Kingswood Jobs: Activity Instructors; Outdoor activity instructor jobs

Earn While You Learn

Kingswood activity centres are made up of enthusiastic and dedicated individuals who are looking for a one year development programme where they can “earn while they learn”. All Activity instructors are trained in a number of National Governing Body awards in specific areas such as Climbing, Fencing and Lifesaving. This is combined with a Modern Apprenticeship where candidates achieve key skills as well as NVQ qualifications in Activity Leadership.

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Instructor Employment and Training Opportunities

Our activity instructors love working with children. It is both fun and rewarding and a long way from your usual 9to5 job. However it is not for everyone; you need to be comfortable around children, and enjoy introducing challenging but fun experiences to young minds in a safe and structured way. You will sometimes require the patience of a saint and always need endless energy and enthusiasm. All instructors work through attainment levels to show evidence of skills acquired and proficiency in delivery. All activity instructors also get involved in all aspects of centre life from serving food to preparing the centre for arrivals, even occasionally making the beds. You learn everything about how we make it happen.

After a period of shadowing and when as an instructor you have gained your confidence, you will lead sessions in areas ranging from simple activities like Aeroball, graduating up to more challenging programmes such as Environmental and ICT. Whilst many initially approach session delivery with some apprehension, we find this is quickly overtaken by relishing the opportunity to challenge, motivate and inspire hungry young minds. Activity instructors are trained by Kingswood and achieve specific attainment levels in programme delivery which forms part of their own development portfolio.

The Development Programme

The Kingswood development programme runs for one year and has three intake periods. Participants usually achieve their NGBs, Apprenticeship and attainment levels in that period. The Modern Apprentiship Programme is the core element and is delivered by our training provider, Locomotivation, at all centres throughout the year. Kingswood always looks to promote from within and holds regular Senior Instructor Assessment weekends where activity instructors participating in our Development Programme are put through their paces before being considered for a position in our Senior Instructor team as a permanent member of our staff.

During the summer, all staff work on our Summer programme, Camp Beaumont either at our Residential Centres or at our London Day Camps.

You will also be given the opportunity to obtain qualifications in the support services team. During each month you will rotate between the instructor team and the support services team. For those Activity Instructors who progress to Centre Managers it is important they understand the workings of all aspects of Kingswood. Four of our 8 Centre Managers were previously Instructors.

Senior Instructors lead our activity teams and manage the delivery of our ICT, Environmental and Activity programmes. SIs are the eyes and ears of everything that we do and are responsible for looking after the delivery of our programmes on the ground. Senior Instructors work closely with activity instructors, helping them build their session skills and grow their confidence.

Programmers

All schools work to a specifically written tailored programme that incorporates exciting activities and more formal educational programmes such as ICT or Lifeskills. Programmers liaise with visiting schools and timetable their specific requirements into our own daily operational plan. They are often described as trying to put a huge jigsaw together while everyone is continually moving the pieces.

Ensuring that the programme is correctly staffed is a crucial part of centre life. Staffers ensure that the best person is matched to every session to make sure the schools get the most from their stay. At larger centres with over 60 instructors and literally hundreds of sessions happening every day it requires a huge depth of knowledge & understanding.

Senior Group Leaders

Senior Group Leaders assist in making sure that our centre offices run like clockwork and provide support to our Management, Activity and Support staff.

ICT Coordinators

ICT Coordinators both oversee the technical maintenance of their centre’s IT systems and also are responsible for training and monitoring ICT delivery standards. Coordinators also take an active role in developing and piloting new ICT programmes.

Environmental Coordinators

Environmental Coordinators are responsible for delivering our extremely popular Environmental courses for Primary schools right through to 'A-level' studies. They also manage a small team of Environmental graduates sorting out both classroom studies & fieldwork excursions.

Activity Coordinators

Activity Coordinators work closely with the Senior Instructors in delivering a huge range of activities at any given centre from Motorsports through to Climbing, Archery, Caving and Laser Tag.

The Senior Instructor team is the backbone of our organisation. These are the men and women who will be future senior players. Personal development continues with specific in-house training combined with further qualifications in higher-level activity delivery, Lifeskills training & City & Guilds 7307 accreditation.

Fast Track Opportunities

Every year a small number of our activity instructors are put forward for fast-track development and are intensively coached and trained in a number of key areas for rapid Centre promotion.

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