Farm School Leader

An exciting new opportunity has arisen for a Farm School Leader to join our dynamic social mobility charity which exists to remove the barriers that prevent children and young people having meaningful access to the natural world. Through a week on one of our three heritage farms, Nethercott House in Devon, Lower Treginnis in Pembrokeshire, and Wick Court in Gloucestershire, children and young people experience increased learning and engagement, improved connections and wellbeing, and leave us with an enhanced sense of environmental citizenship. Visiting children are immersed in the natural world of countryside through a food and farming offer that allows them to participate in the seasonal tasks of the day: sowing, growing and harvesting in our kitchen gardens; caring for livestock and looking after the land; and cooking up a home-grown feast in the farmhouse kitchen. In partnership with our commercial farming neighbours, children experience the benefits of collaboration, enjoy plenty of physical activity, good food, and fresh air, and discover the magical rural environment that is full of new words, sounds and experiences to inspire their creativity. Spending time working alongside real farmers fosters children s independence and helps them to grow in confidence, develops their self-esteem, and encourages them to become more resilient.

About the Role

This is a hands-on role responsible for leading engaging countryside, food and farming sessions for groups of beneficiary children at Nethercott House, a smallholding with a productive vegetable garden and raising pigs, poultry, sheep, cattle, equines and bees.

As part of the wider farming operations team, the Farm School Leader will deliver knowledge rich farming and countryside sessions for visiting children as well helping with daily farming tasks and maintenance works.

As comfortable in wellies mucking out livestock as engaging with visiting children and teachers, this role requires a can-do attitude, endless positivity and enthusiasm, and a genuine passion for supporting disadvantaged children and young people to access the benefits of the countryside life.

The role requires the ability to undertake some work outside of 9 to 5 hours, including some weekend and lone working on a rota basis.

This position is a farm-based role which will require only very occasional travel within the Charity s regions in order to attend training or meetings, normally at one of our farms in Pembrokeshire or Gloucestershire.

For full details about the role, please see the Job Description and Person Specification and Job Information Pack.

Appointments will not be confirmed until the Charity has received two satisfactory professional references, evidence of the existing proof of right to work in the UK. Referees will not be contacted without candidates prior consent.

Farms for City Children is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

Successful candidates will be subject to a Social Media check and a DBS check at the appropriate level. Employment with the charity is conditional upon the charity being satisfied with the result of the DBS Check. Successful candidates will be asked to complete a self-declaration related to their criminal record or any information that would make them unsuitable to work with children. If you have lived or worked outside of the UK, additional information may be required from you to satisfy safer recruitment checks. Any criminal records information that is disclosed to the charity will be handled in accordance with any guidance and/or code of practice published by the DBS.

Farms for City Children is committed to promoting equality, diversity and inclusivity and supports and encourages under-represented groups. We seek people from a wide range of backgrounds, with diverse lived experience, and we welcome applications from all sections of the community.

What we Offer

In return you will receive a starting salary of £23,967.33 pro rata (actual salary £17,119.52) and a range of benefits, which include:

• 25 days annual leave plus 8 bank holidays
• 6% employer contribution to NEST pension scheme
• Employee Assistance Programme

How to Apply

Deadline for applications is Monday 3 February 2025

Interviews: Tuesday 11 February 2025

To apply, please go to the job advert on our website and upload your application form via the Apply button. You may also wish to fill out and upload our equal opportunities monitoring form.

We are unable to accept just cover letters and CVs.

NO AGENCIES PLEASE DIRECT RECRUITMENT ONLY