Roots and Shoots is run by a small diverse team who bring their enormous passion and expertise to our vibrant community. The team consists of a professional, friendly and creative group of people from all backgrounds, who all put our students and the environment first. We value people highly, with a focus on equality of opportunity for all.
Environmental Educator
Reporting to Environment and Community Lead
Job Type: Sessional work - Freelance, part-time, term-time only
Days: During term time, subject to booking - Fridays all day, Monday and Tuesday afternoons. Key busy periods - March to November
Hours: Sessional work in mornings and afternoons, with on-the-day timings approximately 09:30 to 12:00 - morning session, 13:00 to 15:00 - afternoon session
Pay: £22.50 per hour
Location: Kennington, London, SE11 6DN. No working from home, must be on site to run sessions.
Roots and Shoots is an independent, award-winning educational and environmental charity based in Kennington, South London. From a derelict site in 1982, it has grown to become a well-established and respected vocational training organisation with biodiverse wildlife gardens, offering a safe haven for both people and nature to flourish.
Roots and Shoots is primarily a vocational training charity for young people aged 16-24 with SEN, with a thriving Venue Hire social enterprise and other programmes engaging people of all ages with environmental education.
Job Purpose
This is a role for the new free-to-access City Saplings Programme, teaching environmental education to children of all ages in our Wild Garden and across the site outdoors. The sessions enable inner-city children to enjoy and connect with the natural world, complimenting their science curriculum classroom learning. We emphasise learning about wildlife, plants and nature directly in the garden.
Sessions are generally for nursery and primary school groups, though sessions with other age groups may also take place. The programme features established lesson plans, though some improvisation may be required depending on the age group, their needs and what observable natural occurrences are taking place in the gardens at the time. Sessions are generally an hour and a half long, with one in the morning and one in the afternoon.
The Environmental Educator(s) will set up prior to sessions. They will greet the visiting groups as they arrive and take them to the Wild Garden, where they will do an introduction and warm up. Sessions usually include 2 seasonal activities such as pond dipping, a wildlife safari or bulb planting, finishing with a positive summary of what's been learnt. For groups larger than 10, there will be 2 Environmental Educators to run the sessions, splitting classes into 2 groups.
Main Duties
Environmental Education Sessions
Leading City Saplings nature education sessions
Following and delivering pre-made session plans
Lesson plans to be catered to different group demographics and abilities
Primarily Nursery to Year 3 school pupils
Sessions with other age groups may also take place
Sessions with SEN groups will take place
Up to 30 pupils per session
If a group size is larger than 10, 2 Environmental Educators per session
Groups are expected to bring their own education support staff
Discuss any additional needs or considerations for sessions with the Environment and Community Lead
Option for leading art-based activities if qualified.
Ensure a safe learning environment, checking that the garden is ready for visitors
Set up for sessions prior to teaching, tidy up after sessions
Checking what is interesting and growing/living in the gardens prior to sessions
Awareness that other groups may also use the gardens at the same time - eg. Branching Out Programme, individual and corporate volunteers, and working collaboratively with staff to ensure the gardens are shared.
Person Specification
A passion for and a good general knowledge of nature, plants and wildlife
A passion for delivering excellent environmental education to young people
A strong and confident session leader
An enthusiastic, hands-on positive attitude
Ability to tailor activities to group abilities and needs
Commitment to equal opportunities policies and practices, and the promotion of equalities.
Skills and Experience
Essential
Experience working with groups of children in an educational setting
A qualification or proven experience of knowledge of the natural world
An Enhanced DBS check - this can be applied for if not already in place
Desirable
Horticulture qualification or gardening experience
Forest school teaching qualification or similar
Art and design qualification and/or teaching experience
SEND teaching experience
Safeguarding Statement
Roots and Shoots is committed to the safeguarding of its learners, staff and visitors.
Safeguarding is a priority with arrangements in place to ensure learners feel, and are safe on college premises and during off site activities.
Roots and Shoots ensures safeguarding legislation and guidance are adhered to and taken into account when developing and revisiting policies, procedures and associated arrangements.
Roots and Shoots provides a safe physical environment for its learners and staff, ensuring that premises are of a good standard. Health & Safety arrangements are in place to ensure adherence to current legislation and guidance.
Applicants will be subject to recruitment and selection procedures designed to emphasise Roots and Shoots commitment to the safeguarding of its learners and staff. The procedures include questioning at interview stage, verification of appropriate qualification, acquiring references, and necessary safety checks.
Roots and Shoots has a designated Safeguarding Lead responsible for learner protection, supporting staff in carrying out their safeguarding duties, and working closely with other services.
Roots and Shoots has policies and procedures in place to deal effectively with learner protection and safeguarding issues together with recording and monitoring processes. It is a condition of employment that all staff are trained to a level appropriate to their safeguarding responsibilities.
Roots and Shoots commitment to safeguarding is paramount to the success of learners. Trustees, senior management team and the “Safeguarding Working Group” will continue to keep abreast of developments in this area and implement arrangements to continually improve the safety and awareness of its learners, staff and volunteers.