Salary / £26,000 - £32,000 depending on experience.
Job Description for Advert / This is an exciting opportunity to create, develop and lead a newly-formed learning programme at Coldharbour Mill.
Coldharbour Mill is seeking to appoint an experienced learning practitioner with a passion for designing and delivering innovative learning programmes. In this exciting time of development and expansion, the mill wishes to consolidate and build on its successful education provision through consultation, creative resource and programme development, and effective evaluation.
Coldharbour Mill is one of the oldest woollen mills in the UK having been in continuous production since 1797. It is now one of the top 40 tourist attractions in Devon according to Devon Association of Tourist Attractions (DATA) and "probably one of the best-preserved textile mill complexes in the country." -Historic England
Today the rich heritage lives on as one of the finest working wool museums where visitors are not just able to relive the sights and sounds of the industrial revolution but also see craftsmen and womenmaking traditional textiles, beautiful knitting yarn and hand-woven rugs.
There couldn’t be a better time to become involved with us as the mill is progressing into a new phase of life and education is one of the main areas being developed.
The Learning and Community Engagement Officer will be responsible for the development and delivery of creative learning programmes for all ages. This is a new role devised to facilitate the delivery of the Mill’s new 5-Year Education Strategy.
Hours of work are 40 hours per week, over 7 days (mainly weekdays) The role will require occasional travel and evening and weekend working for which time off in lieu will be given.
You will lead the development and delivery of consistent, inspirational, high-quality content for families and adult visitors, as well as schools, universities, communities and interest groups.
To achieve this, you will:
- Create a learning strategy to engage the public in line with the ethos of the Mill;
- Liaise with schools, colleges and teachers to promote the use of the collections and activities of the Mill in line with the national curriculum;
- Directly teach school groups education in line with the national Curriculum;
- Create and develop educational resources for visitors, schools, families and special interest groups;
- Manage programmes, budgets and teams of volunteers, paid-staff and freelancers;
- Work with other staff to develop and market the Mill and the events programme;
- Represent and promote the Mill on external educational bodies in order to establish a network of useful and productive partnerships.
- Establish partnerships and secure funding to develop the education and learning offer
- Support the Volunteer Co-ordinator in recruiting and managing & developing volunteers, including students, to ensure the delivery of a sustainable education programme
- Be a ‘hands-on’ member of the small team at the Mill.
- An in-depth knowledge of the current National Curriculum and other statutory education requirements and initiatives.
- A good understanding of issues associated with diversity, representation, social inclusion and access.
- Strong interpersonal skills, with the ability to network, negotiate and enthuse.
- The ability to work independently and as part of a team.
- The ability to work under pressure with a positive attitude and to meet deadlines, including a proven ability to manage multiple projects/targets simultaneously.
- Teaching experience in a school, museum or other visitor attraction, working with school groups.
- Teaching qualification or sector specific equivalent
- Experience leading and managing projects and teams with demonstrable project management, strategy development and leadership skills.
- Good knowledge of, and experience in, working with school audiences to deliver the National Curriculum.
- Experience and success in the area of leading INSET training and CPD
All applications need to be sent to Jackie Dawkins at 5p.m. on Friday 23rd February 2018.
Job Specification / In this document, you will find the key areas of responsibility for the Learning and Community Engagement Officer role at Coldharbour Mill.
This is an exciting opportunity to create, develop and lead a newly-formed learning programme at Coldharbour Mill.
Coldharbour Mill is seeking to appoint an experienced learning practitioner with a passion for designing and delivering innovative learning programmes. In this exciting time of development and expansion, the mill wishes to consolidate and build on its successful education provision through consultation, creative resource and programme development, and effective evaluation.
Coldharbour Mill is one of the oldest woollen mills in the UK having been in continuous production since 1797. It is now one of the top 40 tourist attractions in Devon according to Devon Association of Tourist Attractions (DATA) and "probably one of the best-preserved textile mill complexes in the country." -Historic England
Today the rich heritage lives on as one of the finest working wool museums where visitors are not just able to relive the sights and sounds of the industrial revolution but also see craftsmen and womenmaking traditional textiles, beautiful knitting yarn and hand-woven rugs.
There couldn’t be a better time to become involved with us as the mill is progressing into a new phase of life and education is one of the main areas being developed.
The Learning and Community Engagement Officer will be responsible for the development and delivery of creative learning programmes for all ages. This is a new role devised to facilitate the delivery of the Mill’s new 5-Year Education Strategy.
Hours of work are 40 hours per week, over 7 days (mainly weekdays) The role will require occasional travel and evening and weekend working for which time off in lieu will be given.
You will lead the development and delivery of consistent, inspirational, high-quality content for families and adult visitors, as well as schools, universities, communities and interest groups.
To apply for this exciting post, please send your most recent C.V. and a written statement explaining how you have the knowledge, skills and experience for the role. We require two references with your application, one of whom should be your most recent employer.
All applications need to be sent to Martin Halse at by 5p.m. on Friday 23rd February 2018.
Role / Learning and Community Engagement Officer
Salary / £26,000 - £32,000 depending on experience.
