Group Leaders - Cokethorpe Camps
Cokethorpe Camps offers an exciting opportunity to join a dynamic team delivering unforgettable experiences for children aged 5 to 13. Operating during six weeks of summer holidays and across Easter, our camps provide a safe, fun, and engaging environment with around 100 children on-site daily. Activities include outdoor games, performing arts, sports, bushcraft, and arts and crafts, led by a professional and supportive team.
We are seeking enthusiastic, proactive, and reliable individuals for the following roles:
Group Leader (£22.90 per hour, inclusive of holiday pay)
Responsibilities:
As a Group Leader, you will be passionate about providing unforgettable experiences for children. You will lead a small team, ensuring the camp runs to a high standard in line with school policies. Your role will involve delivering a wide range of activities, managing daily schedules, and troubleshooting issues as they arise. Liaising with other Group Leaders and the Camps Manager will be a key part of the role to ensure each day can maximise its potential. You will need to think on your feet to solve problems, communicate effectively with parents, and foster a supportive and collaborative team environment. Ensuring children’s safety and well-being at all times, you will deliver and support engaging, age-appropriate activities.
Requirements:
• Level 3 qualification or above in childcare, sports coaching, or a related field
• Strong leadership experience in managing children’s programmes or camps
• Exceptional organisational and problem-solving skills
• First Aid certification and previous experience supervising groups in dynamic environments
• Experience working with children, ensuring their safety and well-being
• Enthusiasm for delivering engaging, structured activities
• Strong communication, adaptability, and teamwork skills.
Early Years Leader (£22.90 per hour, inclusive of holiday pay)
Responsibilities:
As an Early Years Group Leader, you will be dedicated to creating a nurturing and stimulating environment for young children. You will oversee and manage the Early Years group (ages 5 to 7), ensuring the camp runs smoothly and adheres to school policies. Your role will involve planning and delivering a variety of age-appropriate activities that are fun, inclusive, and engaging, while ensuring children’s safety and well-being. Liaising with other Group Leaders and the Camps Manager will be essential to maximise each day’s potential. You will have experience with the EYFS and understand how to apply it in an activity camp setting. Effective communication with parents and guardians during handover is crucial, as you will provide updates on the children’s day and address any concerns. You will also be responsible for adhering to supervision ratios and ensuring compliance with safeguarding and welfare requirements. Your ability to think on your feet, solve problems, and lead a team will be key to delivering a high-quality camp experience.
Requirements:
• Level 3 Early Years qualification or equivalent
• Knowledge of the EYFS framework and its application in activity-based settings
• Experience managing young children in an educational, childcare, or camp environment
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage with children, staff, and parents
• Paediatric First Aid certification and a proactive, nurturing approach
• Experience working with children, ensuring their safety and well-being
• Enthusiasm for delivering engaging, structured activities.
To Apply:
Applications must be submitted on the official application form and sent to Mrs Sophie Crossley, Head of Human Resources, Cokethorpe School, Witney, Oxon OX29 7PU or by email to recruitment@cokethorpe.org. Application forms can be sent to applicants by post on request or can be downloaded below. Please email recruitment@cokethorpe.org with your name and address and the position you are interested in, or call the school office on 01993 703921.
Fixed Term Contract: 20 July – 28 August 2026
Hours: 8.15am to 5.30pm Monday to Friday.
Terms of Appointment
Shortlisted candidates will be interviewed, and written documentation recorded. Any gaps in employment history will be fully investigated. Safer recruitment procedures are followed, and members of the Senior Management Team are accredited by the Oxfordshire Safeguarding Children Partnership/NSPCC for recruitment.