, ensuring that all related financial administration is undertaken efficiently
Person Specification (E = Essential Criteria; D = Desirable Criteria) Knowledge
· Extensive knowledge of outdoor learning and activity centres (E)
· Good knowledge of AALA requirements (E)
· Good knowledge of NGB requirements (E)
· Good understanding of Health & Safety in relation to adventurous activities, site and building management (E)
· Good knowledge of Safeguarding when working with children and vulnerable people (E)
· Be prepared for part of their work to be at weekends and in school holiday time (E)
Skills and Experience
· Experience of working at an outdoor education centre or equivalent (E)
· Proven track record of managing and improving customer relations (E)
· Proven track record of meeting income targets within budget (D)
· Good communications skills (E)
· Ability to work, plan and prioritise under pressure (E)
· A current driving licence (preferably with D1 enhancement) (E)
· Good IT skills including proficiency in use of Microsoft applications such as Word, Excel etc (E)
Qualifications
· Management qualification (D)
· Relevant NGB qualifications (D)
· Education related qualification (e.g. Outdoor Learning; Learning for Sustainability) (E)
We can offer the successful candidate excellent benefits including a competitive salary, staff discount scheme for school fees, a well-resourced department, tailored CPD appropriate to the chosen individual and the opportunity to work in a beautiful rural estate. Accommodation may be available.
If you are an outstanding outdoor instructor/educator with the potential to lead a successful department, this is a fantastic opportunity to work in one of the most unique schools in the country.
Education - Bachelor's (preferred)
Salary - from £35,000 per annum
Work Location - In person
Application deadline – Friday 12th April
Expected start date – as soon as possible
To apply, please request a school application pack via recruit@abbotsholme.co.uk and submit it together with a cover letter outlining your suitability to the same address.
About Abbotsholme School
Abbotsholme School Vision
It is our firm belief that a good education is an essential preparation for the whole of life. An education at Abbotsholme provides not only the starting blocks but also the first few metres of life’s track.
Abbotsholme seeks to identify and develop the diversity of talent in each child. Our holistic approach to education ensures that we know the children well, enabling us to set individual targets to help them to achieve higher standards than they might have thought possible. We want all of our children not only to succeed – whatever their individual talents or abilities may be – but also to feel successful. We offer them challenges which will build strength and test courage, we provide them with a programme of cultural enrichment to widen their perspectives, we show them how to nurture and care for the environment and we teach them the importance of taking responsibility both for themselves and for others.
Although we are committed to helping all Abbotsholmians fulfil their academic potential, the measure of our success cannot be judged by scholarly achievements alone. Indeed, it is their development as people that must be seen as the ultimate test. In years to come, we would wish to know that they were happy with themselves and with their lives; we also would want them to be successful in their personal and professional endeavours whilst remaining sensitive to the needs of others.
All Abbotsholmians benefit from our ethos which teaches them to value honesty and integrity highly; it encourages, too, a sense of self-worth and of pride in their own achievements, whilst, in equal measure, celebrating the success of others.
Furthermore, it is our belief that whilst learning should be challenging, it should also be both stimulating and enjoyable. Abbotsholme provides a rich and rounded experience through its strong academic curriculum, its beautiful surroundings, its happy and supportive boarding environment, its working farm, its extensive range of sporting, artistic and outdoor activities, and through the wealth of opportunities provided by the Round Square organisation both at home and abroad.
Balance is the essence of our educational philosophy, where academic, personal and social development are given equal standing. Equipped with their Abbotsholme experiences, we believe that our young people will flourish, and we are proud that Abbotsholmians leave us as responsible and socially aware young men and women who are able to face an increasingly demanding world with confidence and with a zest for life.
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