Wilder Learning Development Officer

We’re looking for an experienced outdoor learning professional who is keen to develop a
supportive training programme to help primary school staff feel confident and competent in
undertaking outdoor learning in their own settings.

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 focusing 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 3rd November

Interviews will be held: w/c 11th November

Further details are available on our website.

Please send completed application forms to [email protected].
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!

We’re looking for an experienced outdoor learning professional who is keen to develop a
supportive training programme to help primary school staff feel confident and competent in
undertaking outdoor learning in their own settings.