Activity Leader

Summer Boarding Courses; Oxford; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading summer educational programme in Oxford is seeking Activity Leaders to create engaging experiences for students aged 13-16. Candidates should have experience in coaching or leading groups of children, along with strong communication skills. Responsibilities include leading activities, ensuring student safety, and maintaining a supportive environment. This role offers competitive pay of £675 per week, with accommodation and meals included, making it an excellent opportunity to work with diverse international students.

Benefits

Accommodation provided

Meals included

Extensive on-site training

Qualifications

• Experience in leading or coaching groups of children in a professional capacity.
• Strong communication skills for effective interaction with students.
• First Aid/Lifeguard qualification is essential.

Responsibilities

• Design, prepare, and lead activities for students.
• Ensure student safety during activities and excursions.
• Maintain welfare and order within the boarding house.

Skills

Leading or coaching groups of children

Strong communication skills

Flexibility

Experience in sports or arts coaching

Education

First Aid/Lifeguard qualification

Job description

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, and ensure their safety at all times. Their responsibilities extend to safeguarding, where they build positive yet professional relationships with students and maintain vigilance around their welfare, adhering strictly to all safeguarding policies. Activity Leaders assist with student transfers to and from airports and provide guidance within the boarding houses, fostering a welcoming atmosphere and helping students develop independence, confidence, and social skills. They actively interact with students during meals, breaks, and free time, supporting a balanced combination of supervision and encouragement. Flexibility is key, as is a real enthusiasm for working with young people.

Location and School Overview

The Site Headington Oxford International Summer School is located in the leafy suburb of Headington, a mile from the historic town centre. Headington operates as an all‑girls school educating around 1,000 students from 30 different nationalities. The university‑campus style facilities include newly decorated bright accommodation for students and staff. The school is for students aged 13‑16 and the capacity is approximately 200 students a week.

Compensation and Working Hours

Remuneration: £675 per week (including tax and national insurance). The salary includes a holiday allowance of 12.07% (£72.70) and is paid weekly in arrears. Board and accommodation are provided at the summer site.

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

Responsibilities

• Design, prepare, and lead activities and events.
• Lead groups of students on excursions and follow the pre‑planned itinerary.
• Ensure that 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 where required.
• Maintain the welfare and order within the boarding house, supervising students and ensuring a welcoming and positive atmosphere.
• Supervise and interact with students during meal and break times.
• Help students develop independence, confidence and social skills.
• Respond to and manage any emergency situation.
• Assist in maintaining the school’s rules and discipline in a firm, positive and constructive manner.

Safeguarding Responsibilities

• Commit 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 while maintaining proper professional boundaries.
• List potential indicators of abuse and report concerns to the school's Designated Safeguarding Officer.
• Be vigilant regarding students’ welfare and report any concerns as required.

Qualifications and Experience

• 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.
• Experience in coaching sports, dancing, tennis, performing arts, music or arts & crafts.
• First Aid/Lifeguard qualification.
• Experience of residential international boarding.

Essential Qualities

• Approachable and empathetic to students’ needs.
• Enthusiastic and engaging.
• Diplomatic, responsible and motivated.
• Flexible within the summer school environment.
• Ability to manage discipline and behavioural issues in a firm, positive and constructive manner.

Additional Support and Training

• Full cost of a DBS check (if required) for your first contract working with SBC.
• Extensive, paid, on‑site training prior to student arrival.
• All meals and accommodation included.
• CPD and appraisals.
• Staff wellbeing initiative and access to Employee Assist Programme (EAP).
• Continual support from the Head Office Team, both on the ground and via phone/email.
• Online safeguarding and prevent training.
• Professional, fun and supportive environment.

Additional Information

SBC may conduct online searches for shortlisted candidates as part of its legal duty to meet safeguarding responsibilities.

All members of staff employed by SBC must provide the details of two recent and relevant referees and undergo a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check. They must also state that they have no known reason preventing them from working with children, and provide official identification and certificates for records.

About SBC

Founded in 2008, Summer Boarding Courses offer award‑winning, future‑focused courses that balance academic and social enrichment. We deliver residential summer courses at some of the UK's top boarding schools and university college campuses, including Eton College, Oxford University Colleges and Headington School. Our courses have attracted over 15,800 students from 152 nationalities. 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.