Post: TCV Natural Networks trainee: Natural Networks Natural Learning Trainee

Bursary: £11,900

Location: St. Joseph’s Academy, Grassyards Rd, Kilmarnock, Ayrshire

Duration: 12 MONTHS

Start date: 25th January 2016

Closing date for Applications: 30th October 2015

Thank you for your interest in the TCV Natural Networks Training Programme. Natural Networks is a new project funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund. It will develop skills to facilitate the 'green network' of sites considered essential for the effective conservation of biodiversity, creating a UK wide web of expertise in managing and engaging people in ecological networks. The project will develop the skills of 32 trainees and hundreds of communities across the UK to understand, value, protect and increase the biodiversity of their local green places.

Project Background

Natural Learning is a new and innovative programme designed to encourage whole school and community action for the local environment. It aims to promote learning about biodiversity, the environment, health & wellbeing and sustainable living through “hands on” practical sessions in school grounds and nearby greenspace areas. The trainee will work with TCV’s Natural Learning Team in supporting the delivery of a school grounds and community greenspace programme that provides pupils with opportunities to build skills and experiences. The projects key aims are to:

·  Assist in the delivery of The Natural Learning Programme to nursery, primary, secondary and special schools in East Ayrshire including the delivery of School Green Gyms, natural play, accredited learning, teacher training and practical conservation sessions.

·  Deliver Natural Learning programmes and activities in conjunction with Curriculum for Excellence.

·  Work with staff and children in East Ayrshire schools to promote biodiversity, the natural world, environmental behaviour and outdoor learning.

·  Offer a wide range of CPD training to East Ayrshire Education staff.

·  Assist and support East Ayrshire staff to source and apply for funding for school projects.

Learning Outcomes

The Trainee will be supported to identify and achieve a range of learning outcomes, including filling skills gaps and opportunity to gain an accredited qualification. During the placement, the trainee will achieve a range of Green Network and Community Development learning outcomes, as follows.

Green Network Learning Outcomes

·  Developing and improving ecological networks: The trainee will work with communities supporting schools in East Ayrshire to improve their grounds and local greenspace areas to improve biodiversity and local wildlife. Staff, pupils, parents and the local community will be encouraged to get involved in creating areas for nature e.g. wildlife meadows, wild areas, planting native trees and hedgerow plants, insect homes and wildlife corridors. Schools will have the opportunity of liaising with other environmental organisations in the area for advice and support in developing their environmental areas e.g. RSPB, SWT, Ranger Service, SNH.

Schools will establish partnerships with other schools through input to and developing our Lead Teacher programme, in creating wildlife corridors connecting schools and the environment together to improve overall biodiversity in the area.

·  Surveying, managing and improving local greenspace: The trainee will support and assist staff and pupils in East Ayrshire Schools to get involved with TCV Scotland’s Citizen Science and Scotland Counts programme. A programme that allows schools the opportunity to get involved in “hands on” environmental monitoring programmes which contribute to national scientific data. The citizen science programme works with both primary and secondary schools and uses Curriculum for Excellence to encourage environmental recording and better awareness of local flood risk, river processes, climate studies and soil quality. Through practical “hands on” conservation sessions, the trainee will help pupils to improve their local environment, their own wellbeing, develop new skills and make their local community a better place to live in. Through citizen science pupils become better connected to nature and participate in activities which contribute to a healthy lifestyle. Schools can establish productive links with the local environment and the community, working with local people to learn and use new skills.

·  Engaging and supporting local communities to understand and protect local green places: The trainee will work with parental involvement in schools to establish volunteering communities for the protection of local greenspaces for children to access. Progressing through to communities understanding, valuing and protecting local green places for their biodiversity value.

Community Learning and Development Learning Outcomes

·  Enabling others to identify needs, plan and take action to protect and improve local green places: Community and school capacity building to establish personalised attachments to local green spaces across EAC.

·  Enabling others to develop skills: Support the school community by ensuring pupils and young people gain and develop skills through practical conservation tasks and activities in their local area. Engage with pupils and young people through outdoor games, activities and team building exercises.

Young people, their parents and school staff will have the opportunity to develop their practical skills, gain confidence, improve self-esteem, improve health and wellbeing, increase their social contact and are working towards making a positive contribution to their local community by developing environmental areas within the school grounds and beyond.

·  Working with individuals & communities to achieve change: By Trainee supporting schools participating in The Natural Learning Programme, pupils, staff and the whole community can take positive action to improve their local environment. By pupils getting involved in environmental projects this can inspire young people to become successful learners, confident individuals, responsible citizens and effective contributors. Pupils and the whole school community will be inspired and engaged about biodiversity and conservation in their local environment through practical environmental activities and sessions.

The trainee will also:

·  Identify underrepresented groups / communities that do not traditionally engage with the environment in Ayrshire. Through engagement with community workers community, group leaders and individuals the trainee will identify opportunities to include these communities in participating in the project and improving their input to developing the biodiversity of the area.

Person specification

Essential / Desirable
Qualifications:
Candidates will need to possess at least a basic knowledge of the environment, conservation and biodiversity. / ·  Educated to secondary level, including qualifications in English and maths
ALL
Experience:
·  A personal interest in natural history
· 
·  Working with individuals and groups from a wide range of backgrounds and abilities
·  / ·  Some experience of natural history identification
Some experience of working with young people
·  Experience of working outdoors (e.g. on a nature conservation project)
Strong leadership skills
Public speaking experience
· 
· 
Skills:
Excellent communication skills
Good numeracy and literacy skills, with NVQ 1 level (or equivalent) to demonstrate these skills
Basic competency in use of IT / Experience of working with volunteers and community groups
Experience delivering environmental education
· 
·  A knowledge of health and safety issues relating to outdoor activities
· 
· 
Personal Qualities:
A motivated individual with a passion, commitment and enthusiasm for protecting and a commitment to conserving our natural environment
Applicants must have the dedication and drive to work on their own initiative with community groups, individuals and volunteers.
Self-confidence, reliability and the ability to work with minimal supervision. Applicants must be able to work on their own initiative or as part of a team / A willingness to learn and share what is learned
· 
· 
· 
·  Organisational skills and excellent time management
Other:
An aptitude for engaging people and an interest in natural heritage are the most important qualities in a potential applicant.
A Standard Disclosure Check will be required
Some evening and / or weekend activities will be required / ·  Clean driving licence and 1 year’s (minimum) driving experience