Activity Leader

St. Andrew's College Language Schools; Glasgow, Paisley, Ayr, City of Edinburgh, Stirling; On-site; Full time

Job summary

An exciting opportunity awaits as an Activity Leader at a vibrant summer school in Glasgow, where you will play a crucial role in creating a memorable experience for students from diverse backgrounds. You will be responsible for planning and leading engaging activities, ensuring the safety and welfare of participants, and fostering a fun and inclusive environment. This position requires enthusiasm, flexibility, and a passion for working with young people. Join a dedicated team committed to delivering high standards of service and making a positive impact on students' lives. If you thrive in dynamic settings and enjoy the outdoors, this role is perfect for you!

Benefits

Paid Induction

Holiday Pay

Meals during supervision duties

Company T-shirts and ID badges

Qualifications

• Ability to manage own work and communicate effectively.
• Experience in working with children is desirable.

Responsibilities

• Plan, organise, and promote activities and excursions.
• Supervise and ensure the welfare of students during activities.

Skills

Organisational Skills

Effective Communication

Flexibility

Problem-Solving

Experience with Children

Education

No specific educational requirement mentioned

Tools

Health & Safety Guidelines

Job description

Positions available in Glasgow, Paisley, Ayr, Edinburgh, Stirling, London, Chatham (Kent), Canterbury, Bognor Regis (West Sussex), Brighton, Colchester, Gloucester and Keele.

Accommodation Not Included

Duration: Summer 2025

Reports to: Activities & Excursion Manager

Essential Requirements

• Ability to organise and manage own work
• Ability to communicate effectively
• Ability to adapt quickly to change and be flexible
• Demonstrate initiative towards taking on extra tasks
• Enjoy working with children and teenagers from different cultures
• Ability to address large groups of young people
• Good problem-solving skills
• Pass Disclosure Scotland/DBS/background checking/vetting procedures
• Maintain a smart personal appearance

* Over 18 hourly rate, holiday pay included

Desirable Requirements

• Experience of working with children
• Previous summer school experience
• Previous activity leading experience
• Ability to maintain long periods of physical activity

Job Overview

A well-organised and well-implemented activity programme is crucial to the success of a summer school, and proactive, enthusiastic, motivated Activity Leaders are integral to the high standards of service St Andrew’s College Language Schools provide to their clients. If appointed, you will be expected to plan, organise, and promote activities and excursions, as well as encouraging and motivating students to participate so that they get the full benefit from their stay.

An outlined activity programme is prepared and coordinated by the Activity and Excursion Manager(s). Activity Leaders are responsible for promoting, organising, and running all activities and events, both on and off campus, under the guidance of the Activity and Excursion Manager(s). They may also need to supervise other staff when leading activities and excursions, encouraging them to take a full and active part.

Activity Leaders work a six-day week and receive one full day off per week. Duties include, but are not exclusive to, the following: planning and leading activities and excursions, welfare and supervision duties, and transfer duties. The time allocated to each of these tasks will be at the discretion of the management team at the centre. You must be flexible and willing to undertake any task as directed.

The Activity Manager will allocate your working times and tasks. Paid hours are direct contact hours with students which may be spread out throughout the day.

Non-residential staff receive meals when allocated meal supervision duties.

The employee must also provide an email address and contact telephone number of three referees who can verify their suitability for the post and suitability to work with those aged under 18.

All activity staff undergo a paid induction (£12.30/hour) and may be asked to start work after this induction. This payment will be made on completion of the agreed contract and on return of all company resources and property. Both the induction and the work afterwards are paid. Attendance at the induction is an essential part of the employment.

Other Important Information

• You may be required to work in excess of 48 hours per week. Evening and weekend work will be required.
• All staff accrue pro rata paid holiday during their period of employment.
• Holiday pay in lieu of untaken holiday is paid at the end of the contract.
• Pay will be processed for work undertaken until Sunday 20th July on Friday 25th July.
• Pay will be processed for work undertaken until Sunday 24th August on Friday 29th August, plus all holiday pay accrued across the period of employment.
• Company t-shirts, lanyards, and ID badges are provided and must be worn at all times whilst on duty.
• Salaries are paid in arrears into a UK bank account on the last Friday of every month.
• Staff do not receive any overtime payment unless this is expressly agreed with the Managing Director.
• All staff must be employees of St Andrew’s College Language Schools.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

• To have read and understood the staff handbook and be fully conversant with our policies for the welfare and protection of children. At all times whilst on duty, staff are responsible for the care, welfare, and safety of students whilst ensuring they are following the school’s rules.
• Thoroughly preparing for activity sessions; preparation time can be considerable if you are to ensure the success of the timetabled session. This involves:
• Planning and promoting the activity
• Considering all potential hazards concerning Health & Safety according to the guidelines laid down, making necessary provisions to avoid accidents
• Knowing necessary instructions/directions before session start time
• Having all the equipment and materials, if appropriate, set up before students arrive
• Packing away all equipment and materials, and tidying up the activity space
• Actively encouraging the involvement of students in activities/events and leading by example
• Ensuring events are promoted effectively and that students sign up in advance
• Looking after the materials/equipment and ensuring they are returned at the end of each activity
• Ensuring that listed students are present at activity programme sessions and maintaining accurate registers of their attendance
• Providing feedback on the programme for the Activity/Excursion Manager
• Generally caring for the welfare of all students, particularly our younger students
• Escorting groups on local walks and excursions and ensuring the safety and welfare of the students, as well as providing them with information to help them get the maximum benefit from their stay
• Familiarising yourself with the Excursion Guidelines booklet to provide students with information whilst on excursions. If necessary, undertake local travel research
• Assisting with airport transfers for student arrivals and departures
• Assisting with centre administration and other general tasks on the course as directed
• Assisting in closing the centre and returning equipment
• Participating in the Staff Induction Day (paid)
• Ensuring that all St Andrew’s College Language Schools Health & Safety policies are implemented and monitored
• Assisting with the supervision of lunch/dinner and interacting with the students
• Additional duties as required

In accordance with British Council accreditation criterion S4, you must provide a Disclosure (PVG in Scotland/’Enhanced’ DBS in England) and that this must be dated within three months from the start date of employment. If you have been working abroad, you must provide the equivalent ‘police check’ from that country. Whichever one you choose to supply; it must be specific to your suitability to work with under 18s. Disclosure checks made through St. Andrew’s College Language Schools are payable by the employee (£18 to £59) and will be deducted from your salary. The Company reserves the right to deduct the cost of these checks as soon as the process has started and regardless of the completion of the process. The company reserves the right to carry out PVG checks for all employees who don’t provide a suitable disclosure, unless otherwise requested by the candidate on acceptance of the job.

Please bear in mind that the procedure of receiving a disclosure check usually takes 14 days (but could take up to a maximum of 18 weeks). In the event that the disclosure is still pending at the commencement of employment, the employee agrees to comply with St Andrew’s College Language Schools, Safeguarding and Recruitment and Selection policies.