At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and organise exciting activities for students in a vibrant summer school environment.
- Company: Join Bucksmore Education, a leader in summer programmes with 40 years of experience.
- Benefits: Earn competitive weekly pay, enjoy full board accommodation, and receive training.
- Why this job: Make unforgettable memories while developing leadership skills and fostering international friendships.
- Qualifications: Experience in managing activities for young people and excellent communication skills required.
- Other info: Work in beautiful locations like London, Brighton, Oxford, and Cambridge.
Bucksmore Education is full of history and tradition, but also of originality and challenge. With 40 years of experience to perfect and improve the quality of our prestigious summer schools, we are proud of the summer programmes we offer. It is our goal to support every student towards achieving their goals, in a safe and positive learning environment, whether this is building on their language skills, developing fundamental 21st century leadership skills and a global mindset or studying at a top UK boarding school or university.
The summer school was modelled on American summer camps, with ‘Counsellors’ who live with students, teach lessons and lead excursions and activities, providing a higher level of pastoral care, guidance, and friendship – giving students more than just ‘teachers’ and ‘activity leaders’ at a summer school.
Working in summer schools is a rewarding experience for both students and staff, and Bucksmore aims to make our courses ones that our students never forget. The Bucksmore philosophy is for students to mix with their fellow students and staff wherever possible to make their time with us a rich and genuinely international cultural experience.
Main Duties And Responsibilities
The position of Activity Manager (AM) is a highly responsible and challenging role, suitable only for those with excellent leadership, communication, time management and organisational skills. The AM’s chief role is to plan and organise the activity programme and effectively manage the Counsellors involved in each activity. The AM will ensure that each activity is prepared, implemented and correctly supervised as set out by the Bucksmore Head Office. As one of the senior managers the AM will work closely with the Centre Manager and Director of Studies to ensure the smooth day to day running of the centre.
- Attend the staff induction and take part in all Health and Safety related training
- Write and consult the risk assessment for an activity or excursion
- Plan, organise and implement a range of appropriate activities during daytimes, afternoons and evenings
- Take responsibility for excursions, ensuring you have planned sufficiently well to guide the students effectively
- Research an excursion destination so as to be able to guide students effectively by leading and guiding students when on excursions and guided walking tours, communicating with them in a way that is clear, informative and engaging
- Ensure that activities and excursions you are running are structured, inclusive and appropriately resourced
- Help promote the activity programme to students by displaying posters or visiting classes
- Co-manage and motivate a team of residential and sometimes non-residential staff
- Lead regular team meetings to inform Counsellors of their tasks related to the activity and excursion programme
- Monitor the performance of Counsellors and contribute towards staff appraisals
- Assist the Course Director with planning the weekly staff rota
- Represent Bucksmore as centre management and liaise with host college staff
- Manage a weekly budget
- Keep accurate records of budget spending and send to Head Office weekly
- Plan each week’s timetable before the start of the week and send to Head Office in advance to allow time for authorisation
- Supervise students during meal times
- Where required assist with student transfers to and from airports as directed by the Course Director
- Where required, as part of your rota, perform waking up duties and ‘lights out’ duties
- Attend staff meetings as required
- Respond to general emergencies at all times
- Maintain proper levels of student discipline, safety and welfare
- Carry out any other reasonable task assigned to you by a manager to meet the operational demands of a centre
- Assist the Centre Manager with the set-up, shut-down and day-to-day running of the centre
Person Specification
Legal Requirement: All applicants must have the eligibility to work in the UK prior to commencing employment.
- Native or native level English speaker
- Experience of working in a language and activity based summer school or similar environment
- Experience of organising activity programmes and/or events for young people
- Experience of managing in a summer school or residential course environment
Salaries And Benefits
- Band A £793.50 a week including holiday
- Band B £737.46 a week including holiday pay
- Band C £681.43 a week including holiday pay
Training and senior staff induction is provided prior to the start of a centre opening. All positions are residential, accommodation and full board meals are provided. Successful candidates will be required to complete an Enhanced DBS check and a police check if you reside outside the UK. You will also need to provide proof of identity, such as a passport or driving licence, for our records. Bucksmore will cover the upfront cost of the Enhanced DBS check and the DBS Update Service subscription. 50% of the total cost will be reclaimed from your first pay run. If you return to work with us in subsequent years, you must maintain your Update Service subscription. Failure to do so will mean you are responsible for the full cost of a new Enhanced DBS check.
At Nord Anglia Education we are committed to providing a world class, safe, happy environment in which children and young people can thrive and learn. We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all our pupils where we embrace all race, abilities, religions, genders, and cultures.
All post holders in regulated activity (having regular unsupervised contact with children) are subject to appropriate national and international vetting procedures including satisfactory criminal record checks from both your country of residence/birth and any country of residence within the last 10 years.
We welcome applications from suitable qualified persons from all diverse backgrounds. Please note, only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
Summer 2026 Activity Manager in Harrow on the Hill employer: Nord Anglia Education
Contact Detail:
Nord Anglia Education Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Summer 2026 Activity Manager in Harrow on the Hill
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the company culture! Before your interview, do a bit of digging into Bucksmore's values and what makes them tick. This way, you can tailor your answers to show how you fit right in with their vibe.
✨Tip Number 2
Practice makes perfect! Grab a mate and run through some common interview questions. This will help you feel more confident and articulate when it’s your turn to shine in front of the interview panel.
✨Tip Number 3
Show off your leadership skills! As an Activity Manager, you'll need to demonstrate your ability to lead and motivate a team. Think of examples from your past experiences where you've successfully managed a group or organised an event.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to follow up! After your interview, drop a quick thank-you email to express your appreciation for the opportunity. It shows you're keen and keeps you fresh in their minds as they make their decision.
We think you need these skills to ace Summer 2026 Activity Manager in Harrow on the Hill
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion: When writing your application, let your enthusiasm for working with young people and leading activities shine through. We want to see that you’re genuinely excited about the role and the impact you can have on students' experiences.
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your application to highlight relevant experience in managing activities or working in summer schools. We love seeing how your background aligns with our values and the specific responsibilities of the Activity Manager role.
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your writing straightforward and to the point. We appreciate clarity, so avoid jargon and make sure your skills and experiences are easy to understand. This will help us get a good sense of who you are and what you bring to the table.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it makes the whole process smoother for everyone involved.
How to prepare for a job interview at Nord Anglia Education
✨Know Your Stuff
Before the interview, dive deep into Bucksmore's philosophy and summer programmes. Familiarise yourself with their approach to student engagement and pastoral care. This will help you demonstrate your understanding of their values and how you can contribute as an Activity Manager.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As an Activity Manager, you'll need to lead a team effectively. Prepare examples from your past experiences where you've successfully managed teams or organised activities. Highlight your communication and organisational skills, as these are crucial for the role.
✨Plan for Activities and Excursions
Think about some creative and engaging activity ideas you could implement during the summer programme. Be ready to discuss how you would plan and execute these activities, ensuring they are inclusive and well-resourced. This shows your proactive approach and readiness for the role.
✨Ask Thoughtful Questions
At the end of the interview, have a few insightful questions prepared. Inquire about the challenges faced by previous Activity Managers or how success is measured in this role. This not only shows your interest but also helps you gauge if the position aligns with your career goals.