Head of Outdoor Education / DofE Manager / Teacher of Games

Worksop College and Ranby House; one community set across two schools - educating children from age two to eighteen. We're proud of being a broad-ability school with a focus firmly on progress, recognising that every child has their own set of skills and abilities, whether it be academic, sporting, musical or otherwise. We believe that education is about more than the flight towards academic success, but about human flourishing. We want our students to be the very best version of themselves. If they are destined to attend an established University, here is where they will flourish, or if they are an outstanding sportsperson, here is where they will hone their skills. Perhaps they are a talented artist or musician, here is where they’d perfect their craft, but if these talents are yet to be revealed, here is where they’ll be discovered. We are a remarkable school, in a stunning setting, with exceptional facilities and a talented teaching staff. At our school, what matters is the individual, their aspirations and their future.

To lead and develop the School’s outdoor education provision, including the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award (DofE), while contributing to the wider games and co-curricular programme. The role will provide opportunities for pupils to develop resilience, leadership, teamwork, independence and a sense of adventure.

We are also recruiting for a CCF Contingent Commander position. There may be scope for the successful candidate to undertake both roles as a combined full-time appointment, subject to experience and suitability. If you would like to be considered for this option, please indicate this clearly in your application. The ability to coach Games and/or offer an academic subject would be an advantage.

The anticipated start date for this position is January 2027; however, we would welcome applications from candidates who are available to start in February/April 2027.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead, manage and develop the School’s Outdoor Education and DofE programmes.
• Coordinate and administer all aspects of the DofE Award, including training, expeditions, staffing, assessment and liaison with external providers.
• Plan and deliver high-quality outdoor education activities and experiences appropriate to pupils’ age and ability.
• Contribute to the School’s games and sporting programme through high-quality teaching and coaching.
• Support the wider co-curricular and enrichment programme of the School.
• Ensure all activities are delivered with appropriate safeguarding, health and safety, risk assessment and operational procedures.
• Recruit, support and coordinate staff and volunteers involved in outdoor education and DofE activities.
• Develop participation and opportunities for pupils, encouraging ambition, independence and personal development.
• Manage relevant equipment, resources, budgets and administrative requirements effectively.
• Work closely with colleagues, parents, external organisations and school leadership to ensure a well-integrated programme.

Pastoral Care

In addition to the academic role, every teacher is expected to play a full role in the life of the School outside the classroom and is attached to one of the boarding or day houses. This Job Description covers the main duties and responsibilities of the role. The role holder may be asked to carry out other activities commensurate with this Job Description from time to time.

Additional Responsibilities

Successful candidates will be expected to undertake such additional responsibilities as may, from time to time, be considered to be reasonable and required by the Headmaster.

Other Matters

You will be required to carry out other duties as may be commensurate with the post which do not change the character or purpose of the post which are necessary to maintain high standards of business practice. This job description therefore may be altered from time to time to meet the changing needs of the School.

Health and Safety

The School is committed to ensuring the Health and Safety of all who learn, work, live and visit the School. You must take reasonable care for your own health and safety and that of other persons who may be affected by your activities. All safety instructions must be obeyed and the required training undertaken. All accidents and near misses must be reported and recorded within the Accident Book available on both sites.

Statutory requirements & equal opportunities

Safeguarding & Child Protection

For this post applicants must be willing to undergo child protection screening, including, but not limited to, reference checks with previous employers, online searches, prohibition checks and a criminal record check via the Applicants Disclosure and Barring Service (including Barred List Check). All offers of employment are conditional upon the satisfactory outcome of child protection screening checks.

Disclosures

We will appoint, train, develop and promote on the basis of merit and ability alone. It is a stipulation of the Governors and a statutory requirement that members of staff appointed to Worksop College should be shown not to have any criminal record, which might prevent them accepting a post at the College. Accordingly, the College requires permission from all members of staff to make an appropriate investigation. Offers of employment are subject to a satisfactory outcome of this enquiry.

The post is exempt from the Rehabilitations of Offenders Act 1974 and the School is therefore permitted to ask job applicants to declare all convictions and cautions (including those which are “spent” unless they are “protected” under the DBS filtering rules) in order to assess their suitability to work with children.

Equal Opportunities

Worksop College is an equal opportunities employer and is committed to a policy of treating all our employees and job applicants equally. It is our policy to take all reasonable steps to employ and promote employees on the basis of their abilities and qualifications without regard to age, disability, sex, gender reassignment, pregnancy, maternity, marital or civil partnership status, race (which includes colour, nationality and ethnic or national origins), sexual orientation, trade union membership, religion or belief.

Working at Worksop and Ranby House is as much about a lifestyle choice as it is about pursuing a satisfying career path. We have high expectations of our staff and reward with an attractive benefits package, which includes:

• Fee concessions for your children
• Workplace pension scheme
• Access to gym, sports hall and swimming pool
• Free meals provided when on duty
• Free onsite parking

• Mountain Leader, Walking Group Leader or other relevant outdoor education qualifications.
• Experience of leading DofE at a senior level within an independent school.
• Experience or qualifications within the CCF, with the potential to undertake the role of CCF Contingent Commander.
• Experience of developing and expanding outdoor education provision within a school.

Qualifications & Experience

• Relevant qualifications and/or significant experience in outdoor education, DofE and expedition leadership.
• Appropriate DofE qualifications and experience to manage and deliver the Award within an independent school setting.
• Experience of planning and leading outdoor activities and residential/expedition programmes.
• Experience of teaching or coaching games/sport, with the ability to contribute effectively to the School’s wider sporting provision.
• Strong understanding of safeguarding, risk management, health and safety and the operational requirements of outdoor education.
• Excellent organisational, leadership and communication skills.
• Ability to inspire and engage pupils of a range of ages and abilities.