Education Volunteer

Hours:

• As required to cover school and group bookings, these can take place any day of the week from April to October.
• School visits usually take place on a Monday or Tuesday when the museum is closed to the public
• Children's activities in the school holidays usually take place on a Thursday and Friday

Dress Code:

• Practical, comfortable and warm.

What’s in it for you?

• Becoming part of a friendly and dedicated team
• Meeting people from all walks of life and making new friends
• Improving your communication and work skills
• Enjoying new experiences and learning something new
• An opportunity to use and develop your skills and knowledge

Duties:

This is a selection of tasks the learning team undertake. Help with all or with just one or two is welcome:

• Welcome and assist a variety of groups, providing a high standard service
• Guide and inform about The Farmland Museum and Denny Abbey
• Lead a small group in a practical activity or object handling session
• Ensuring the learning resources and equipment are well cared for
• Support the development and wider use of the Education Resources collection for loaning to local organisations
• Help with planning and/or delivering family school holiday craft activities
• Contribute to development and improvement of new school and family learning activities

Optional duties:

The museum has a small volunteer team and we all work together to support the museum as best we can. From time to time you may be asked to help out

with event days, children’s craft activities, serving in the kiosk, tidying the site, helping in the café, and so on, as necessary. Training for specific tasks will be given when needed.

Training:

• Observation and shadowing of school/group sessions
• Mentoring by an experienced member of the team
• Printed planning, learning resources & handling objects are available for different sessions offered
• All relevant Farmland Museum Health & Safety, Safeguarding and collections related policies and procedures

Personal qualities required:

• Good communication skills
• Enjoys working in a busy team environment with other volunteers, specialist staff and trustees
• Has or would like to develop skills to lead a practical school group session
• Attention to and strict adherence to Museum’s Safeguarding Policy and procedures
• Willing to work with schools groups, young & family learners
• Able to work within structure and timings of a pre-planned and agreed session
• Happy to work independently at times, once feeling confident in the skills needed
• Previous experience of working with children is helpful, but not essential
• A recent knowledge of the national curriculum would be helpful but not essential

Notes:

1. An Application Form must be completed, emergency contact given and any medical conditions that may affect you while at the Museum notified in confidence to Museum Manager, who is a qualified First Aider.
2. All appointments will be at the discretion of the Museum Manager and subject to a 6 weeks’ probationary period to confirm that the voluntary position is the correct choice for both parties.
3. This role is purely voluntary and this arrangement is not meant to be a legally binding one or an employment contract.