Student Activities Leader

Job Title:Activity Leader

Department:Operations

Reports to: Operations department

Contract Hours: Minimum 20 hour contract

Celtic English Academy, established in 2004, is a friendly and welcoming British Council
and IALC accredited English Language Teaching (ELT) centre in the heart of Cardiff. We
take pride in our small class sizes, great teachers and wonderful support staff.

We offer a range of beginner to advanced level English language courses for international students
including, but not limited to; General English, IELTS Exam Preparation, Cambridge Exam Preparation,
Teacher Development Courses, One-to-One lessons for adult students, and bespoke packaged
programmes for both adult and young learners.
Each year approximately 1300 adult and young learner students study with us from up to 50 different
nationalities. For young learners we also offer a Junior Summer Programme in Monmouth (Wales). We
teach 150 - 350 students at any one time and our students are accommodated in local homestays or
private student residence accommodation.
We strive to foster a friendly, motivating and student-focused environment where we can offer a great
service to all that study with us. We work as a team to support our students to meet their goals;
whether they are learning English to go to university, for their career or to simply communicate more
easily in our globalised world – we teach English today, so they can start their tomorrow.

Purpose of the Post

The main role of an Activity Leader is to engage with the students when they are outside of lessons and make sure they are communicating in English, interacting with one another, safe at all times and having an enjoyable experience.

The postholder needs to be flexible and communicative, adapting to the needs of the business and be prepared to work during the day, evening and weekend as required.

The Activity Leader will work a minimum of 20 hours per week with overtime of at least one Saturday a month required (paid on top of the regular hours) and possibly the occasional Sunday for new arrivals.

Overtime will also be available during the Summer and Winter social programmes when groups attend the school requesting activities, depending on the needs of the business

From January 2024 the hourly rate for this role will be £12 per hour

The postholder needs to be flexible and communicative, adapting to the needs of the business and be prepared to work during the day, evening and weekend as required.

Key responsibilities

• Leading organised local and regional trips and excursions on a weekly basis to places of interest e.g. Bath, St Fagans, Caerphilly Castle, etc. – responsible for the safety and wellbeing of students throughout the course of the trip or excursion
• Leading tours of Cardiff City centre to familiarise students with the city
• Communicate clearly and with sensitivity for the needs of students for whom English is not the first language
• Communicate with the holder of the academy emergency phone if there are any problems with trips or excursions out of hours (e.g. evening or weekend).
• Completing any relevant paperwork, such as risk assessments
• Being responsible for administering First Aid if necessary
• Be prepared to follow procedure in the event of a Major Incident
• Supervising during breaks and lunchtimes when students are out of class
• Providing welfare support for students and reporting potentially harmful situations or any safeguarding concerns.
• Help to deal with student enquiries, requests and grievances, reporting these to the Group and Junior Programme Officer and/or Group Sales Manager as appropriate

• Assist with the induction of new students
• Welcome new groups of students at the point of arrival and help them meet their homestay provider or get a taxi to where they are living
• Supporting Cafe's barista during lunchtimes and break times

Professional Development

• The post holder will be responsible for their professional development through on-going training as provided by the company.
• The post holder will have to complete Prevent training, Safeguarding L1 training and First Aid as a requirement of the position.

Other information applicable to post holder

1. General

• The post holder may be required to carry out other duties and responsibilities
• This job description may be subject to change and, if so, this will take place in consultation with the post holder

1. Data Protection & Confidentiality

• The post holder must maintain the confidentiality of information of students, staff and business following the General Data Protection Regulations 2018 and subsequent amendments.  All employees must not, without prior permission, disclose any information regarding students or staff

1. Equal opportunities

• All employees must fully understand and practise the Academy's Equality & Diversity policy, being particularly aware of religious, cultural and linguistic differences of students and employees
• The post holder must at all times carry out his/her responsibilities with regard to the company's Equal Opportunities Policy, as outlined in the Employee Handbook

1. Health & Safety at Work Act

• Employees must be aware of the responsibilities placed on them under the Health & Safety at Work Act (1974), and subsequent amendments, to ensure that agreed safety procedures are carried out to maintain a safe working environment for students, visitors and employees
  

1. Conduct and Performance

• The post holder is required to exercise professional judgement, skill and care to the best of their ability
• The post holder is required to conduct themselves to uphold the reputation of Celtic English Academy
• The post holder is expected to strive to achieve a motivational environment for staff and students
• The post holder is required to make a positive contribution to the commercial management of the academy

1. Applicable to all staff at Celtic English Academy

• All employees are expected to treat everyone associated with Celtic with courtesy and respect
• All employees must maintain the professional image of the academy with regards to punctuality, dress, teaching standards, etc
• All employees must deal with student concerns promptly and effectively, communicating needs to others as necessary

Person Specification

1. Education, training and qualifications
1.1 Maths and English at GCSE grade C or above Essential
1.2 First Aid and / or Mental Health First Aid valid certificate Desirable
1.3 Any training relating to pastoral care, safeguarding of under 18s or student welfare of international students Desirable
1.4 Willingness to work towards a safeguarding level 1,2 or 3 qualification Essential
1.5 Enhanced DBS Desirable

2. Knowledge
2.1 Computer literate with excellent knowledge of Microsoft Office including Word, Excel and PowerPoint Essential
2.2 Knowledge of the ELT or international education sector Desirable
2.3 Knowledge of the Data Protection Act Desirable

3. Experience
3.1 Experience of giving a high standard of customer service Essential
3.2 Experience working in a customer-facing, reception environment and taking enquiries, payments etc. Essential
3.3 Experience working in a fast-paced office, hospitality or administrative environment Desirable
3.4 Experience working with international students or customers from a wide range of cultures/countries Desirable 

4. Skills and Abilities
4.1 Excellent communication and interpersonal skills Essential
4.2 Excellent organisational skills with a good attention to detail Essential
4.3 Excellent administrative skills Essential
4.4 Excellent time-keeping skills Essential
4.5 Self-motivated, reliable, able to take the initiative Essential
4.6 Ability to meet deadlines and able to multi-task Essential
4.7 Effective at handling complaints, feedback and managing expectations Essential
4.8 Ability to work well under pressure during peak times Essential
4.9 Ability to work independently or as part of a team, sometimes with minimal supervision Essential
4.10 A level of English equivalent to C2 on the CEFR Essential
4.11 Abilities within sports, arts, music, drama or other recreational skills Desirable
4.12 A B1 Driving Licence or anything higher (e.g D1) Desirable

5 Attitude/Approach
5.1 Friendly, warm and welcoming personality with a positive and open mind Essential
5.2 Able to be patient and calm under pressure Essential
5.3 Positive approach to receive feedback and a willingness to seek support or further understanding Essential
5.4 Ability to be patient with and adapt communication for customers with a low level of English Essential
5.5 Ability to work with the ethos of the Mission, Vision and Values of the organisation. Essential
5.6 Ability to understand different people and perspectives or life experiences, including cultural difference Essential

Closing date 14/05/2024

---