Teacher of Adventure Education

MYDDELTON COLLEGE; Denbigh; On-site; GBP 28,000 - 35,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Weekend Adventure Days

DofE trips and expeditions

Residentials and camps

Holiday provision

Job summary

Myddelton College is seeking an experienced Outdoor and Adventure Instructor to lead practical delivery for 3–18 year olds. The role involves supervising activities, teaching theory connections, and contributing to the Duke of Edinburgh's Award program.

Applicants should hold Mountain Leader, Rock Climbing Instructor and paddle-sport leadership qualifications, plus a current Outdoor First Aid cert.), driving licence and safeguarding training.

Qualifications

• Holder of Mountain Leader Award, Rock Climbing Instructor Award, and paddle-sport leadership qualifications.
• Outdoor First Aid qualification and full UK driving licence.
• Experience leading practical outdoor activities with children and young people.
• Ability to plan and manage full activity days in outdoor settings.
• Commitment to safeguarding and risk management.

Responsibilities

• Plan and deliver high-quality practical Outdoor and Adventure Education.
• Lead activities for pupils across 3–18 age range.
• Adapt activities to pupils' ages, developmental stages and abilities.
• Lead activities including hillwalking, climbing, paddlesport, navigation and expeditions.
• Support delivery of Outdoor and Adventure Education as part of the curriculum.
• Assist with Bronze, Silver and Gold Duke of Edinburgh's Award training and expeditions.
• Inspect, maintain and record use of equipment and PPE.

Skills

Outdoor instruction experience

Risk management

Communication with pupils

Independent working

Education

Mountain Leader Award

Rock Climbing Instructor Award

Paddle UK paddlesport leadership qualification

Outdoor First Aid

Full UK driving licence

Safeguarding training

Job description

Teacher of Adventure Education

Deadline for applications: Friday 9th October 2026 at 12 noon

Interviews: Thursday 15th October 2026

Start date: Monday 4th January 2027 (start of Spring Term)

Salary: Between £28,000 and £35,000 FTE depending on experience (this is a 0.7 role)

About Myddelton College

Myddelton College is an independent school providing education for pupils aged 3-18. Outdoor and Adventure Education is an established and valued part of the College's curriculum. Provision extends across the full age range, from Early Years and Prep School through to Key Stage 3, GCSE-equivalent Level 2 Outdoor Studies and A-level-equivalent Level 3 Adventure Studies. The department also manages the College's Bronze, Silver and Gold Duke of Edinburgh's Award provision, alongside camps, residentials, expeditions, weekend Adventure Days and other extracurricular opportunities. Outdoor and Adventure Education at Myddelton College is not limited to occasional trips or enrichment activities. It forms a meaningful part of pupils' regular curriculum and supports the development of practical competence, personal responsibility, teamwork, resilience, decision‑making and environmental awareness.

Role Purpose

Myddelton College is seeking an experienced and appropriately qualified Outdoor and Adventure Instructor with strong practical expertise and the ability to work confidently and independently within a school environment. The successful candidate will take a leading role in the practical delivery of Outdoor and Adventure Education. They will lead activities safely within the remit of their qualifications, experience and approved competence while supporting pupils across the College's full 3-18 age range. The postholder must be able to adapt their communication, instructional style, level of challenge and practical delivery to meet the developmental, educational and pastoral needs of pupils from Early Years through to Sixth Form. Although this is primarily a practical instructor role, the postholder will also support classroom‑based and theory lessons. This will include helping pupils connect their practical experiences with relevant knowledge, planning, risk management, decision‑making, environmental responsibility and accredited course requirements. The appointment is intended to strengthen the department's technical capacity and support sound professional judgement across its provision. The successful candidate must therefore be an established outdoor professional who can manage practical activity days, contribute informed technical advice and make appropriate decisions in dynamic outdoor environments. It is also desirable that the candidate has experience delivering the Duke of Edinburgh's Award and/or military experience which could be of use in helping to lead our Combined cadet Force (CCF) group.

Principal Responsibilities

• Plan and deliver high-quality practical Outdoor and Adventure Education.
• Work confidently and appropriately with pupils across the College's full 3-18 age range.
• Adapt activities, communication and instructional approaches to pupils' ages, developmental stages, abilities and previous experience.
• Lead activities including hillwalking, climbing, paddlesport, navigation, campcraft and expeditions.
• Lead groups independently within the remit of their qualifications, experience and formally approved competence.
• Support the delivery of Outdoor and Adventure Education as part of pupils' regular curriculum.
• Contribute to Key Stage 3 Outdoor and Adventure Education.
• Support the delivery and assessment of Level 2 Outdoor Studies and Level 3 Adventure Studies.
• Assist with classroom‑based and theory lessons connected to the outdoor curriculum.
• Help pupils connect practical experiences with theoretical understanding and accredited learning outcomes.
• Support pupils with coursework evidence, practical reflections and the application of theory to outdoor environments.
• Contribute to Bronze, Silver and Gold Duke of Edinburgh's Award training and expedition delivery.
• Teach and assess appropriate DofE expedition skills, including navigation, campcraft, equipment selection, route planning, teamwork and emergency procedures.
• Plan and manage full practical days, including venues, equipment, group needs, transport requirements and contingency arrangements.
• Provide technical leadership within their areas of qualification and competence.
• Contribute informed technical advice and support professional judgement within the department.
• Support appropriate and defensible decision‑making regarding activities, venues, environmental conditions and group needs.
• Establish and maintain high expectations for pupil behaviour, participation and decision‑making.
• Support pupils with additional learning needs and contribute to inclusive outdoor practice.
• Follow and contribute to risk assessments, operating procedures and emergency action plans.
• Conduct dynamic risk assessments and adapt activities in response to weather, environmental conditions and group needs.l
• Inspect, maintain and appropriately record the use of technical equipment and personal protective equipment.
• Contribute to departmental planning, curriculum development and quality assurance.
• Work constructively with the Head of Department, the College's external technical adviser, teachers, freelance practitioners and external providers.
• Maintain professional competence through appropriate CPD, consolidation and continued personal experience.
• Undertake any other reasonable duties appropriate to the role.

