Outdoor Learning Officer (Schools)

The Ernest Cook Trust is an educational charity and one of the UK’s foremost providers and funders of Outdoor Learning. Our vision is for an environmentally engaged society with better connections to nature. 

Our mission is to improve life chances of children and young people through a range of Outdoor Learning experiences, enabling them to learn from nature, empowering them to have a positive impact on the environment. We do this through grant support, direct delivery, research and advocacy. This new role is a great opportunity to play an important part in creating and facilitating Outdoor Learning experiences in Cumbria. 

The Role

The Outdoor Learning Officer role involves collaborating with schools, families
and young people, integrating Outdoor Learning into their curricula and providing opportunities for
positive experiences in natural environments. With a focus on children and young people in
underserved groups and those most in need of support, you will be responsible for the planning and
delivery of our Schools offer to ensure the success of Outdoor Learning programmes in the
Cumbria/Lancashire Hub area.

Key Responsibilities:

Planning:

• Evaluate sites in Cumbria for learning potential by engaging with landowners, schools and
  outdoor education providers, to identify specific interests, barriers to involvement,
  curriculum links and non-curriculum opportunities.
• Build a network among schools, aligning their needs with the Trust’s programmes.

 Collaboration and Programme Delivery:

•  Develop a bespoke Outdoor Learning offer to schools, considering various factors such as
  catchment area, size and type of groups, use of resources and landscape.
• Plan and deliver Outdoor Learning sessions for eligible schools, devising activities and
  developing appropriate learning resources for each session and agreed outcome, in line with
  risk assessments, Health & Safety policies and safeguarding considerations.
•  Work with organisations, teachers, and leaders for effective delivery of programmes.
• Contribute to impact assessments through data collection, observations, and evaluation
  paperwork.
• Coordinate with other Outdoor Learning Officers for collaboration with each other and local
  networks.

Development and Promotion:

• Support the development of our site at Low Beckside Farm as a venue for high-quality school
  learning.
• Assist Learning Operations Lead in establishing and maintaining key relationships and
  projects and promoting Outdoor Learning programmes by attending relevant events.
• Contribute to the development of the Trust through engagement with grantees/beneficiaries
  in Cumbria and facilitation of the Trust’s Outdoor Practitioners’ Education Network (OPEN)
  meetings, and explore opportunities for collaborative efforts.
• Participate in the development of learning policies and procedures, including risk
  assessments, Health & Safety protocols, training needs, and safeguarding.

Main priorities:

• Establish strong relationships with schools, communities, and partners.
• Coach and encourage staff and participants to support their self-confidence, knowledge, and
  skill development.
• Provide comprehensive support to high-priority schools.
• Support schools in embedding Outdoor Learning into their curriculum and practice.
• Offer hands-on Outdoor Learning opportunities for school groups, reaching specific
  settings.
• Provide tailored support to schools (without charges), breaking down barriers to Outdoor
  Learning participation.
• Utilise the Trust’s Outdoor Learning Sites for inspiring Outdoor Learning experiences.

Person Specification:
Specific Requirements 

• Teaching qualification or equivalent experience.
• Experience of leading environmental visits.
• Experience in supporting wellbeing, personal development and social skills through Outdoor
  Learning.
• Knowledge of Safeguarding. 
• Full, clean driving licence. 

General 

• There will be some requirement to travel to locations across the UK that aren’t accessible
  by public transport, and occasional overnight duties on residential visits. 

Working at The Ernest Cook Trust

ABOUT US

As a land owning
educational charity, the Trust is uniquely placed to share its woodlands, farms and natural
habitats to help create a diverse outdoors where people and places flourish. 

We are part of an impressive community of networks and organisations across the UK, working to help create a more environmentally engaged society. Our work is increasingly done in collaborations and partnerships, particularly with our funding partners, whose contribution significantly boosts the scale and reach of our work. 

To discover more about The Ernest Cook Trust, visit our website www.ernestcooktrust.org.uk.

OUR SCHOOLS PROGRAMME

Our Schools Programmes offer long-term support to the
schools who need this most. We do not charge for our service and are constantly working to break
down barriers to participation in Outdoor Learning.

 We offer a targeted programme of support, individually designed for each school, based on a needs analysis and conversations with staff. This will follow one of two pathways:

Foundations for Outdoor Learning
This programme is a comprehensive, long-term support package for schools wanting to embed Outdoor Learning into their curriculum and practice. Support may include teacher CPD, mentoring, and advice on how to optimise use of your school grounds. We do this on your school site, with some supported visits to local green spaces and our own learning locations.

Enriching Education
This programme uses The Ernest Cook Trust’s own learning locations – woodlands, farms, rivers and other natural landscapes – together with our Outdoor Learning leaders to support a school’s Outdoor Learning provision. This may be a school’s first experience of Outdoor Learning, or it may enhance and extend existing programmes. Either way, we aim to inspire all participants to spend more time outdoors.

BENEFITS

Join our friendly team at the Trust for a friendly and rewarding experience. We offer
competitive salaries, a range of benefits plus a training budget for your personal growth.

Enjoy our generous benefits:

• 10% employer pension contribution (5% from employees)
• 27 days annual leave, plus statutory holidays
• Life Assurance
• Access to Employee Assistance Programme, providing 24/7 support for health, mental wellbeing,
  and more
• Dynamic, creative, and welcoming work environment.

Working for us will involve wellies, because we firmly believe that everything is better
outdoors!

RECRUITMENT PROCESS

1st Interviews

Monday 25 March 2024, online via Microsoft Teams

2nd Interviews

Tuesday 2 April 2024, Low Beckside Farm, Mungrisdale CA11 0XR

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Applications strictly by application form only

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

Embracing diversity is an essential part of the work of The Ernest Cook Trust. We are committed to treating everyone as a unique individual, fairly and with respect, irrespective of race, disability, age, gender, marital status, sexual orientation, or religion. We are committed to ensuring equality, respect, and safety for all, and prioritising the wellbeing of the children, young people and vulnerable adults we support. Our safeguarding policy can be found here.

The appointment will be subject to satisfactory background checks including Disclosure and
Barring Service and relevant online searches to comply with best practices in Safeguarding, and
proof of the right to work in the UK.