Further Detail

Marrick Priory is a Christian Outdoor Education Centre set in the heart of Swaledale in the Yorkshire Dales. It enjoys a fantastic setting on the banks of the River Swale and has a unique and historic atmosphere. It was founded 850 years ago as a Benedictine Priory but then dissolved by Henry VIII in 1540. In the 1960s the building was converted into an Outdoor Education Centre that has grown and developed over the years.

Marrick Priory is a Registered Charity and Company Limited by Guarantee with a strong link to the Diocese of Leeds. There is a pro-active and supportive management committee who oversee its’ well being, ethos, staffing and financial management.

The centre is busy all year round with schools, colleges, churches and youth groups who stay for weeks or weekends. We also run a day activities programme for non-resident groups from the local region. Groups follow a broad programme of outdoor activities with the aim of developing personal and life skills, confidence, self-esteem and teamwork.

Staff Team

A total of 17 staff work at the centre. These include: Head of Centre, Deputy Head of Centre, 4 Instructors of Outdoor Education, Housekeeper, Office Administrator, Development Officer, Site Maintenance Manager and 7 Domestic staff.

Purpose of Post

The post holder will contribute to the day to day management and operation of the Centre. They will deputize for the Head of Centre and help to ensure the safe and effective delivery of quality Outdoor Education and residential visits from a wide variety of groups. The post holder is a key link with visiting leaders to design the programme and organize the staff rota.

The post holder will be an example to instructing staff, setting a high standard of teaching to groups and assessing and monitoring the quality of instruction at the centre.

Relationships

The post holder will be a key member of the centre’s team, reporting directly to the Head of Centre. Close working relationships will be necessary with the Housekeeper, Development Officer and Office Administrator to ensure bookings are well planned and co-ordinated. Effective and professional relationships with all centre staff and a wide range of other people from schools, local authorities and the wider community will also be essential.

Main Duties

Service Delivery

• Assist in the running of the centre and deputising for the Head of Centre in their absence.
• Ensuring that operational policies and guidelines are maintained and quality is evident in the delivery of Outdoor Education and residential visits.
• Acting as the duty officer for the day on a rota basis with Instructing staff.
• To lead and instruct a wide range of activities to visiting groups and set an example of good practice to other Instructors.
• To liaise with group leaders and plan safe, effective and purposeful programmes which meet the needs of group members.
• To manage the provision of the Duke of Edinburgh Award Expedition section with visiting schools.
• Assist with reviewing risk assessments and associated licensing paper work.

Management of Staff

• Assist with staff training, induction and the monitoring of sessions.
• Organise the rota, days off and duty instructor for the programme

Resource Management

• Assist the Head of Centre with equipment purchasing
• Oversee equipment checks and repairs
• Assist the Friends of Marrick Priory in fundraising events.

Marketing and Bookings

• Assist the Head of Centre and office staff to optimise bookings.
• Undertake marketing and promotional task as necessary to develop new bookings.
• Any other duties that can reasonably expected of the post.

Qualifications and Experience

NGB qualifications and experience in as many of the following areas as possible: rock climbing, water activities: such as canoeing/kayaking/stand up paddle boarding, caving, orienteering, archery and hill walking.

Understanding and awareness of the benefits of Outdoor Education and some of the theoretical concepts underpinning good practice.

Good communication and people skills to effectively work with visiting leaders and staff throughout the centre.
Efficient and organised administration skills. Familiar and competent with typical office IT software.

A full driving license (preferably with D1 entitlement) and clear enhanced DBS check are essential.

Personal Outline

An ability to work well as a key member of a small team.
Keenness to work with children and young people, and to be sympathetic to their needs.

Initiative and enthusiasm to develop the Centre, and its staff.
Broad support for the Christian aims and ethos of the Centre.

Conditions of Service

Appointment

This is a full time permanent post with an initial 6 month probationary period.

Salary Scale £32,500-£35,487 pa

The starting salary will depend on qualifications and experience. options. Payment of salary will be monthly and in arrears, by bank transfer.

Pension

Marrick Priory operates the Government Nest Pension scheme and the appointed person would be auto enrolled into this scheme. The Employer contributes 3% to the pension scheme. Employees may opt out of the scheme if they wish to make their own pension arrangements.

Other Benefits

The Priory shares the cost of relevant NGB training and assessment courses and where possible these are undertaken during work time. Opportunities are available for the successful applicant to build on existing qualifications and broaden into new areas.

During the year there are additional staff training days and personal use of Priory equipment.

Working Pattern

The centre takes bookings during the week and at weekends and the working pattern takes into account the size and programme needs of the visiting group. All instructing staff have 2 days off for every 5 days worked. The Deputy Head organises the instructing staff rota and would normally rota themselves for an evening duty. The working pattern involves weekend work at the busy times of the year and days off might fall during the week. All instructing staff work a nominal 40 hrs per week and time of in lieu is given for busier periods. When groups are not resident then working hours are usually Mon- Fri 9-5pm.

Holidays

There are 34 paid holidays a year and bank holidays are included in this total. Ten days are taken at Christmas, 5 days at Easter and 10 days in August. The remaining 9 day can be taken by mutual agreement at other times of year.

Probation

The first 6 months will be regarded as a probationary period. The post is subject to satisfactory medical and DBS reports. There will be an ongoing review of the job description.