We are seeking to appoint a Head of Outdoor Education and Duke of Edinburgh Expedition Lead to join our team who is a strong leader with excellent organisational skills and proven experience in planning and delivering DofE expeditions.

Description

We are seeking to appoint a Head of Outdoor Education and Duke of Edinburgh Expedition Lead to join our team on a part-time basis (2.5 days per week). The role includes weekday afternoon on-site hours (13:30–16:30), alongside additional time allocated for administrative duties. This is an all-year-round position offering a salary of circa £20,000 per annum and is available to start as soon as possible.

This is an exciting opportunity for a passionate and energetic professional who believes in outdoor education as more than just a career – someone who understands its power to instil a lifelong appreciation of the outdoors in young people and is eager to embrace this exciting role at Shiplake College.

The successful candidate will lead and develop a thriving outdoor education programme, embedding high-quality outdoor learning across the College and playing a central role in delivering and enhancing a well-established Duke of Edinburgh’s Award scheme.

We are looking for a strong leader with excellent organisational skills and proven experience in planning and delivering DofE expeditions. You will bring vision, drive, and adaptability to further develop this successful provision, creating meaningful and challenging experiences that build resilience, teamwork, and personal growth in young people.

There is the opportunity to combine this role with our CCF SSI position to create a full-time post. Please indicate on your application form whether you are applying for one or both roles.

Shiplake College is an independent boarding and day school for around 580 pupils aged 11 to 18. There has been a co-educational Sixth Form since 1998 and since September 2023 girls have been welcomed into Year 7 as the College became fully co-educational. Situated in 63 acres of beautiful countryside near Henley-on-Thames, we offer an outstanding education based on small class sizes, excellent facilities and dedicated teaching staff.

We offer a competitive salary, excellent free lunches and a contributory pension scheme together with access to our gym and sporting facilities and an excellent working environment.

Early applications are encouraged for this role. We reserve the right to appoint before the closing date if an early application from a suitable applicant is received.

Closing date: 10am on Friday 26 June 2026

Interviews to be held on receipt of application

A candidate pack together with an application form are available from

https://www.shiplake.org.uk/about-shiplake/job-vacancies

As we manage all recruitment directly, we kindly request that recruitment agencies do not contact us regarding this or any future vacancies.

Co-educational day and boarding school for ages 11-18

HMC, The Society of Heads, BSA

Shiplake College is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Applicants will be required to undergo child protection screening appropriate to the post, including checks with past employers and the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS). Shiplake College is also committed to equality of opportunity for all staff and applications from individuals are encouraged regardless of age, disability, sex, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief and marriage and civil partnerships.