School engagement is an essential part of the Trust’s work.  We recognise that to give nature the best chance of recovering and flourishing in Worcestershire, we need to nurture the next generation to love their local wildlife and wild spaces and feel confident to take action for it.

Worcestershire Wildlife Trust has been running a school service for over 30 years engaging young people with the outdoors. We meet with between 2,000 – 3,000 young people, predominantly from primary school, every year at Lower Smite through our popular outdoor school trips covering key elements of the science curriculum. Everything we do is fun, interactive and hands on, including our creative science sessions where we explore classification and evolution through art techniques of collage and printing.

Research shows learning in nature helps children’s wellbeing, physical health and learning skills. Furthermore, we need to equip our young people with the knowledge and skills to tackle the biodiversity and climate crises. By 2030 we want one in four schools taking action for wildlife in Worcestershire. To do this we need children and staff to be connected to nature and confident to go outdoors. To achieve this, we are developing a natural learning journey to support staff and pupils grow a connection to nature and facilitate ways for schools to become more confident and skilled in delivering outdoor sessions where children learn in, about and for nature. The project will work with five schools in the first year as part of a pilot phase before increasing the numbers of schools involved based on test and learn and evaluation data.

This is a fantastic opportunity for the Wilder Learning Development Officer to develop a supportive project based on school needs to help primary school staff to feel confident and competent in undertaking outdoor learning in their own settings, supporting senior leaders to embed outdoor learning across school life and bringing together teaching staff to share ideas, support and skills across different schools. The role will be focussing on developing generic and bespoke training for teaching staff and senior leaders as well as growing an outdoor learning network for schools to share ideas and support each other through their individual natural learning journeys.

We are looking for someone who is experienced at leading outdoor learning including delivering curriculum-linked sessions. This might be in a primary school or another formal or informal education setting. You will have experience designing and delivering training and are an effective listener and persuasive communicator, importantly your passion about the benefits of nature for pupils and staff will shine through. You are comfortable building relationships across schools including with senior leaders and are highly organised. This role will enable you to make a real difference to nature’s recovery and to be part of our vision to get one in four schools taking action for wildlife by 2030.

A full driving licence is essential. This is full time, 35 hours per week position on a three-year fixed term contract. Job share will be considered. This role will be subject to reference checks and a DBS enhanced check with child barred list.

The role will be largely based at Worcestershire Wildlife Trust, Lower Smite Farm, Hindlip, Worcester WR3 8SZ with regular travel to schools within Worcestershire.

Deadline for applications: Sunday 3^rd November
Interviews will be held: w/c 11^th November

Further details are available below. Please send completed application forms to enquiries@worcestershirewildlifetrust.org.  CVs will not be considered.

Who we are

Worcestershire Wildlife Trust is the county’s leading local charity working towards a county rich in wildlife. With the support of our volunteers and members we manage over 3,000 acres of land for wildlife and people across Worcestershire. We work with organisations and landowners to protect and connect wildlife sites across the county. We also work with and inspire local communities and young people to care for wildlife where they live.  Worcestershire Wildlife Trust is one of 46 Wildlife Trusts working across the UK.

We’re Wild About Inclusion.  To us, this means inspiring, empowering and engaging people from all backgrounds, cultures, identities and abilities, to change the natural world for the better.  It also means cultivating inclusive workspaces that are free from discrimination, where differences are valued, everyone can be themselves and flourish, just like nature!