Responsible to / CEO and Trustees
Responsible for / Volunteer Co-Ordinator, volunteers, any future Education Department Staff
The Learning and Community Engagement Officer will:
- Create a learning strategy to engage the public in line with the ethos of the Mill;
- Develop programmes of talks, activities and workshops around particular exhibitions or in response to particular themes or annual festivals;
- Liaise with schools, colleges and teachers to promote the use of the collections and activities of the Mill in line with the national curriculum;
- Directly teach school groups education in line with the national Curriculum;
- Create and develop educational resources for visitors, schools, families and special interest groups;
- Deliver talks, workshops and activities in partnership with storytellers, craftspeople, artists and other freelance specialists;
- Manage programmes, budgets and teams of volunteers, paid-staff and freelancers; OK
- Facilitate activities in the local community in response to requests from schools and community groups or to promote particular exhibitions;
- Collate, analyse and apply feedback on the educational activities provided; report findings to the board of trustees and prepare action plans for further development
- Work with other staff to develop and market the Mill and the events programme;
- Represent and promote the Mill on external educational bodies in order to establish a network of useful and productive partnerships.
- Establish partnerships and secure funding to develop the education and learning offer
- Work with the wider team to ensure all learning provision is inclusive, culturally sensitive and physically and intellectually accessible.
- Manage and maintain the organisation of bookings to ensure efficient management
- Develop and work with community and teacher consultation groups on a regular basis to inform the development of the learning programmes.
- Work within the framework of current learning theory and practice.
- Support the implementation of engagement initiatives within the mill, such as the Kids in Museums manifesto and The Arts Award.
- Work with relevant departments across the Mill to champion good practice and relevant provision for school audiences.
- Be responsible for the Volunteer Co-ordinator.
- Support the Volunteer Co-ordinator in recruiting and managing & developing volunteers, including students, to ensure the delivery of a sustainable education programme
- Act as the site’s nominated safeguarding officer.
- Ensure that safeguarding policies and procedures are up to date and relevant staff and volunteers receive training.
- Ensure that DBS checks for relevant staff and volunteers are up to date.
- Be a ‘hands-on’ member of the small team at the Mill.
- Act as duty manager when required and any other duties as reasonably requested.
Person Specification / This Person Specification highlights the knowledge, skills and experience needed for the role of Learning and Community Engagement Officer at Coldharbour Mill.
Essential / Desirable
Knowledge /
- An in-depth knowledge of the current National Curriculum and other statutory education requirements and initiatives.
- Knowledge of legislation, current issues and developments in education as well as the roles and responsibilities and structure of schools.
- A good understanding of issues associated with diversity, representation, social inclusion and access.
- An excellent knowledge of DFE strategic priorities for children and young people to encourage creative participation in cultural activity
- A good understanding of learning within a heritage/arts/visitor attraction setting
- Knowledge of best practice in community consultation
- Knowledge of funding and grant streams desirable
- A good understanding of interpretation within a heritage/arts/visitor attraction setting.
Skills /
- Strong interpersonal skills, with the ability to network, negotiate and enthuse.
- High levels of written and verbal communication skills, with excellent attention to detail, presentation and proof-reading skills.
- Clear vision and creativity.
- An awareness of the needs of clients of the education sector.
- Good computer skills.
- Problem-solving and analytical skills.
- Knowledge of the duties and responsibilities of school governing bodies.
- The ability to adapt to and manage change.
- Excellent organisational skills.
- Numerical skills and the ability to manage budgets.
- The ability to work independently and as part of a team.
- The ability to work under pressure with a positive attitude and to meet deadlines, including a proven ability to manage multiple projects/targets simultaneously.
- Excellent time management and planning skills
- Ability to manage your own workload and complete tasks independently
- Ability to maintain in accordance to the company’s ethos and policies
- Ability to take a ‘hands-on’ approach.
Experience /
- Teaching experience in a school, museum or other visitor attraction, working with school groups.
- Teaching qualification or sector specific equivalent
- Experience leading and managing projects and teams with demonstrable project management, strategy development and leadership skills.
- Experience working collaboratively including external partnerships
- Experience of meeting needs across a broad spectrum and how to develop learning experiences to meet those needs to deliver intended learning outcomes.
- Experience in working with SEND learners.
- Good knowledge of, and experience in, working with school audiences to deliver the National Curriculum.
- Experience and success in the area of leading INSET training and CPD
- Ability and experience in developing effective targets for improvement – for both professional development and education provision/offer.
- Experience in a managerial or senior leadership role
- Experience of using objects and archives to support curriculum-linked learning
- Experience in managing projects, including funded projects, working to funding deadlines and within budgetary limits
- Event management experience
- Experience developing and leading learning programmes and projects in a heritage site or visitor attraction
- Experience working collaboratively, in partnership with experts, freelancers, artists, festivals, scientists and educational organisations.
Recommended Sites /
- Museum Job sites
- TES
- Devon/Cornwall/Dorset/Somerset government job sites
- Guardian Jobs
Ideas for Interviews/selection day /
- Teach a small group– ability to teach groups and engage
- Task that looks at their organisational skillsand written communication– project manager skills, organisation and communication skills
- Meet and informal chat situation with stakeholders (anyone who is available – trustees/volunteers/us)–communication and social skills,personal attributes etc.This can just be over lunch.
- Task that asks them to look at the Mill and choose an education possibility and plan what and how they would use it – ability to spot educational potential and write educational programmes. This could be extended to: find education potential for the following groups – families, school, adult and ask them to plan how this could be used.
- Interview with specific questions linked to the key skills, knowledge and experience – including their ability to be the safeguarding lead.