Residential Activity Leader
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.
*Based on 40 hours per week, holiday pay included
Desireable Requirements
- Experience of working with children,
- Previous summer school experience,
- Previous activity leading experience,
- Ability to maintain long periods of physical activity.
The post of a Residential Activity Leader includes all meals and accommodation.
A well-organised and 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.
As a Residential Activity Leader you will be expected to assist the Campus Management Team with tasks regarding the welfare, administration, safety and security of students in residential accommodation (including assisting with the arrival and departure of students and carrying out airport transfers).
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, 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.
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 reserve 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 to receiving a Disclosure check can take up to 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.
The employee must also provide an email address and contact telephone number of 3 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 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.
Reports to: Activity/Excursion Manager and Centre Manager
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 of 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.
- 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.
- Preparing for activity sessions thoroughly; preparation time can be considerable if you are to ensure the success of the timetabled session. This involves:
- Planning and promoting the activity,
- Having considered all potential hazards concerning Health & Safety according to the guidelines laid down, make necessary provisions to avoid accidents,
- Knowing necessary instructions/directions before session start time,
- Having all 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 breakfast/ lunch/dinner and interacting with the students.
- Assisting the Welfare Coordinator in managing lights-out duties and liaising with other staff on pastoral care duties.
- Helping students to adjust to life in the UK and to understand information concerning personal safety, British law, culture and values and St Andrew’s College Language Schools campus rules.
- Assisting in the organisation of, and participate in, the student orientation and induction, including ensuring that each student has a room card and lanyard on arrival.
- Assisting in ensuring that Group Leaders are supervising their students effectively by making regular patrols of the campus during the day.
- Assisting the Welfare coordinator in ensuring that all students attend the set activity/lesson.
- When required, assisting with the supervision of students during free time.
- Assist with the pre-arrival and departure checks and damage surveys.
- Helping build a community spirit in the house/block via notice boards, halls of residence rules and competitions.
- Helping maintain student discipline in residences and liaising with the Campus Management Team and Group Leaders. Reporting all damages to Centre Manager immediately.
- Assisting the Activity/Excursion Manager in ensuring events are promoted effectively and that students sign up in advance.
- Assisting Campus Management Team in ensuring that student notice boards are kept up to date and all information is correct and accurate.
- Assisting Campus Management Team with general administration (e.g.) photocopying, preparing student packs etc.
- 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 reserve 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.