Outdoor Education Instructor

The Bedford College Group; Old Warden; On-site; GBP 28,000 - 33,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

27 days annual leave

Bank holidays

People’s Pension

Retail and Leisure Discounts

Professional development opportunities

Access to college courses

Job summary

The Bedford College Group is seeking an Outdoor Education Instructor to join the Outdoor Education department at Shuttleworth College, Old Warden. The role involves delivering practical and classroom learning, developing learners’ vocational skills and leading on health and safety in outdoor settings.

Applicants should have GCSE English and Maths, a recognised First Aid qualification, a full UK driving licence, and at least two outdoor instructor qualifications, with a commitment to ongoing

Qualifications

• Holds GCSE English and Maths.
• A recognised First Aid qualification and a full UK driving licence.
• At least two nationally recognised outdoor instructor qualifications.
• Commitment to maintaining and developing industry-relevant skills and accreditations.

Responsibilities

• Outdoor Education Instruction & Learner Development - Deliver engaging practical and classroom-based learning across outdoor education programmes, developing learners’ vocational skills, knowledge and professional competence through high-quality coaching, assessment and feedback.
• Programme Delivery & Quality Assurance - Prepare learning materials and resources, undertake assessment and internal quality assurance activities, monitor learner progress, and ensure programmes meet awarding body and curriculum requirements.
• Practical Resource & Equipment Management - Oversee outdoor education equipment, facilities and practical learning environments, maintaining resources, records and inventories in line with College procedures, quality standards and financial regulations.
• Health, Safety & Student Management - Lead on health and safety within practical areas, conduct risk assessments, ensure compliance with industry regulations, maintain safe working environments, and manage student behaviour in accordance with College policies.
• Recruitment, Collaboration & Professional Standards - Support marketing and student recruitment activities, participate in team and College-wide meetings, and promote safeguarding, equality, diversity and inclusion, continuous professional development, and high standards of professional practice.

Skills

Outdoor instruction

Learner development

Health & safety

Classroom delivery

Mentoring

Education

GCSE English

GCSE Maths

First Aid certificate

UK driving licence

Outdoor instructor qualifications (2+)

Job description

Role: Outdoor Education Instructor

Location: Shuttleworth College – Old Warden

Salary/Benefits: Salary is between £27,717 and £32,515 per annum DOE and Qualifications, 27 days annual leave plus Bank holidays,People’s Pension, Retail and Leisure Discounts, excellent professional and personal development opportunities, accessing college courses.

Hours/Weeks: 37 hours per week – 52 weeks per year

Contract Type: Permanent – Full Time

This is a UK based contract, and you are required to have the Right to Work in the UK. Unfortunately, we’re unable to offer sponsorship and any offer of employment will be subject to evidence of your Right to Work in the UK.

About The Role

We are currently seeking an Outdoor Education Instructor to join our Outdoor Education department at The Bedford College Group

• Outdoor Education Instruction & Learner Development - Deliver engaging practical and classroom-based learning across outdoor education programmes, developing learners’ vocational skills, knowledge and professional competence through high-quality coaching, assessment and feedback.
• Programme Delivery & Quality Assurance - Prepare learning materials and resources, undertake assessment and internal quality assurance activities, monitor learner progress, and ensure programmes meet awarding body and curriculum requirements.
• Practical Resource & Equipment Management - Oversee outdoor education equipment, facilities and practical learning environments, maintaining resources, records and inventories in line with College procedures, quality standards and financial regulations.
• Health, Safety & Student Management - Lead on health and safety within practical areas, conduct risk assessments, ensure compliance with industry regulations, maintain safe working environments, and manage student behaviour in accordance with College policies.
• Recruitment, Collaboration & Professional Standards - Support marketing and student recruitment activities, participate in team and College-wide meetings, and promote safeguarding, equality, diversity and inclusion, continuous professional development, and high standards of professional practice.

About You

• Qualifications & Outdoor Industry Expertise - Holds GCSE English and Maths, a recognised First Aid qualification, a full UK driving licence, and at least two nationally recognised outdoor instructor qualifications, with a commitment to maintaining and developing industry-relevant skills and accreditations.
• Practical Delivery & Instructional Skills - Experienced in delivering and adapting high-quality outdoor learning sessions, using professional judgement and initiative to meet individual learner needs while maintaining engagement, safety and learning outcomes.
• Outdoor Education Leadership & Mentoring - Brings recent experience within residential outdoor provision, supports the development of aspiring instructors, and demonstrates knowledge of NGB awards, accreditation requirements, and industry quality standards.
• Communication, Organisation & Learner Support - Communicates effectively with students, parents, staff and external organisations, builds positive and supportive relationships with learners, and manages workloads, deadlines and responsibilities with minimal supervision.
• Flexibility, Safeguarding & Professional Development - Committed to safeguarding children, young people and vulnerable adults, maintaining health and safety standards, working flexibly across locations and residential activities, and continuously updating knowledge, qualifications and professional practice.

For a more detailed breakdown of the job role and the requirements, please see the Job Description attached to this vacancy.

Interviews to be held: TBC

Successful candidates must also be able to demonstrate alignment to our organisational VISION values:

• Valuing Teamwork - We are one team who by working together can achieve great things, respecting the opinion and valuing the contribution each of us makes.
• Improving Continuously - We challenge ourselves to always do better by trying new things, sharing knowledge, reflecting on practice and learning from others.
• Student Centred - At our heart is always doing what is best for our students. We consider students in all of our decision making to create positive outcomes and memorable experiences for every student.
• Inclusive - We celebrate differences and diversity, recognising that we can learn from each other.
• Open and Caring - We care about the wellbeing of our staff, our students, our community and wider society, creating an environment built on trust where we listen, engage with and support each other.
• Nurturing Education Excellence - We promote educational excellence by delivering programmes that challenge our students to achieve their ambitions.

About Shuttleworth College

Shuttleworth College is set within the stunning location of Old Warden Park, near Biggleswade. It's a specialist land-based college, offering agricultural and environmental education, alongside animal sciences, equine studies and outdoor adventure all delivered within acres of parkland, farmland, lakes and woodland.

About The Bedford College Group

The Bedford College Group was formed in 2017 following the merger of Bedford College and Tresham College and is now the largest provider of education in the South East Midlands, with over 15,000 students passing through our doors each year.

Today, the Group is made up of a family of colleges across Bedfordshire and Northamptonshire:Bedford College, Central Bedfordshire College andTreshamCollegein the towns of Bedford, Dunstable, Leighton Buzzard, Corby, Kettering and Wellingborough;ShuttleworthCollege,a specialist land-based college; The Bedford Sixth Form, (the only dedicated sixth form in Bedford); The Corby Sixth Form, (opened in September 2023); and the National College for MotorsportalongsideSilverstonerace circuit.To widen accessibility to education and training, the Group also has community-based Learning Centres in Bedford, Corby and Kettering which offer IT training.

Safeguarding our Students

The Bedford College Group is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. The successful candidate will be subject to thorough vetting process which includes, an enhanced DBS check and satisfactory references.

This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. The Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and the Exceptions Order 1975, provides information about which convictions must be declared during job applications and related exceptions and further information about filtering offences can be found in the DBS filtering guide. The Bedford College Group's policy on Employment of Ex-Offenders is attached to this vacancy.

Candidates who are barred from working with children are reminded it is a criminal offence to apply for this post.