Job pack: Summer School Activities Coordinator

 

Summary

  • Role:  Summer School Activities Coordinator

  • Salary: £18k pro-rata

  • Benefits: Accommodation, breakfast and dinner will be provided

  • Location: Lincoln College EPA Centre, Museum Road Oxford, OX1 3DR

  • Contract: Appointed for a fixed-term of w/c 8th July July – Saturday 3rd August 2019

  • Start date: ASAP

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1.   About OxFizz

OxFizz is a social enterprise that exists to bridge gaps in the UK’s education system, ensuring all students have fair access to top universities.

We know that even when they achieve the same grades as their peers, disadvantaged students are still less likely to win places at top universities like Oxford and Cambridge. We exist to level this playing field – running a free programme of support to help the most disadvantaged students build the knowledge, skills and confidence to make successful applications to competitive universities.

We achieve this on a cross-subsidy model, working across the education sector. We deliver services through our two brands: ‘Oxbridge Interviews’ and ‘Oxbridge International Summer School’. Where families and schools are fortunate enough to be able to pay for these services, we charge a fee. This work allows us to generate profits, and crucially expertise, to make the same services available free of charge on our access programme.

This year, for every 1 hour of paid support we deliver, we’re on track to deliver 2 free hours of free support on our access programme.

 

2.   About our summer school

We established the Oxbridge International Summer School in 2010.

We wanted to give students from all over the world the opportunity to experience university life in the UK, and study a subject they’re passionate about far beyond their school curriculum. Students join us to study with experts, meet amazing people, and discover university life. We welcome students aged 14 – 18.

We’re one of the smallest summer schools in Oxford, which helps us keep our academic focus. Out of hundreds of applications to join our summer school, we select the students who are the most motivated and excited to learn about the subject they’re passionate about. Students study in small class sizes of 3-4 students, and so have plenty of attention from our expert tutors.

Our expert tutors are volunteers, who give their time with us because they are motivated to support the next generation of students. The volunteers on our summer school are mainly postgraduate students, who have designed a bespoke course for the students introducing them to their subject, and sharing some of their own research interests. By volunteering on the summer school, our tutors are also raising money for a charity of their choice.

Students on the summer school live and study in Lincoln College EPA Centre. After morning tutorials, they have study time, and then participate in a full programme of extra-curricular activities. This is where you come in.

 

3.    About the role

Our Activities Coordinators are responsible for the day-to-day activities and running of our summer school programme.

You will be based onsite in the Lincoln College EPA Centre. You will coordinate the student activities on the summer school – including accompanying students on trips out, arranging games and quiz nights, and generally being a friendly and motivating role model for our students. In everything you do, you will ensure the welfare and safety of our students, making sure they have the best time possible.

Responsibilities:

  • Organisational - planning, coordinating and leading a wide programme of fun afternoon and evening activities, including punting excursions, theatre visits, and day trips to Cambridge and Blenheim Palace

  • Motivational - acting as a role model for our students, and work to ensure all students are engaging fully in the programme and having a fulfilling and memorable experience

  • Pastoral – ensuring the welfare and safety of our students, in accordance with our child safeguarding policies

  • Social media - regularly updating our social media feeds throughout the summer school, and contributing to our blog

  • Academic – this role could involve contribution to some academic aspects of the summer school, and you may be asked to run workshops on topics like debating, presentation skills, and interview skills

We are a small, collaborative team, and so all job descriptions are flexible. Every day will be different.

There is the possibility of extending this role on a commission basis after your placement in a number of ways: as a recruiter for volunteers (paid on commission), or the possibility of full-time work after graduating.

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4.   What you’ll gain from the experience

We can offer you:

  • Valuable experience working with young people

  • A chance to join a close-knit and friendly team, where you can expect to be supported and treated as an equal

  • A chance to gain experience in a dynamic, multifaceted role, developing across pastoral, academic and administrative fields

  • A chance to develop your own professional network, working and liaising with our team, and our excellent postgraduate volunteer tutors

  • A fun way to spend your summer, with July and the start of August in a (hopefully) sunny Oxford!

  • A competitive salary, with accommodation, breakfast and dinner provided for the duration of the programme.

You will be supported by our Programme Director for the duration of the summer school.

 

5.   What we’re looking for

We have designed this role with an Oxford or Cambridge student or graduate in mind. We’re looking for candidates with high energy levels, an outgoing personality, and lots of enthusiasm for working with young people.

Essential:

  • Experience of group and event leadership

  • Experience of working in a pressured environment, where you had to multitask

  • Ability to use your initiative when the situation requires it

  • Ability to motivate and cultivate a fun atmosphere

  • Ability to effectively manage and negotiate difficult situations

  • Ability to perform well under time constraints

  • Ability to support other team members and respond perceptively to where support is needed

  • Ability to use social media with ease, including Facebook, Twitter and Instagram

 

Desirable:

  • Experience of customer relations

  • Experience of working with young people

  • Experience of marketing; using social media in a professional capacity

  • Experience with photography or film-making

  • Knowledge of the summer school market

  • Knowledge of Oxford and Cambridge cities, and their respective universities

  • Qualified in First Aid

  • Qualified and trained in Child Protection

  • Qualified to drive, with a full clean driving license and access to a car

6.   Contract details

Activities Coordinators are required to be resident in Oxford for the entirety of the four weeks. Please note that our courses run seven days a week, with Activities Coordinators working for six days per week.

Accommodation, breakfast and dinner will be provided for the duration of the summer school. The salary for this role is £18,000 pro-rata.

 

7.   Application details

Applications should take the form of a one-page CV. This should be sent as a single PDF file (named after the candidate) to Rachael Griffiths (rachael.griffiths@st-hildas.ox.ac.uk)

The deadline for applying for this role is ASAP. Interviews for this position will take place in person or over Skype on the week commencing 8th July.

Please let Rachael know if you have any questions or queries about this role before you apply.