Off the Page!
Summer School Leader
JOB DESCRIPTION
Date: 17th – 28th August 2015 (one week preparation, one week delivery)
Based at: Calderstones Mansion House, Calderstones Park, Liverpool
Reporting to: Celia Jordan – Off the Page Manager
Salary: £150 per day
About The Reader Organisation
The Reader Organisation (TRO) is a national charity dedicated to bringing about a
Reading Revolution - we are making it possible for people of all ages, backgrounds and
abilities to enjoy and actively engage with literature on a deep and personal level. We
believe that reading is a force for social good that can be used to build community and
enhance lives, reduce social isolation and help socially disadvantaged people to
maximise their potential. Our work encourages people of all ages and backgrounds, in
whatever life situation they find themselves, to become readers, to extend their
reading habits, and to share their reading experiences with others.
Our beliefs and values
Our beliefs and values shape our culture and guide us in our work both internally and
externally. These are principles that we hope will help everyone who works for us,
everyone who works with us and everyone with whom we read understand who we
are, what we stand for and how we do things.
It’s really important that we recruit people who feel they can work in accordance with
these values:
Great literature is at our heart
We read to lead
We are kind but bold
We respect individuality but work as a team
We value innovation and find ways to live with change
We have strong boundaries and are well supported
We celebrate success but learn from our mistakes
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We work whole-heartedly and value our wellbeing
This role sits at the centre of our shared reading work and combines and embodies
many of the above, especially ‘Great literature is at our heart’, ‘We are kind but bold’
and, ‘We have strong boundaries and are well supported’.
Please read more about our purpose, beliefs and values here:
http://www.thereader.org.uk/who-we-are/our-values-and-beliefs.aspx
ABOUT THIS ROLE
We are looking for a charismatic, entertaining and enthusiastic leader with experience
of working with children and young people to lead a week-long literary Summer School
for 40 disadvantaged 11-16 year olds. You will be working in the mansion house at
Calderstones as the head of a dynamic, literary and volunteer team who will be helping
to deliver our shared reading groups and all related spin off activities throughout the
week.
You will spend five working days before the Summer School (dates to be negotiated)
planning the implementation of activities and you will oversee the entire Summer
School, inspiring and motivating the young people and staff involved, as well as
managing any problems our young people may have. You must be exceptional with
children, bring creative ideas and have an ability to assert authority and command a
room in an exciting way! A generosity of spirit and focus on positive reinforcement
over punishment are essential for this role.
We hope that after the Summer School, our young people will interpret books with
fresh, creative eyes and be enthused by our love of life and great literature. It is also a
chance for children to experience activities and events that they may otherwise have
not had exposure of and we hope this imparts new found passions and creates life-long
memories, as well an enhanced love of reading.
This opportunity will develop professional skills in any work with children and young
people as well as events planning and leadership/management.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:
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Plan a creative theme which will act as a thread throughout the week.
Attend five days of preparation, at Calderstones, prior to delivery, offer creative ideas and
timetable a structure for the implementation of the Summer School activities
Engender a love of reading amongst the children whom you are leading
Organise and lead the entire summer school in their activities and reading groups
Be a strong and engaging figure-head
Look after the wellbeing and welfare of all the children present, including appropriately
referring any safeguarding concerns
Help out wherever necessary and to the best of your ability with any practical or
organisational needs on the days of delivery
Ensure Health and Safety and Disciplinary codes are understood and obeyed
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Enforce any disciplinary codes and where necessary deal with particularly challenging
behaviour
• Be friendly, kind and cheerful with everybody involved in the project
• Work within set policies, procedures and standards of volunteer service at The Reader
Organisation
PERSON SPECIFICATION
Personal Attributes, Skills, General and Special Knowledge
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Share our ethos and values
Believe in the power of reading to change young lives
Exceptional leader, with outstanding communication skills, able to engage an audience
as well as assert authority
Experience of working (or volunteering) with children and young people, in or out of
school
Excellent time management skills in order to manage a busy, varied and demanding
workload
Flexible, creative, willing and able – an enthusiastic and energetic front-runner
Great planner with ability to adapt to unforeseen circumstances or new priorities at short
notice
A passion for reading and working with young people
Experience of management or leadership of people and volunteers
Excellent patience and understanding of others
Motivated by the desire to promote reading for pleasure as a way of having fun
Excellent awareness of the needs of others around you
Awareness of child safeguarding
Ability to use own initiative and work independently without supervision
How to Apply:
Note. Please do not just send in a CV. We will only consider applications that adhere
to the following process Visit www.thereader.org.uk and select the ‘Working With Us’ tab where you will be
able to view the full job description and download an application form. Please complete
the application form and submit a covering letter, explaining how you meet the
requirements of this role, to nicolacopeland@thereader.org.uk
Break down how you would structure a typical day of the summer school, listing the
most serious risks. (Please also limit this exercise to more than 2 sides of A4.)
Plan a brief presentation of how you would implement your chosen creative theme.
Please also include at least one reference. (No more than 1 side of A4.)
Deadline: Thursday 16th July, 9am
Interviews: Thursday 23rd July (times tbc)
Role begins: 17th August 2015
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