OPAL National Schools Officer

OPAL National Schools Officer

SCOTLAND 

FSC is an educational charity that delivers its mission of ‘Bringing Environmental Understanding to All’ via its network of Field Centres throughout the United Kingdom.  We currently have an exciting new position of the OPAL NATIONAL SCHOOLS OFFICER (Scotland) with the Field Studies Council (FSC). 

OPAL is a community-focused education and research programme about the environment. The basic concept is to go out into the community to engage members of the public in environmental research and outdoor learning, to together explore and better understand the places where people live and work. The objectives are to give people a purpose to spend more time outdoors; to educate; to inspire a new generation of environmentalists; to encourage collaboration between statutory, voluntary and community sectors; and to gain a greater understanding of the state of the environment, thus contributing to research and policy.

Over the first 5 years of the OPAL project, the FSC was one of the leading partners in delivering its successes. We led the OPAL schools programme, publishing and distributing over 235,000 survey packs to schools. FSC delivered outdoor science sessions to over 13,500 pupils, 46% of which were in deprived areas or with hard-to-reach groups. Over 500 teachers, and group leaders, attended training sessions that covered how to use the survey packs and the practicalities of managing groups outdoors. 

This project will build upon previous work done in the OPAL project by expanding into new areas in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.   People most-in-need, who have not previously taken part in environmental science activities, will be given the opportunity to participate in recording, monitoring and educational activities. Planned beneficiaries will be of all ages, but particular attention under the new programme will be given to those aged 0-24 years, who will be provided with training, practical experience, tools and the support needed to get out into nature and record plants, animals and fungi. Participants will gain a better understanding of environmental issues affecting their area, through active involvement in monitoring, observation and assessment. They will have a better sense of ownership of their local environment and be able to take pride in their area, while at the same time having a positive impact on their local natural environment. They will experience increased confidence and self-esteem, develop new environmental skills and, as a new element to OPAL-UK, will be given the opportunity to gain an accredited qualification. The project will strengthen collaboration between statutory, voluntary and community sectors to break down barriers in communities and increase social cohesion.          

This role involves working with teaching staff and students from secondary schools to deliver an ambitious programme of outdoor learning in economically deprived areas of Scotland, with a focus on Glasgow. This includes providing engaging OPAL outdoor learning experiences for over 9,000 secondary school students and training over 200 teachers over the lifetime of the project.  These activities will predominantly be delivered in Parks and open spaces in Glasgow and other Scottish urban areas. Each session with young people will include an OPAL investigation (there are already 7 packs produced to use with young people). The successful candidate will ensure these sessions are closely linked to Curriculum for Excellence and engaging and relevant to all participating learners. The postholder will also work with FSC Scotland staff to develop their involvement in OPAL, and also to develop linked extension activities to be used throughout Scotland and at other FSC learning locations. 

FSC Salary Grade:  scale points 16 - 19, currently £22,911- £26,147 p.a.

Hours of work are based on a notional average of 40 per week. 

This is a fixed term post for 2 years and 6 months in the first instance. 

For further details and an application form:

visit our website:  www.field-studies-council.org/vacancies

e-mail:  hr@field-studies-council.org

or phone 01743 852119. 

Closing date is:   12 noon on Wednesday 8th January 2014.  

Interviews will be held on 14^th January 2014 and these may take place in Glasgow.

All teaching posts in Scotland are subject to detailed checks via Disclosure Scotland

FSC Charity Number: 313364 / SC039870