Job Description
Role: Associate Outdoor Education Instructor
Location: Shuttleworth College – Old Warden
Salary/Benefits: Salary is £23.00 per hour
Hours/Weeks: Weekly hours are TBC
Contract Type: Sessional – Hourly Paid
This is a UK based contract, and you are required to have theRight 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 Associate Outdoor Education Instructor to join our Outdoor Education department at The Bedford College Group.
As an Associate Outdoor Education Instructor, you play an important role in the success of our students through:
- Practical Teaching & Outdoor Education Delivery - Prepare and deliver practical learning activities across a range of Outdoor Education programmes, providing instruction that develops vocational skills, knowledge, and competence for individuals and groups of learners.
- Assessment, Feedback & Quality Assurance - Assess learners in line with awarding body requirements, provide timely and constructive feedback, and contribute to internal quality assurance processes to maintain high standards of delivery and achievement.
- Resource, Equipment & Technical Support - Manage practical learning resources, maintain equipment and records, provide technical support in practical and classroom environments, and ensure resources meet operational and quality standards.
- Health, Safety & Risk Management - Take responsibility for the safe operation of practical areas, conduct risk assessments, maintain compliance with health and safety regulations, and ensure all learning environments are safe, clean, and free from hazards.
- Student Support, Teamwork & College Engagement - Promote positive student behaviour, support recruitment and marketing activities, participate in team meetings, contribute to safeguarding and EDI responsibilities, and work collaboratively to enhance the learner experience.
About you:
- Outdoor Education Delivery & Practical Instruction - Proven experience delivering practical outdoor education and vocational training, preparing learning materials, facilitating resource-based learning, and demonstrating skills and processes to individuals and groups of learners.
- Assessment, Quality & Technical Management - Experience undertaking learner assessments, providing constructive feedback, supporting internal quality assurance processes, and managing equipment, resources, and records in line with awarding body and industry requirements.
- Industry Knowledge & Health & Safety Compliance - Strong understanding of current outdoor education industry practices, practical learning environments, risk assessment processes, and health & safety legislation, ensuring safe and effective delivery at all times.
- Learner Support & Communication Skills - Ability to create a welcoming, inclusive, and supportive learning environment, communicate effectively with students and stakeholders, manage behaviour appropriately, and support high-quality learner experiences.
- Professionalism, Teamwork & Flexibility - Self-motivated and organised, capable of working independently and collaboratively, committed to safeguarding, equality and diversity, continuous professional development, flexible working, and travel across service locations as required.
What is an Associate?
Associates work on a short-term basis as assigned. They teach or provide support services, and they work with and are supported by core staff. As an Associate you will be issued with an Associate Agreement, under this Agreement period you will be eligible to work on assignments offered to you.
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: 12 August 2026
Successful candidates must also be able to demonstrate alignment to our organisationalVISION 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 and Tresham College in the towns of Bedford, Dunstable, Leighton Buzzard, Corby, Kettering and Wellingborough; Shuttleworth College, 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 Motorsport alongside Silverstone race 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.
