Trainee Outdoor Education Instructor

Position Overview

Trainee Outdoor Education Instructor (Climbing)

Location: Cambridge

Salary: £28,000 per annum

Vacancy Type: Permanent, Full Time

Closing Date: 10th November 2025

The Perse School Cambridge is one of the country’s leading independent co‑educational day schools for children aged 3‑18. The school aims to be a leading employer of choice, offering competitive salary and benefits, along with opportunities for personal and professional development. The role is designed for those who would like to take up a career in climbing/outdoor instruction. You will be supported by an experienced team of staff and provided with support and training to become a skilled instructor of indoor climbing.

Much of the postholder’s delivery will be conducted in the state‑of‑the‑art climbing wall, the largest roped wall within 50 miles of Cambridge. Instruction is varied, including taster sessions, birthday parties, structured school physical education lessons and clubs, bespoke coaching, and the National Indoor Climbing Association Scheme (NICAS). The role is offered as a permanent full‑time contract. The postholder will have full involvement across the breadth of Outdoor Education provision at The Perse. They will work across PES provision, games programme delivery, extra‑curricular clubs and climbing provision. The role is divided between training, activity instruction, administration tasks and commercial delivery. This includes holiday delivery, trips, weekend sessions and term‑time programme delivery.

The postholder will be provided with financial support towards relevant national governing body training and award schemes. In year 1, this will likely include the Mountain Training Climbing Wall Instructor Award and British Mountaineering Council FUNDAS courses. For candidates already holding these awards, higher level training courses will be offered.

Responsibilities

• Instruction of climbing activities including bottom rope, top rope, autobelay and lead climbing. General instruction of balance skills, abseiling and physical training.
• Delivery of climbing games sessions and extra‑curricular clubs for Perse pupils, including three annual trips.
• Delivery of the commercial climbing programme, including birthday parties/events and supervision of public climbers.
• Assist in the delivery of Perse Exploration Society sessions and extra‑curricular clubs.
• Delivery of outdoor education sessions in support of the wider programme.
• Regular route setting and holds cleaning (training provided).
• Daily and weekly climbing wall and PPE inspections (training provided).
• General cleaning duties, setup and clear away of equipment.
• Updating NICAS award logbooks.
• Attend and contribute to weekly departmental meetings and training.
• Work towards the completion of the Climbing Wall Instructor Award, Climbing Wall Development Instructor Award and Abseil Module, and Rock Climbing Instructor Award (if not already held).

Skills and Qualifications

• Be able to demonstrate flexibility and skill when working in a busy school and department.
• Excellent organisational, inter‑personal and communication skills.
• Effectively manage commitments and deadlines.
• Up‑to‑date knowledge of relevant legislation and guidance in relation to working with, and the protection of, children and young people.
• Ability to work collaboratively and supportively with colleagues within school and with colleagues in other organisations.
• Ability to work effectively both as part of a team and independently.

Additional Information

Seniority Level: Internship
Employment Type: Full‑time