Apprentice Outdoor Activity Instructor

WALESBY FOREST

Newark (NG22 9NG)

Closes in 18 days (Friday 7 November 2025)

Posted on 13 October 2025

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Summary

Walesby Forest are looking for their next energetic, ambitious, and outgoing cohort of activity instructors to join their residential apprenticeship programme in the heart of Sherwood Forest, Nottinghamshire.

Wage

£15,704 for your first year, then could increase depending on your age

National Minimum Wage rate for apprentices

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Salary Details: Apprenticeship Minimum Wage

Training course
Outdoor activity instructor (level 3)
Hours
The role has seasonal peaks and troughs with longer days in the summer months and shorter in the winter. Shifts to be confirmed.

40 hours a week

Start date

Monday 5 January 2026

Duration

1 year 1 month

Positions available

12

Work

Most of your apprenticeship is spent working. You’ll learn on the job by getting hands-on experience.

What you'll do at work

  • Activity equipment checks
  • Activity equipment preparation
  • Leading activity sessions
  • Site housekeeping if required
  • Kitchen food servery if required
  • Evening activities for schools, groups and the public

Where you'll work

Scout Association
Walesby Forest Scout Centre
Walesby
Newark
NG22 9NG

Training

Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.

Training provider

CHANNEL TRAINING LIMITED

Training course

Outdoor activity instructor (level 3)

Understanding apprenticeship levels (opens in new tab)

What you'll learn

Course contents
  • Find information on: the activity type and timings; outcome requirements; participant age; medical information; equipment and resourcing allocation; venue; weather conditions.
  • Prepare sessions to achieve the required outcomesg. enjoyment, thrill seeking, personal or team challenges, acquisition of new knowledge or skills.
  • Select methods to meet all participant needs g. visual impairment, mental and physical ability.
  • Select methods to respond to potential changes in the environmentg. wind increasing in a sailing session or rain making conditions slippery underfoot.
  • Collect appropriate equipment and resources.
  • Ensure the venue is set-up and ready to be used.
  • Maintain self and group safety when delivering the session.
  • Deliver an effective session briefing with clear instruction and following organisational procedures.
  • Perform a competent demonstration of the skills required for the activity or subject at the appropriate level for the session.
  • Provide on-going instruction to encourage learning and progression.
  • Follow organisational operating procedures to adapt to changes in the environment. E.g. thunderstorm, a wind shift to offshore in a surfing session.
  • Select and implement organisational procedures to deal with routine problems.g. broken equipment.
  • Provide basic First Aid to respond to accidents in a safe, prompt and effective manner. e.g. injured participant.
  • Initiate organisational procedures to summon support in the case of incidents or accidents.
  • Use the organisations set approaches for learning delivery.
  • Support individual and group engagement and participation in the session g. energisers, sharing responsibilities, appropriate pace.
  • Change the pace of the session to match participants’ speed of learning.
  • Identify and support the individual participants’ needs g. give personal attention, active listening, allow additional time, encouragement.
  • Apply simple techniques to deal with conflict and challenging behaviour g. redirection, increasing responsibility.
  • Use simple review techniques to check the achievement of required outcomes e.g. thumbs up; rounds; memorable moments.
  • Signpost participants to progression routes.
  • Complete a session within time, including the restoration of the venue, return of equipment and resources and any logging or recording requirements.
  • Use participant feedback and own reflection to suggest improvements to sessions.
  • Communicate with customers and colleagues in a clear, concise and effective manner.
  • Handle information in a way that conforms to policy and protects data.
  • Assist with the development and preparation of resources and support colleagues delivering sessions
  • Actively encourage whole group participation and promote equality and diversity.
  • Undertake activities to further develop knowledge and personal skills.
  • Reflect on own performance and make refinements.

Training schedule

Walesby Forest, has been welcoming visitors since 1938, is an International Outdoor Adventure Activity Centre set in over 250 acres of forest, with over 30 adventure activities and a range of accommodation for a multitude of visitor groups.

We are a not for profit organisation offering bespoke and inclusive experiences aimed at educating our visitors in a fun and safe environment within the heart of the incredible Sherwood Forest in Robin Hood country.

We are looking for live in Activity Apprentice Instructors that enjoy waking up craving to serve hungry children in the morning, to then providing them with some of the best new experiences from the wide range of activities on offer, all for the forty thousand children that pass through the doors at Walesby Forest each year.

While at Walesby, there will be some challenging times and many evenings spent dancing the night away at discos with the children. We have a strong family atmosphere and if another team needs help, we all muck in to support each other.

Over the years the activity staff that have worked at Walesby have moved into activity jobs in Dubai, France, and Australia to name but a few. Walesby is well renowned for the time we take to help and support our staff to a better future in the activity industry.

The Level 3 Outdoor Activity Instructor Apprenticeship programme starting in January 2026, is a great opportunity, to learn more new skills and qualifications and walk away at the end with an internationally recognised NVQ.

The job means living on site with accommodation and meals provided, off set from your pay, but with living on site you can use all Walesby activities in your down time all year round. As this is a live onsite role, applicants need to be 18+.

Full training on all activities, either in-house training or national governing body certified, will be provided where applicable to ensure our high standards are maintained.

Some of the major events in 2026 outside the normal school activity days that you will be involved in are, the Big Fake Festival music weekend as well as scouting and guiding events.

Your accommodation consists of a one bed podded accommodation with your own shower and toilet with tv and WIFI, please note a security deposit will be taken at the start of season for the accommodation.

So, if you like what you see and want to join this team please do apply now and we will get back to you shortly.

Requirements

Share if you have other relevant qualifications and industry experience. The apprenticeship can be adjusted to reflect what you already know.

Skills

  • Communication skills
  • Organisation skills
  • Customer care skills
  • Team working
  • Physical fitness

Other requirements

This is a live-in position.

About this employer

Walesby Forest, welcoming visitors since 1938, is an International Outdoor Adventure Activity Centre set in over 250 acres of forest, with over 30 adventure activities and a range of accommodation for a multitude of visitor groups. We are a not for profit organisation offering bespoke and inclusive experiences aimed at educating our visitors in a fun and safe environment within the heart of the incredible Sherwood Forest in Robin Hood country.

https://www.walesbyforest.org.uk/ (opens in new tab)

Company benefits

This is a live-in position.

After this apprenticeship

  • Progression to Team Leader – if you can demonstrate exceptional ability combined with a great attitude and a desire to keep learning then we have team leader positions available

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

CHANNEL TRAINING LIMITED

Beth Levene

beth.levene@walesbyforest.org.uk

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC1000346228.

Apply now

Closes in 18 days (Friday 7 November 2025)

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