Session Leader

Gardens, Libraries and Museums (GLAM), University of Oxford; Oxford; On-site; GBP 80,000 - 100,000; Part time

Job summary

A prestigious educational institution based in Oxford is seeking a dedicated individual to support the delivery of creative and inclusive learning programmes. The role involves working with various age groups and requires experience in delivering taught sessions. Candidates should have strong communication skills, adaptability, and experience working with children. The position offers a range of benefits including an excellent pension scheme, annual leave, and childcare services.

Benefits

Excellent contributory pension scheme

38 days of annual leave

Comprehensive range of childcare services

Family leave schemes

Cycle loan scheme

Discounted bus travel

Qualifications

• Experience of delivering taught sessions to a range of age groups.
• Knowledge of teaching practice, including behaviour management.
• Understanding of learning from objects and enquiry-based approaches.

Responsibilities

• Support delivery of learning programmes for diverse audiences.
• Deliver pre-prepared sessions including workshops and study days.
• Prepare learning resources and support volunteers.

Skills

Experience delivering taught sessions

Communication skills

Ability to adapt content

Group management

Experience with children and young people

Job description

About the role

You will work with Creative Producers in the Schools and University Engagement Team and the Public Programmes Team within the Ashmolean Museum’s Audiences and Content Directorate. You will support the delivery of creative and inclusive learning programmes across a range of audiences from babies through to early years, primary, secondary, FE and young people and teachers, in person and online. You will deliver pre-prepared in-person and online sessions including workshops, gallery activities, handling sessions, study days and live digital sessions for a wide range of audiences, from early years to further education, teachers and families. You will support provision for participants with special educational needs and disabilities, prepare and maintain learning resources, and act as a key point of contact for volunteers supporting family sessions. You will also take part in training related to safeguarding, access, health and safety, museum learning and the National Curriculum, and will be required to undertake manual handling tasks as part of session delivery. This is a permanent, variable hours (paid as claimed) position. It is anticipated that you will work variable hours across term time, weekends, school holidays and potentially some Bank Holidays, depending on programme delivery requirements. Due to the nature of this post, the successful candidate will be required to undertake a satisfactory Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) due to working with children and young people.

About You

You will have experience of delivering taught sessions to a range of age groups, from early years through to Key Stage 5 and family audiences, both in person and online. You will have experience of working in a museum, heritage or comparable learning environment and will be able to communicate confidently, adapting content to meet different learning needs and styles. You will bring knowledge and understanding of teaching practice, including group and behaviour management, and an understanding of learning from objects and enquiry-based approaches. You will be comfortable working independently and as part of a team, able to respond positively to change and work under pressure, and will have experience of working with children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities.

What We Offer

As an employer, we genuinely care about our employees’ wellbeing and this is reflected in the range of benefits that we offer including:

• An excellent contributory pension scheme
• 38 days of annual leave
• A comprehensive range of childcare services
• Family leave schemes
• Cycle loan scheme
• Discounted bus travel and Season Ticket travel loans

More information is available at https://hr.admin.ox.ac.uk/staff-benefits

Diversity

Our staff and students come from all over the world, and we proudly promote a friendly and inclusive culture. Diversity is positively encouraged, through diverse groups and champions, as well as a number of family-friendly policies, such as the right to apply for flexible working and support for staff returning from periods of extended absence, for example, shared parental leave. We are committed to ensuring that our recruitment processes are inclusive and accessible. If you require the job description or any other materials in an alternative format, or if you would like to request any adjustments to support you through the application or interview process, please contact the recruitment team at [e-mail].

How to apply

You will be required to upload your CV and a supporting statement as part of your online application. Your supporting statement should list each of the essential and desirable selection criteria, as listed in the job description, and explain how you meet each one. Both documents must be submitted to be considered. We aim to provide a supportive working environment and are happy to discuss training and professional development opportunities. The Chair of this recruitment panel will be Melanie Rowntree, Head of Schools and University Engagement, who can be contacted with enquiries relating to the role ([e-mail]). General queries about the recruitment and application process should be directed to the Recruitment team within our Human Resources department ([e-mail]).

Only applications received online by 12.00 midday (GMT) on Tuesday 13th January 2026 can be considered. There will be a Recruitment Assessment day on Friday 6th February 2026 rather than standard panel interviews – although each candidate will receive a 15 minute interview as part of this. Candidates will be required to attend in person either from 9:15am to 12pm or from 12.45pm to 3:30pm, and shortlisted candidates may express a preference for their timeslot when invited to attend. Due to the nature of the assessment day the panel will be unable to reschedule this, so all shortlisted candidates must be able to attend on this day.