Lead Senior Instructor - Hertfordshire

Outdoor Learning; Potters Bar; On-site; GBP 22,000 - 27,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading outdoor education organization is seeking a Lead Senior Instructor for their Cuffley Active Learning Centre. This fixed-term position includes responsibilities such as leading a team to deliver outdoor sessions, managing resources, and ensuring high levels of safety and quality in activities. Successful candidates will need prior experience with children, the ability to work in a team, and a clean driving license. This role offers up to £27,000, accommodation, free meals, and the potential for career progression in the outdoor education sector.

Benefits

Accommodation package offered

Free meals whilst working

Uniform provided

Qualifications

• Previous experience of working within a similar role and with children is essential.
• Must be able to complete a comprehensive training programme.

Responsibilities

• Lead a team of Senior & Outdoor Instructors to deliver sessions.
• Support in implementing staff training and monitoring performance.
• Manage kit stores and oversee arrivals & departures.

Skills

Experience in land-based activities

Understanding of Health & Safety issues

Ability to work as part of a team

High level of interpersonal skills

Clean driving license of at least 1 year

Job description

Lead Senior Instructor – Fixed Term at Cuffley Active Learning Centre

From woods to coast to mountains, Active Learning Centres are dedicated to helping young people develop essential skills and character, and to promote wellbeing through outdoor learning.

Cuffley Active Learning Centre (ALC) is set in 96 acres of outstanding natural beauty in south-east Hertfordshire, just 15 minutes from the M25. The predominantly woodland site offers a blend of multi- activity and environmentally-focused residential and day courses, which are designed to promote the development of Essential Skills, Character and Wellbeing.

Cuffley ALC provides outdoor learning experiences for children aged 4 – 18, with a wide range of bespoke educational and hands-on school trips. We work closely with schools prior to their travel to ensure that each itinerary meets the needs of the visiting students and teachers.

About the Role

Fixed Term Contract, with a 1-month probation with potential opportunities at the end of contract
Predominantly Monday to Friday with occasional weekend work
Earn up to £27,000
Must be available to attend a training and assessment course starting in February 2026

No qualifications are required for this role, however, previous experience of working within a similar role and with children is essential. All applicants will complete a comprehensive training programme in conjunction with our mentoring scheme upon arrival to Cuffley. However, you do need the following:

• Experience in land-based activities to include Low Ropes, Orienteering, Problem-Solving, Team Building and Initiative Exercises
• Understanding of the Health & Safety issues required in a busy Outdoor Education and Adventure Residential Centre
• Ability to work as part of a team and on your own initiative
• Willing to develop their own capabilities and qualifications
• A high level of interpersonal skills and team values
• Hold a clean driving license of at least 1 year

You will be responsible for leading a team of Senior & Outdoor Instructors in delivering multi-activity sessions at our specialist outdoor learning centre at Cuffley. You will ensure that our high level of pastoral care is maintained, and Safeguarding with Health & Safety is at the forefront of every single session.

Responsibilities

• Supporting the Chief Instructor & Programmes Manager in implementing staff training and monitoring performance.
• Management of Kit Stores, including the upkeep of Activities Kit, ensuring regular checks are complete and logging any relevant information/changes, signing kit in and out, repairing and completing any required maintenance of kit and activity bases
• Overseeing Arrivals & Departures alongside the Senior Leadership Team, delegating roles to staff ensuring that procedures are followed, and guests/visitors/staff are kept safe
• To oversee both residential and day visit groups to ensure Senior & Outdoor Instructors are delivering quality and consistent activities to the policies and procedures.
• To report directly to the Chief Instructor & Programmes Manager, keeping them informed of daily events with groups, activity equipment and Instructors
• Facilitating sessions to a high quality as needed and to be shadowed by new and existing staff as part of the development process
• Be a point of contact for first aid incidents within their ability and the Senior Leadership Team with other incidents.
• Rotational Senior Night Duties
• To ensure that the Instructing Team are performing regular dynamic risk assessments and following Active Learning Centre’s risk assessments and SOP’s
• Monitoring the upkeep of site and guest accommodation is kept to a high standard prior, throughout, and after the duration of their stay

But that’s just the start of your ALC career journey – with our stunning portfolio of woodland – coastal – mountain Active Learning Centres, we aim to give successful staff a pathway to gain National Governing Body Awards and the opportunity to build a career that offers immense satisfaction and achievement. Training courses in water-based activities, mountain activities, facilitation and other facets of outdoor education will enable you to progress your career in the outdoors either with Cuffley ALC or at one of our amazing centres in Wales.

Training and Development

• Progression plan informed using customer and observation KPI’s with CPD sessions to help you achieve
• Enhanced Safeguarding Training
• Level 2 Food Hygiene & Safety Qualification
• External First Aid Qualification
• Access to Online Training Modules
• Full induction and training plan
• Progression opportunities across multi-discipline centres
• Potential to earn qualifications while with ALC, these may be:
• Archery GB
• And others

Package

• Earn up to £27,000
• Accommodation package offered
• Free meals whilst working
• Uniform provided

The Active Learning Group and its brands are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and an expectation of this role is to share this commitment. Safer recruitment practice and pre-employment background checks will be undertaken before any appointment is confirmed. Appointment is subject to an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check and satisfactory reference. We reserve the right to conduct online searches where relevant.

At The Active Learning Group, we believe in providing an environment which recognises the values people’s differences/individuality, and benefits from the unique strengths that these differences bring to our organisation. This commitment promotes respect and equal treatment for all persons regardless of age, disability, gender, ethnicity, marital or civil partnership. Nationality, race, religion or belief, sex, and sexual orientation. We insist that this respect is applied in every aspect of our business and in how we conduct ourselves, under the Equality Act 2010.

Closing Date

Friday 23 rd January 2025

Interviews

Initial Phone Interview, if successful, in person interview on site

Contact Information / Links / How to Apply

Please apply via email [email protected] or apply direct to our website following this link Cuffley - Lead Senior Instructor