Lead Senior Instructor

Salary up to £26,000 plus benefits.

From woods to coast to mountains, Active Learning Centres are dedicated to helping young people develop essential skills and character, and to promote wellbeing through outdoor learning. Cuffley Active Learning Centre (ALC) is set in 90 acres of outstanding natural beauty in south-east Hertfordshire, just 15 minutes from the M25. The predominantly woodland site offers a blend of multi-activity and environmentally-focused residential and day courses, which are designed to promote the development of Essential Skills, Character and Wellbeing.

Cuffley ALC provides outdoor learning experiences for children aged 4 – 18, with a wide range of bespoke educational and hands-on school trips. We work closely with schools prior to their travel to ensure that each itinerary meets the needs of the visiting students and teachers.

About the Role

Fixed Term Contract, with a 1-month probation with potential opportunities at the end of contract. Predominantly Monday to Friday with occasional weekend work. Must be available to attend a training and assessment course starting in April 2025. No qualifications are required for this role; however, previous experience of working within a similar role and with children is essential. All applicants will complete a comprehensive training programme in conjunction with our mentoring scheme upon arrival to Cuffley.

Requirements:

• Experience in land-based activities to include Low Ropes, Orienteering, Problem-Solving, Team Building, and Initiative Exercises.
• Understanding of the Health & Safety issues required in a busy Outdoor Education and Adventure Residential Centre.
• Ability to work as part of a team and on your own initiative.
• Willingness to develop their own capabilities and qualifications.
• A high level of interpersonal skills and team values.
• Good communicator.

Responsibilities:

• Supporting the Chief Instructor & Programmes Manager in implementing staff training and monitoring performance.
• Management of Kit Stores, including the upkeep of Activities Kit, ensuring regular checks are complete and logging any relevant information/changes.
• Overseeing Arrivals & Departures alongside the Senior Leadership Team, delegating roles to staff ensuring that procedures are followed, and guests/visitors/staff are kept safe.
• Overseeing both residential and day visit groups to ensure Senior & Outdoor Instructors are delivering quality and consistent activities to the policies and procedures.
• Reporting directly to the Chief Instructor & Programmes Manager, keeping them informed of daily events with groups, activity equipment, and Instructors.
• Facilitating sessions to a high quality as needed and to be shadowed by new and existing staff as part of the development process.
• Being a point of contact for first aid incidents within their ability and the Senior Leadership Team with other incidents.
• Rotational Senior Night Duties.
• Ensuring that the Instructing Team are performing regular dynamic risk assessments and following Active Learning Centre's risk assessments and SOPs.
• Monitoring the upkeep of site and guest accommodation is kept to a high standard prior, throughout, and after the duration of their stay.

But that’s just the start of your ALC career journey – with our stunning portfolio of woodland, coastal, and mountain Active Learning Centres, we aim to give successful staff a pathway to gain National Governing Body Awards and the opportunity to build a career that offers immense satisfaction and achievement. Training courses in water-based activities, mountain activities, facilitation, and other facets of outdoor education will enable you to progress your career in the outdoors either with Cuffley ALC or at one of our amazing centres in Wales.

Training and Development:

• Progression plan informed using customer and observation KPIs with CPD sessions to help you achieve.
• Enhanced Safeguarding Training.
• Level 2 Food Hygiene & Safety Qualification.
• External First Aid Qualification.
• Access to Online Training Modules.
• Full induction and training plan.
• Progression opportunities across multi-discipline centres.
• Potential to earn qualifications while with ALC, these may include: Archery GB, British Orienteering, and others.

Package:

• Earn up to £26,000.
• Accommodation package offered.
• Free meals whilst working.
• Uniform provided.

The Active Learning Group and its brands are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people, and an expectation of this role is to share this commitment. Safer recruitment practice and pre-employment background checks will be undertaken before any appointment is confirmed. Appointment is subject to an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check and satisfactory references. We reserve the right to conduct online searches where relevant.

At The Active Learning Group, we believe in providing an environment that recognises the values of people’s differences/individuality, and benefits from the unique strengths that these differences bring to our organisation. This commitment promotes respect and equal treatment for all persons regardless of age, disability, gender, ethnicity, marital or civil partnership, nationality, race, religion or belief, sex, and sexual orientation. We insist that this respect is applied in every aspect of our business and in how we conduct ourselves, under the Equality Act 2010.