Head of Adventure

OVERALL PURPOSE

The role of the Head of Adventure will be to organise, lead and facilitate adventurous outdoor activities for pupils and offer support and advice regarding any related activities. It will involve attending events both at Canford and at external venues, accompanying and supervising pupils at event and organising the logistical support for events.

Key Responsibilities

The Head of Adventure will be responsible for:

Planning and delivery of school expeditions.

We have a well-established programme across year groups including:

• Cross country skiing expedition to Norway
• Ten Tors
• Winter mountaineering in the Cairngorms
• Overnight experiences
• Adventure training in the summer

Duke of Edinburgh's Award Manager  

We are a licensed centre for DofE, with 80-90 Sixth Formers doing Gold plus an increasing appetite for Bronze in the lower years

Oversee a team of staff focussing on:

• Expeditions
• Verification
• Training
• Implementation of the Young Leader Programme.

Support to large and active Combined Cadet Force (CCF) delivering both military and adventurous training.

Canford CCF is widely recognised as a leader in the sector, with 280+ cadets spread over Royal Navy, Army and Royal Marines detachments. The successful applicant would be required to work alongside the Contingent Commander and CCF staff to support the wider programme.  Duties include:

• Attendance at Recces for all CCF Field Days and Exercises
• Planning of Annual Parade
• Planning of Open Mornings
• Review and Updating Risk Assessments
• Drafting MOD planning documentation
• Willingness and ability to take part in CCF activities as a Cadet Force Adult Volunteer, and to play a part in the CCF.
• Ideally, to lead a section of the CCF.

Year Group activities programme.

Planning, allocation and overseeing delivery of a diverse programme of mainly outdoor activities to Year 11 pupils, focussed on broadening their experiences through a range of activities from PADI diving to mountain biking, clay pigeon shooting to survival.

Ideally to be able to support shooting activities in the range and also archery.

Support to the wider school, not least in terms of leadership development, admissions and marketing and co-curricular & pastoral programmes

• Ensuring that our Outdoor Adventure is diverse and inclusive
• Ensuring staff are suitably qualified to contribute to our Outdoor Adventure programmes
• Maintaining records of pupil training programmes, goals, progress, and testing, alongside the Head of Athletic Development, and Head of Wellbeing.
• Participating in planning meetings (e.g. about the calendar) to ensure Outdoor Adventure opportunities are compatible with the other programmes available to our pupils.
• Liaising closely with the CCF Contingent Commander
• Coordinating with CCF staff, the Trips Office and support staff to organise logistics, transport, food, finance etc for related trips Striking a balance between the provision of opportunities for all and the achievement of excellence for some so that everyone has appropriate opportunities and are developing.
• To contribute whole-heartedly to other aspects of school life where possible and appropriate.
• The successful applicant should be ready to perform other duties as deemed acceptable and appropriate by the Headmaster.

Criteria for Success:

• Actively supporting the ethos of the school, and effective integration of Outdoor Adventure within the whole school context.
• Contributing to the effective and efficient development and delivery of Outdoor Adventure to ensure appropriate opportunity, provision, participation and support for pupils at all levels.
• Maintaining positive relationships with staff and pupils.
• Enthusiasm and willingness to contribute to the life of a busy boarding school.
• Professional appearance and manner
• Ideally able to drive a minibus.

No job description can fully cover all aspects of such an appointment and consequently the responsibilities are likely to expand and evolve.

KEY SKILLS AND PERSONAL QUALITIES REQUIRED

• Enthusiasm for outdoor adventure
• An ability to inspire pupils through effective leadership and coaching.
• Excellent subject knowledge. Outdoor qualifications and experience sufficient to be an 'intelligent customer' as well as delivering activity on a personal level, and leading teams doing so. Mountain Leader (Summer) very strongly preferred
• A commitment to improving pupil outcomes.
• The ability to contribute to other areas of school life is desirable. This position could be combined with a part-time teaching or part-time sports coaching role, or with being a tutor.
• Ability to communicate clearly both orally and in writing.
• Ability to work independently or as part of a team.
• Willingness to reflect and be adaptable.
• Good organisation and planning skills
• Commitment to the values and ethos of the school

Canford School is committed to equity, diversity and inclusion in all areas of our community and encourages applications from all suitably qualified candidates.

Canford School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

All successful job applicants will be required to undergo child protection screening.