Activity Leader

Summer Boarding Courses Limited; United Kingdom; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading educational organization seeks Activity Leaders to create supportive environments for students. Responsibilities include designing activities, ensuring safety during excursions, and maintaining student welfare. Ideal candidates should have experience leading groups of children, strong communication skills, and a genuine passion for youth engagement. The role includes accommodation and a weekly salary of £675. Training and support are provided, ensuring a professional and nurturing atmosphere for staff and students alike.

Benefits

Accommodation included

Extensive paid on-site training

Staff wellbeing initiatives

Qualifications

• Experience in leading or coaching groups of children in a professional capacity.
• Genuine enjoyment of working with children.
• Ability to take control of and lead a group of children.

Responsibilities

• Design, prepare and lead activities and events.
• Ensure safety of students during activities.
• Assist in the effective day-to-day running of the school.

Skills

Leadership

Strong communication skills

Flexibility

Empathy

Job description

The Role

Activity Leaders play a vital role in creating a safe, engaging and supportive environment for students during their time at the school. They design, prepare and lead a range of activities and events, accompany students on excursions, assist with transfers to and from airports, and ensure student safety at all times. Their responsibilities also include safeguarding, building positive yet professional relationships with students and maintaining vigilance around their welfare in accordance with all safeguarding policies.

Contract Dates

26/06/2026 – 20/07/2026

The Site

SBC at Eton College offers international students aged 12‑16 the opportunity to study at one of the world’s most prestigious schools. Founded in 1440, Eton College has a rich legacy, having educated 20 British Prime Ministers and numerous authors, scientists, actors, Olympians, and explorers. The historic campus provides an inspiring environment where students can immerse themselves in a setting that has shaped generations of leaders and visionaries.

Ways We Support Our Activity Leaders

• We cover the full cost of a new DBS (if required) for your first contract with SBC and encourage all staff to sign up for the Update Service.
• Extensive, paid, on‑site training prior to student arrival.
• Accommodation included.
• CPD and appraisals.
• Staff wellbeing initiative.
• Access to the Employee Assist Programme (EAP).
• Continual support from the Head Office Team, both on the ground and via phone/email.
• Online safeguarding and preventing training.
• Professional, fun and supportive environment.

Remuneration

The salary for the Activity Leader role is £675 per week (subject to tax and national insurance), paid weekly in arrears. This sum includes a holiday allowance of 12.07% of basic pay (£72.70). Board and accommodation at the summer site are also provided.

Working Hours

A normal working week for Activity Leaders will consist of up to 53 hours per week over six working days.

Main Duties

• Design, prepare and lead activities and events.
• Lead groups of students on excursions following the pre‑planned itinerary.
• Ensure that the students are safe at all times during an activity or on an excursion.
• Assist the management in the effective day‑to‑day running of the school.
• Be committed to the safeguarding and welfare of students in your care.
• Adhere to all health and safety measures (including COVID safety measures, risk assessments and other policies and procedures).
• Help with student transfers to and from the airport for any arrivals and departures.
• Be on‑call/overnight duty.

General Duties

The welfare of students is paramount to us. Every member of the team is expected to assist in maintaining the welfare and order within their boarding house.

• The allocated day’s house duty, including wake‑up, supervising students to, from and while in the houses, and supporting a welcoming and positive atmosphere in the boarding houses.
• Help transfer students to and from the airport when needed.
• Actively supervise and interact with students during meal and break times.
• Empower students to successfully engage in the programme while developing independence, confidence and social skills.
• Show a large degree of flexibility in all residential work.
• Help ensure that the students do not breach the rules of the school.
• Engage with the students at all times in a friendly but professional manner.
• Assist at any time, whether on duty or not, with an emergency situation.

Safeguarding Responsibilities

• Be committed to the safeguarding and welfare of students in your care.
• Attend on‑site safeguarding training during induction week.
• Carry out SBC’s safeguarding policy and ensure others do the same.
• Develop positive relationships with students, earning their trust whilst maintaining proper professional boundaries.
• Examples of inappropriate boundaries: Do not share personal information such as contact details or social media with students.
• Listen to students and be vigilant regarding potential indicators of abuse.
• Report any potential concerns to the school's Designated Safeguarding Officer.

About You

All members of staff employed by SBC are expected to bring certain key qualities to the operation. There must be a professional interest in working with young people and particularly international children. Safety and welfare of the students is paramount, and a practical enforcing of this belief should be exhibited by all staff.

We Look For Staff Who Are

• Approachable and empathic to the needs of students.
• Enthusiastic and engaging.
• Diplomatic, responsible and motivated.
• Flexible within the summer school environment.

Essential

• Experience in leading or coaching groups of children in a professional capacity.
• Experience of, and genuine enjoyment of working with children.
• Strong communication skills, ability to work under pressure, flexibility.
• Ability to take control of and lead a group of children on activities and during excursions.

Desirable

• Qualifications and experience in leading young people in tennis, dance, performing arts, music or arts & crafts.
• First Aid/Lifeguard qualification.
• Experience and qualifications in coaching other sports.
• Experience of residential international boarding.

About Us

Founded in 2008, Summer Boarding Courses (SBC) unite students from around the world through education. We deliver award‑winning, future‑focused courses that strike the perfect balance between academic and social enrichment. Our residential summer courses take place at some of the UK’s top boarding schools and university college campuses, including Eton College, Oxford University Colleges and Headington School.

Over 15,800 students from 152 nationalities have been welcomed to study with us to date. Whether it’s preparing for future studies, developing 21st‑century skills or building confidence, the knowledge gained on an SBC course allows students to go forward and apply what they have learnt to other areas of their education and beyond; giving them the necessary skills to achieve their future goals.

The EL Gazette publishes a league table based on British Council inspections, and SBC has been ranked Number 1 from 2018 to 2023. We are very proud of this achievement and will continue to grow and develop our courses to offer students extraordinary experiences.

SBC is the only multi‑campus summer school provider in the UK to have achieved a perfect 15/15 areas of strength by the British Council. A true hallmark of educational quality.

TO APPLY

We want to make sure we do all we can to set candidates up for success in this process. If you require any adjustments to help you at interview and/or you have any questions at all, please contact us at: [email protected]

Please note, as this post involves direct contact with vulnerable children, it is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. However, amendments to the Exceptions Order 1975 (2013 and 2020) provide that certain spent convictions and cautions are ‘protected’. These are not subject to disclosure to employers and cannot be taken into account.

SHOULD YOU BE SUCCESSFUL

• Any gaps in your CV will be enquired about and must be explained satisfactorily.
• You will have to prove your Right to Work in the UK.
• You will provide the details of two recent and relevant referees who we will contact and specifically ask about your suitability to work with children and any concerns.
• You will be required to undergo a Disclosure and Barring Service check (DBS), and equivalent if you live, or have lived, outside of the UK.
• You will be asked to state that you have no known reason why you cannot work with children.
• Official identification and certificates will be required for our records.

SBC SAFEGUARDING STATEMENT

Summer Boarding Courses is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. We have a comprehensive Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy and procedures in place which all employees, volunteers and contractors are expected to adhere to.

SBC EQUALITY, DIVERSITY & INCLUSIVITY STATEMENT

We operate a policy of equal opportunities and welcome applications from candidates irrespective of sex, marital status, race, colour, nationality, ethnic origin or disability.