Head of Outdoor Education

Tanglin Mission

Tanglin Trust School Singapore has a long tradition of providing British-based learning with an international perspective. At Tanglin we strive to make every individual feel valued, happy and successful. Responsibility, enthusiasm and participation are actively encouraged and integrity is prized. Working together in a safe, caring yet stimulating environment, we set high expectations whilst offering strong support, resulting in a community of lifelong learners who can contribute with confidence to our world.

Our Vision

We aspire to be the best school in the world with a dynamic learning community which nurtures and inspires every individual to be the best they can be. Our core values of Respect, Responsibility and Purpose are at the heart of everything we do across the school.

The Role

Our objective is to enable young people to move beyond the limits of what they think possible, balancing opportunity, risk and challenge to give them every possible opportunity to thrive. The ability to deliver high quality, challenging and safe programmes is crucial.

The Head of Outdoor Education at Tanglin Trust School will have wide experience and combine the ability to prioritise with excellent critical judgement. You will oversee the delivery of all school expeditions, in South East Asia and further afield, leading a team dedicated to creating safe and varied experiences for students aged from 3 to 18. You will be motivated to provide opportunities that Tanglin students will remember for the rest of their lives. You will be pragmatic, be able to work under pressure and execute dynamic risk assessments. You will work in changing environments with young people. The Head of Outdoor Education will be expected to be in the field for some time each year.

The role reports to the Director of Co-Curriculum.

Key Responsibilities

• Design and deliver multi-disciplinary programmes for young people from a range of backgrounds, ages and nationalities;
• Establish and develop the Tanglin Exploration Society;
• Provide a wide range of weekly activities within the Co-Curriculum as well as landmark trip opportunities;
• Design and implement safety procedures;
• Complete regular inventories and keep an accurate record of the use of equipment;
• Manage kit requirements and undertake regular maintenance;
• Design and deliver evaluations and reports;
• Have oversight of expedition safeguarding procedures, reporting to the school’s Designated Safeguarding Lead;
• Identify expedition destinations in line with Tanglin’s mission statement to prioritise environmental awareness and protection;
• Work with the three schools to plan and deliver whole-year residential trips;
• Manage programme budgets to ensure an effective balance of value for money, safety and positive outcomes;
• Work with the Senior Leadership Teams on strategy and priorities;
• Work with the Trips and Visits Manager to ensure liaison at every stage of planning;
• Line manage other expedition staff as required;
• Support and help teachers implementing outdoor learning (Forest School programme, Duke of Edinburgh);
• Attend planning meetings with school leadership teams as required;
• Maintain an open channel of communication with all stakeholders internally and external.

Person Specifications

• Inspires confidence, respect and commitment;
• Evokes courage, self-belief and instil a sense of community;
• Is an authentic role model, able to demonstrate Tanglin’s core values of Respect, Responsibility, and Purpose;
• Excellent risk and contingency management skills;
• Maintains high standards whatever the pressures;
• Makes effective decisions during fast-paced, unpredictable and developing situations;
• An experienced, approachable and supportive line manager;
• Financial acumen - ability to manage and stay on budget;
• High levels of integrity and sound judgement;
• IT proficient including office software;
• Believes in the opportunities for positive change that expeditions and outdoor education provide for young people;
• Able to work some weekends, evenings, and school holiday;
• Used to working in a outdoor environment and loves the outdoors whatever the weather;
• Positive, resilient personality and a problem-solving skill-set;
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills;
• Shares our holistic vision of education and is excited to contribute to the co-curricular and pastoral aspects of life at the school;
• Strong interpersonal skills and can build collaborative relationships;
• Proactive and continually strives for improvement.

Professional Qualifications

• Mountain Leader.
• Rock climbing: RCI, CWA, MCI or equivalent.
• Mountain First Aid certificate or equivalent.