Outdoor Education Coach

As one of the leading international schools in Singapore, GESS is home to students from over 70 nations worldwide. We are for many families the home away from home and we are very happy that they are part of our school community which is based on mutual support and solidarity. With our language programme, we support our students to nurture this part of their identity and want to preserve the opportunity that they can grow up with multiple languages to be best prepared for an international environment. With the German International Abitur or the IB Programme they are perfectly prepared for their career after school. Our students enjoy lifelong learning and we take pride in our GESS values of respect, openness and diversity which our students will nurture in their life after school.

We were awarded with the “Deutsche Schulpreis” (German school prize) 2022, which was given to us for our extraordinary concept according to their motto “Make teaching better”. We stand out as the only German school abroad nominated for this award.

 

 

Job Purpose
The Outdoor Education Coach is a specialist practitioner who delivers the GESS Outdoor Education programme on campus, at local sites and on residentials and expeditions, under the direction of the Head of Outdoor Education. The Coach leads and co-leads outdoor learning sessions across Grades 1 to 12, runs co-curricular outdoor clubs, accompanies every residential and expedition as an activity leader responsible for a group, applies risk assessments on the ground and acts as a first responder.

The Coach works alongside class teachers during outdoor units so that teachers can focus on learning while the Coach manages the activity. The post holder maintains, checks and issues equipment, coordinates transport, bookings and permissions, and contributes to a culture in which students develop competence, confidence, resilience and care for the environment. Between them the two Coaches cover primary and secondary and complementary land-based and water-based skill sets. 

 

 

Main responsibilities

• Leading and co-leading outdoor learning sessions across Grades 1 to 12 on campus and at local sites, in line with the Outdoor Education progression framework
• Working alongside class teachers during outdoor units, managing the activity so that teachers can focus on learning
• Preparing sessions, sites and equipment; briefing students and staff; debriefing and facilitating student reflection
• Running co-curricular outdoor clubs and supporting award-scheme and expedition training
• Contributing to the planning and evaluation of units, residentials

 

Residentials and expeditions

• Accompanying every residential and expedition as an activity leader responsible for a group of students
• Delivering activities within the leader’s qualifications and the approved risk assessment, and supervising students at all times, including overnight
• Liaising with venue staff and external providers on site and monitoring their delivery against GESS standards

 

Safety

• Applying the school’s risk assessments, standard operating procedures and emergency plans on the ground, and conducting dynamic risk assessment throughout every activity
• Acting as a first responder: providing first aid, managing incidents and near misses and reporting them promptly and accurately
• Ensuring staff-to-student ratios, medical information, consent, communications and check-in procedures are followed for every activity
• Maintaining personal qualifications, first aid currency and logbook, and contributing to the department’s competency register

 

Equipment and logistics

• Maintaining, inspecting, repairing, issuing and recording all outdoor education equipment in line with manufacturer guidance and industry standards
• Coordinating transport, bookings, permissions, packing lists and site logistics for sessions, residentials and expeditions
• Managing equipment storage and the inventory, and advising the Head of Outdoor Education on replacement needs

 

School development

• Contributing to whole-school events, Enrichment Week and the school’s wellbeing and sustainability initiatives
• Sharing outdoor learning practice with teaching colleagues and supporting their training as accompanying staff
• Representing the GESS Outdoor Education programme positively with students, parents and the wider community

 

Key accountabilities

• Every session and trip led by the Coach is delivered safely, within the approved risk assessment and the Coach’s qualifications
• Equipment is safe, well maintained, accounted for and ready for use
• Students in the Coach’s groups are engaged, supervised and supported to meet the learning outcomes of the unit or expedition
• Logistics for sessions and trips are completed accurately and on time

 

Additional responsibilities

• Undertaking additional duties as determined by the Head of Outdoor Education
• Working flexible hours, including evenings, weekends and overnight and overseas trips, as required by the programme

 

• A degree or diploma, outdoor education, physical education, sport and recreation or a related field preferred
• Recognised instructor or leader awards from a national governing body in at least one discipline, for example climbing, abseiling, hiking, camp craft, mountain biking, kayaking, stand-up paddling, sailing, etc.
• Current outdoor first aid qualification (Wilderness First Aid or Wilderness First Responder, or equivalent) and, for water-based work, a current lifesaving or rescue qualification
• Experience leading outdoor activities and expeditions for school-age children and young people, ideally in a school or outdoor education centre
• Familiarity with the Singapore Standard for Outdoor Adventure Education and with local outdoor sites and providers is an advantage

 

• Sound risk judgement, calm under pressure and able to act decisively in an emergency
• Able to build positive relationships with students of all ages and to manage groups with warmth and firmness
• Committed to student safety, wellbeing and learning, and to safeguarding
• Reliable, well organised and attentive to detail, particularly in equipment care and logistics
• A collaborative team member who communicates clearly with colleagues, students, parents and providers
• Physically fit and able to lead and supervise activities at height, on water and in remote environments, including multi-day expeditions
• Flexible and willing to work irregular hours; a proactive and ‘can do’ attitude

Fair Recruitment and Safeguarding: We are committed to fair recruitment practices and safeguarding the welfare of all students. We ensure that our hiring processes are free from discrimination and bias on the basis of age, nationality, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, pregnancy status, caregiving responsibilities, race, religion, language or disability. As part of our commitment to safeguarding, we conduct thorough background checks on all candidates which include criminal background checks in all countries lived and worked in for the last ten years, as well as reference checks. Any offer is subject to the satisfactory completion of such checks.  Our school prioritises the safety and well-being of our students, and we expect all staff members to uphold these values.