Job Description

JOB DESCRIPTION

Title

: Activity Programme Lead - Children's Outdoor Education

Location

: Farmoor + up to 2 days per week in Warehouse (Stanton Harcourt)

Basis

: Temp - Perm (Contract until Sep 2026, with view to make permanent)

Start Date:

January 2026 (Flexible)

Hours

: Monday to Friday 9am-5pm, except during Easter, Summer and October school holidays when hours will be 8am - 6pm

Reporting to:

Operations and Training Manager

Salary

: 25-29,000 per annum (depending on qualifications and experience) plus 1,500 annual loyalty bonus

About Us:

Ultimate Activity Camps are a leading provider of holiday childcare in the UK, creating lifelong memories through positive experiences. Our trusted holiday camps operate at over 40 independent schools across southern England, offering outstanding and safe childcare and activity experiences for children aged 4 to 14. From sports-specific and language programmes, to bushcraft, cookery, tech and multi-activity, our programmes are premium quality and engaging.

Summary of Position

The Activity Programme Lead plays a crucial role in our Operations Team, supporting the preparation and delivery of high-quality holiday programmes, in particular our 'Ultimate Survival' bushcraft programme. Working closely within the Operations Team, this role involves activity development, staff training, resource preparation and ensuring a quality experience is being delivered to children by our seasonal staff. The Ultimate Survival Programme Lead will support our core multi-activity programme throughout the year; however, in the lead-up to and during the summer season, the primary focus of the role will shift to the Ultimate Survival programme.

This role plays a key part in ensuring operational quality support for our camps, to ensure that they are running successfully, safely and that we are delivering the outstanding experience we promise our parents, children and host schools.

JOB DESCRIPTION

Responsibilities:

Camp Operations (all year, all programmes)

o Lead and support with camp set ups and pack down at the start and end of school holiday periods.

o Visit camps to monitor and support programme delivery, ensuring high standards and adapting activities as needed.

o Communicate issues involving camps, staff, or host schools to the relevant Head Office departments.

o Act as a Regional Operations Contact to support camp staff during the season.

o Support the Operations Team with the planning and delivery of our multi- activity training days.

o Support with equipment preparation and maintenance across all programmes.

o Work with the Operations Team to conduct our accident analysis annually and update risk assessments and training materials accordingly.

Child Welfare (all year)

o Ensure compliance with child welfare policies and safeguarding standards, following direction from the Senior Operations Team and DSL.

o Work with the Senior Operations Team and Customer Support Team to investigate and respond to incidents, accidents or complaints from camp.

o Complete camp audits to verify implementation of policies and safeguarding knowledge among staff.

Product Development (Ultimate Survival Focus):

o Oversee updates to the Ultimate Survival activity programme to ensure the activities remain exciting, fun and inspiring whilst at the same time remaining safe and commercially viable.

o Review of the Ultimate Survival Programme annually, considering stakeholder feedback, providing suggestions for changes/improvements.

o Coordinate kit delivery with the Logistics Manager and run Ultimate Survival Camp Inductions.

o With support of the Logistics Manager, maintain stock levels and purchase new equipment for the programme.

Staff Recruitment and Management (Ultimate Survival Focus)

o Support the Ultimate Survival recruitment co-ordinator to attract, filter and assess camp staff candidates and interview key camp staff (such as Course Leaders).

o Lead in the performance management of on camp staff.

Staff Training and Assessment (Ultimate Survival Focus):

o Develop and update activity training resources and research new training activities.

o Oversee and organise the delivery of our on-camp US staff training programme.

o Provide additional training support to on-camp staff during camp as required

o Monitor and assess the quality of delivery, identifying any areas for improvement for future training.

Secondary Responsibilities

o Marketing activities including event work.

o Other ad hoc office support outside of busy periods

Essential Requirements:

Strong organisation and communication skills, candidates must be confident in their ability to support staff, lead training and lead a group of children and not shy away from responsibility.

Excellent communicator, with great face-to-face skills. Candidates must be confident in their ability to interact with parents, camp staff and colleagues.

Good time management and planning skills.

A pro-active team player, able to adapt to dynamic situations and challenges on camp.

Someone looking for a hugely rewarding and meaningful job, that's looking to broaden their career in the childcare or bushcraft sector.

Previous experience within outdoor education (Bush craft specific) and significant experience working with children in an outdoor setting.

Be highly computer literate with experience using Word and Excel.

Full, clean driving licence with car (hire cars provided during holiday periods)

Desirable Requirements:

Management/team leader experience

A breadth and depth of knowledge within the field of outdoor education

Qualified in relevant NGBs, outdoor education or teaching.

Benefits

Generous holiday allowance: up to 35 days plus bank holidays annually,plus time in lieu for occasional weekend work (around key operating seasons)

CPD and training opportunities through the company and Dukes Education

Free onsite parking

Regular company socials

Company pension scheme

Part of a highly respected organisation: As part of Dukes Education Ltd, Ultimate Activity Company Ltd staff reap the benefits of being part of a highly successful and respected educational group.

Free Employee Assistance Programme

The Ultimate Activity Company is committed to safeguarding and ensuring the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all employees and volunteers to share this commitment. All appointments are subject to relevant checks in line with Safer Recruitment guidelines, including, but not limited to, DBS Disclosure checks, identity checks, internet search, employment history and reference checks, and international criminal record checks where required.

Job Types: Full-time, Permanent

Pay: 25,000.00-29,000.00 per year

Benefits:

Childcare Company events Employee discount Free or subsidised travel Free parking Health & wellbeing programme Life insurance On-site parking Referral programme
Experience:

Childrens Holiday Camp: 1 year (preferred)
Licence/Certification:

Driving Licence (required)
Work Location: In person