Additional Paid Work

• Weekend Adventure Days.
• DofE training days and expeditions.
• Curriculum‑related expeditions.
• Camps and residential visits.
• Holiday provision.
• Extended practical courses.
• UK‑based or international trips, where appropriate.
• Additional technical‑lead work.

All agreed weekend, residential and expedition work will be paid separately in addition to the stated salary. Rates, working arrangements and expectations will be agreed in advance.

Person Specification

Essential Qualifications

Applicants must hold:

• Mountain Training Mountain Leader Award.
• Mountain Training Rock Climbing Instructor Award.
• Paddle UK Paddlesport Leader, Paddlesport Instructor or an equivalent relevant leadership or instructional qualification.
• A current and appropriate Outdoor First Aid qualification.
• A full UK driving licence.
• Relevant safeguarding training, or a willingness to complete this before commencing the role.

Essential Experience and Knowledge

• Substantial professional experience as an outdoor instructor or practitioner.
• Recent and relevant personal and professional experience in outdoor environments.
• Experience of independently leading practical outdoor activities.
• Experience of planning and managing full activity days.
• Experience of working effectively with children and young people.
• The ability and willingness to work across the College's full 3-18 age range.
• The ability to adapt their communication and delivery for Early Years, primary, secondary and Sixth Form pupils.
• An understanding that different age groups require different instructional, developmental and pedagogical approaches.
• The ability to adjust activities, demonstrations, expectations and levels of responsibility according to pupils' ages and developmental stages.
• The ability to balance close care and supervision for younger pupils with increasing independence, challenge and responsibility for older pupils.
• The confidence and subject knowledge required to support classroom‑based and theory lessons.
• The ability to explain technical information clearly and connect theory with practical experience.
• Effective behaviour‑management skills.
• An understanding of additional learning needs and inclusive outdoor practice.
• The ability to exercise sound professional judgement in dynamic environments.
• The confidence to contribute technical advice and support defensible departmental decision‑making.
• A clear understanding of risk‑benefit management and safeguarding.
• The ability to work independently while contributing positively to a wider departmental team.
• Strong communication, organisation and record‑keeping skills.

Desirable Qualifications

• Mountaineering and Climbing Instructor.
• Winter Mountain Leader.
• International Mountain Leader.
• Rock Climbing Development Instructor.
• Advanced Canoe Leader or an equivalent advanced paddlesport leadership award.
• White Water Kayak Leader or another relevant discipline‑specific leadership award.
• A higher‑level paddlesport coaching qualification.
• Another relevant higher‑level NGB qualification that strengthens the College's technical capacity.

Preference may be given to candidates who hold a higher‑level qualification in climbing, mountaineering or paddlesport. Other desirable qualifications include:

• An undergraduate degree in Outdoor Education, Outdoor Leadership or a related discipline.
• Qualified Teacher Status or a PGCE.
• DofE Expedition Assessor and Supervisor training.
• Minibus entitlement, including D1.
• Forest School, bushcraft or environmental education qualifications.
• Additional first‑aid, rescue or water‑safety qualifications.
• Relevant assessor or vocational education qualifications.

Desirable Experience

• Working within a school or educational setting.
• CCF experience or willingness to get involved if required.
• Supporting theory lessons and accredited coursework.
• Teaching accredited Outdoor Education courses.
• Supporting GCSE‑equivalent or A‑level‑equivalent practical qualifications.
• Delivering DofE expeditions at Bronze, Silver or Gold level.
• Working with Early Years and Prep‑aged pupils.
• Leading camps, residentials and multi‑day expeditions.
• Supporting pupils with additional learning needs.
• Contributing technical advice to departmental planning and decision‑making.
• Working within an AALA‑licensed organisation.
• Supporting departmental risk‑management and quality‑assurance systems.

Personal Qualities

• An experienced, technically competent and professionally credible outdoor instructor.
• Calm, pragmatic and able to make sound, defensible decisions.
• Confident leading pupils in practical outdoor environments.
• Comfortable supporting both practical and theory‑based learning.
• Able to build positive and appropriate relationships with pupils aged 3-18.
• Organised and able to manage multiple operational demands.
• Committed to high standards of safeguarding and risk management.
• Able to offer constructive technical advice and support professional judgement.
• Flexible and willing to undertake separately paid weekend, residential and expedition work.
• Enthusiastic about the educational, developmental and personal value of outdoor learning.
• Able to balance meaningful challenge with appropriate care and oversight.

Safeguarding

Myddelton College is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. The successful applicant will be subject to appropriate pre‑employment checks, including an enhanced DBS check, verification of qualifications, employment references and any other checks required by the College's safer‑recruitment procedures.