Farm School Leader

An exciting new opportunity has arisen for a Farm School Leader to join our amazing charity,
which exists to remove the barriers that prevent children and young people from having
meaningful access to the natural world. Through a week on one of our three heritage farms,
children and young people experience increased learning and engagement, improved connections
and wellbeing and leave us with an enhanced sense of environmental citizenship.

Visiting children are immersed in the natural world of the countryside through a food and
farming offer that allows them to participate in the seasonal tasks of the day: sowing,
growing, and harvesting in our kitchen gardens; caring for livestock and looking after the
land; and cooking up a home-grown feast in the farmhouse kitchen. Spending time working
alongside real farmers fosters children’s independence and helps them to grow in confidence,
develops their self-esteem and encourages them to become more resilient.

In partnership with commercial farming neighbours, children experience the benefits of
collaboration, enjoy plenty of physical activity, good food and fresh air, and discover the
magical rural environment that is full of new words, sounds and experiences to inspire their
creativity. In term time we welcome school groups to the farms and work with a wide range of
diverse beneficiary groups outside of term time.

About the Role

This is a hands-on role. The successful candidate is responsible for leading engaging
‘countryside, food and farming’ sessions for groups of up to 39 children, and their
accompanying adults, at our farm in South Wales, Lower Treginnis. As comfortable in wellies
mucking out livestock as engaging with visiting children and teachers, this role requires a
can-do attitude, endless positivity and enthusiasm, and a genuine passion for supporting
children and young people to access the benefits of countryside life. You will work closely
with the farm management team to inform the development of appropriate children’s activity
sessions, and, where relevant, share specialist knowledge and skills with the whole team. On a
daily basis you will deliver children’s countryside, food, and farming sessions and undertake
routine farming tasks and basic maintenance as required.

About you

You are passionate about outdoor learning with professional experience with KS2/KS3 children in
an outdoor setting. You will be able to create and deliver engaging learning experiences and
have experience of safe working practices in outdoor settings. With a strong understanding of
and proud advocate for diversity and inclusion, this role requires an engaging communicator
with the ability to connect with children of all ages. You will be self-driven, with the
ability to plan, prioritise, manage time effectively and work effectively as a team player that
is willing to be flexible and support in all areas of the charity’s operations.

This position is a farm-based role that will require only very occasional travel within the
Charity’s regions in order to attend training or meetings, which normally take place at one of
our other two farms in Devon or Gloucestershire.

Appointments will not be confirmed until the Charity has received two satisfactory professional
references, evidence of the existing proof of right to work in the UK, and a satisfactory DBS
check. Referees will not be contacted without candidates’ prior consent.

Farms for City Children is, and must be, unconditionally committed to safeguarding best
practice and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and
volunteers to share this commitment. Consequently, successful candidates will be subject to a
Social Media check and a DBS check at the appropriate level. Employment with the Charity is
conditional upon the Charity being satisfied with the result of the DBS Check. Successful
candidates will be asked to complete a self-declaration related to their criminal record or any
information that would make them unsuitable to work with children. If you have lived or worked
outside of the UK, additional information may be required from you to satisfy safer recruitment
checks. Any criminal records information that is disclosed to the Charity will be handled in
accordance with any guidance and/or code of practice published by the DBS.

Farms for City Children is committed to promoting equality, diversity and inclusivity and
supports and encourages under-represented groups. We seek people from a wide range of
backgrounds, with diverse lived experience, and we welcome applications from all sections of
the community.

What we Offer

In return you will receive a starting salary of £22,000 pro rata and a range of benefits, which
include:

• 25 days holiday plus 8 statutory bank holidays pro rata
• 6% employer contribution to NEST pension scheme
• Employee Assistance Programme

How to Apply

Deadline for applications is midday on Monday 29 January 2024

To apply please download and fill out our application form, once completed send
to [email protected].
You may also wish to complete and return our equal opportunities monitoring form.

NO AGENCIES PLEASE – DIRECT RECRUITMENT ONLY