Schools on Reserves Leader (Nature Activity Leader)

Our nature reserves offer school groups the opportunity to book outdoor sessions in which they learn about and are inspired by the beautiful and amazing wildlife on the reserve. Our Schools on Reserves programme aims to give schoolchildren the chance to experience nature first-hand and by leading the group you can enable that exciting journey of discovery!

As a Nature Activity Leader at Strumpshaw Fen you can help us inspire school children, giving them the chance to experience nature first-hand. By being part of that exciting journey of discovery, you will be making sure the children get the most out of their visit. You will be leading the delivery of high-quality standardised learning activities to primary school children who are visiting the site with their school. Typical activities include hands on exploration of meadows and woods hunting for minibeasts, bird watching and pond dipping. Our schools offer is mainly provided from Easter to October and would suit someone able to offer availability two days a week or more in term time during these months. Most sessions run from 10am to midday with setting up and packing away time required before and after.

This role would also assist our team with the delivery of hands-on nature activities for visiting uniformed groups such as cubs and brownies so the ability to volunteer during the evening/weekend would be desirable but not essential.

This year is an ideal time to start whilst we have a Schools Project Officer in role; providing an opportunity to assist sessions to build confidence before leading. Support and training will be provided but we are looking for people with the following interests, skills and experience:

• A keen interest in wildlife, conservation and the environment.
• An enthusiasm for outdoor education and willingness to learn new skills.
• A resourceful and flexible approach to be able to cope with a variety of ages and abilities of children of primary school age.
• The confidence and ability to lead a fun and active day's education programme with a group of students and their teacher.
• Ability to communicate effectively with children of differing needs and levels of understanding.
• Self-motivated with ability to work as part of a team and alone.

Safeguarding is important to the RSPB. Volunteers will be DBS checked and expected to complete online safeguarding training.

 Desirable skills/experience:

• Field teaching experience would be an advantage.
• Some ecological knowledge of habitat types would be an advantage.
• Some knowledge of the local history of the area would be an advantage.

This is a really rewarding role and offers the opportunity to make a big impact for children and nature. We'll give you training and experience to build your confidence in leading sessions where children have wonderful hands-on experiences with nature. We can potentially give you the skills and experience to kick start a career in environmental or community education. You'll be part of a friendly team of staff and volunteers and have the opportunity to make new friends.

We believe that nature is everybody’s right and being an equal, diverse organisation is the right thing to do to find solutions to our common challenges. We recognise the value of difference and want all volunteers to feel welcome, included and able to be themselves. We want to better reflect the communities in which we work so particularly welcome more volunteer applications from people from Black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds and people under 25. We are committed to improving our performance in Equality, Diversity and Inclusion. In particular volunteers can expect:
• A supportive line manager in all instances.
• A flexible approach to the way you can volunteer, wherever possible.
• Access to development training and materials • The opportunity to join our network of Equality and Diversity champions or affinity groups such as our Starlings LGBTQI+ network.
• The option to sign up to a monthly equality, diversity and inclusion newsletter to learn more and get further involved.
For more information please get in touch at: eandd@rspb.org.uk