Apprentice Activity Support (Outdoor Activity Instructor Level 3)
OUTDOOR-AMBITION LTD
Darlington (DL3 0PX)
Closes on Sunday 30 November 2025
Posted on 21 October 2025
Contents
Summary
We’re looking for an enthusiastic and motivated Apprentice Activity Support team member to join us. This is an exciting opportunity for someone who loves the outdoors, enjoys working with young people, and wants to build a meaningful career in alternative education.
- Wage
-
£15,704 for your first year, then could increase depending on your age
National Minimum Wage rate for apprentices
- Training course
- Outdoor activity instructor (level 3)
- Hours
-
8am - 5pm 5 days out of 7 including weekends.
40 hours a week
- Start date
-
Monday 1 December 2025
- Duration
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1 year
- Positions available
-
4
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
About Outdoor Ambition Ltd.
Outdoor Ambition Ltd is a successful and growing organisation based in the North East of England. We provide Alternative Education for young people aged 5–19 who face barriers to accessing mainstream education. Our programmes use outdoor and adventurous learning to engage students, build confidence, and promote personal development.
We work with young people who may be disengaged from classroom learning or have additional needs, including Special Educational Needs (SEN) and Social, Emotional, and Mental Health (SEMH) challenges. Our team is inclusive, caring, and passionate about making a difference.
The Opportunity
We’re looking for an enthusiastic and motivated Apprentice Activity Support team member to join us. This is an exciting opportunity for someone who loves the outdoors, enjoys working with young people, and wants to build a meaningful career in alternative education.
As part of your apprenticeship, you’ll work toward the Outdoor Activity Instructor Level 3 qualification, gaining hands-on experience while supporting young people who may be at risk of disengaging from education.
You’ll be part of a small, dedicated team where flexibility, initiative, and a positive attitude are essential. The role involves working across all areas of the business to ensure smooth operations and high-quality delivery.
Working Hours & Flexibility
- Standard hours: 8:00am – 5:00pm, 5 days out of 7 (including weekends)
- Due to the nature of the role and its changing schedule, you must hold a full UK driving licence and be flexible in your working hours. You may be required to work additional hours, including early mornings, evenings, and weekends, with a minimum of one week's notice.
Key Responsibilities
- Assist in delivering outdoor learning sessions and activities
- Work 1:1 or in small groups with students, including those with SEMH needs
- Support student engagement, development, and personal growth
- Act as a positive role model, upholding Outdoor Ambition’s values
- Help plan and deliver safe, effective, and enjoyable sessions
- Support students in both outdoor and indoor environments
What We Offer
- Contributory Company Pension Scheme
- Fully funded CPD opportunities (repayable if leaving within 6 months)
- Free parking and cycle storage
- Generous annual leave entitlement
- Free uniform
- Overtime options
- Counselling and Wellbeing Portal
Safer Recruitment:
Outdoor Ambition is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of the young people we work with. All staff are expected to share this commitment.
An enhanced DBS check is required for successful applicants.
Pre-employment checks, including online searches, will be conducted in line with Keeping Children Safe in Education 2025.
Location
Outdoor Ambition Ltd
21 Lakeland Estates Business Park, Faverdale North,
Darlington, County Durham, DL3 0PX
Note: All staff work outdoors across various locations in the North East.
Where you'll work
21 Lakeland Estates Business Park, Faverdale North
Darlington
DL3 0PX
Training
Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.
Training provider
SKERN LODGE 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
Apprenticeship Training Provided by Skern Training
- 1-to-1 coaching and observations with a dedicated training specialist
- Group face-to-face teaching delivered in blocks throughout the year at a central location
- Remote tutorials with your trainer
- Access to an e-learning platform with activities and coursework
Requirements
Desirable qualifications
GCSE or equivalent in:
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
- Problem solving skills
- Team working
- Initiative
- Non judgemental
- Patience
- Physical fitness
Other requirements
• You’ll work 45 hours per week, on a rota basis (5 days out of 7) • You must be able to work across multiple locations in the North East, including Darlington and Newburn • Driving is essential due to the nature of the role and travel requirements
About this employer
Outdoor Ambition Limited is a successful and growing business based in the North East of England which provides Alternative Education to students and young people aged 5-19 yrs through educational outdoor opportunities and other pursuits.
After this apprenticeship
We offer individual career development opportunities in outdoor education, including progression through governing bodies and qualifications in areas such as climbing, paddling, and more — tailored to your interests and goals.
Ask a question
The contact for this apprenticeship is:
SKERN LODGE LIMITED
The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC1000347484.
Apply now
Closes on Sunday 30 November 2025
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