Outdoor Activity Instructor
ST0479
What is an Outdoor Activity Instructor?
An Outdoor Activity Instructor supervises and guides children and adults in activities and pastimes such as canoeing, sailing, climbing, surfing, cycling, hillwalking, archery, bushcraft, rock pooling, geology, plant identification, habitat or wildlife walks at an introductory level. They will be supervised while working in a limited range of venues and weather conditions following tightly defined operating procedures.
The main responsibility of an Outdoor Activity Instructor is to run a safe and enjoyable activity session. They will:
-
Prepare for the session – gather information about the participants and resources for the activity.
-
Deliver the session – brief participants, maintain safety, provide on-going instruction and encouragement.
-
Meet session outcome – support participants to achieve set outcome (such as new skills / knowledge, thrill seeking, personal or team challenge).
-
Close the session – hand-over participants, return resources and equipment, log any issues.
Outdoor Activity Instructors may undertake their apprenticeship with an employer who specialises in a particular client group (individuals or groups, specific age range, mental and physical ability) or range of activities offered. They exercise autonomy and judgement to complete tasks and procedures and call on close back-up for problems and incidents that may occur.
They actively respect the environment, show a positive attitude and are employed in outdoor adventure or education centres, nature reserves or national parks. Typical job titles may include Multi-Activity Leader, Environmental Education Tutor, Activity Instructor, Ranger, National Park Guide.
For further information regarding the standard
Funding Band
£6000
Duration
12 – 18 Months
Level
3
Entry requirements: Employers will have their own specific entry requirements but could include the following:
• Level 2 Award in Functional Skills English or equivalent
• Level 2 Award in Functional Skills Mathematics or equivalent
• 18 years or above or at the employer’s discretion due to the nature of the work
• Existing skills and knowledge of Outdoor Activity
ON PROGRAMME
(MINIMUM DURATION 12 Months)
On and off-the-job training to develop knowledge, skills and behaviours
English and Maths Level 2 (if required)
Production of a portfolio of evidence
GATEWAY (TYPICALLY 1 MONTH)
Employer confirms the apprentice is consistently working at or above the level of the occupational standard
Achieved English and Maths Level 2
Compiled portfolio of evidence
END-POINT ASSESSMENT (MAXIMUM 2 MONTHS)
Practical Test: session template and questions + observation and questions
Professional discussion guided by portfolio of evidence
END-POINT ASSESSMENT COMPONENTS
PRACTICAL TEST
PART 1 | SINGLE SESSION TEMPLATE
The apprentice will be required to complete a written session template for the session that they will be observed on. The session is to be chosen with the agreement of the employer, the independent assessor and the apprentice.
The duration of the practical test assessment will be 60 minutes.
PART 2 | SESSION TEMPLATE QUESTION AND ANSWER
The apprentice will be required to answer 5 contextualised questions, selected from a test bank by the independent assessor to cover knowledge, skills and behaviours to be assessed during the session template.
The duration of the session template question and answer assessment will be 15 minutes.
PART 3 | OBSERVATION IN THE WORKPLACE
The apprentice will be assessed through an observation(s) that cover the start, middle and end of one or more outdoor activity or learning sessions. This will include the session planned during part one of the practical test.
The independent assessor must observe the apprentice undertaking the following:
• Delivering the session
• Meeting the session outcomes
• Completing the session
• Complying with their organisations requirements
• Acting professionally in their practice
The duration of the observation assessment will be 90 minutes.
PART 4 | OBSERVATION QUESTION AND ANSWER
The apprentice will be required to answer 5 contextualised questions, selected from a test bank by the independent assessor to cover knowledge, skills and behaviours to be assessed during the observation.
The duration of the observation question and answer assessment will be 15 minutes.
PROFESSIONAL DISCUSSION + PORTFOLIO OF EVIDENCE
The apprentice will compile a portfolio of on-programme evidence during the learning journey. This will not be assessed during end-point assessment.
The portfolio will contain a minimum of 5 pieces of evidence and a maximum of 10. Evidence should be naturally occurring and relevant to the apprentices’ actual job. The portfolio will be sent to the independent assessor 2 weeks prior to the professional discussion who will generate questions based on the portfolio of evidence.
A professional discussion will then take place between the independent assessor and the apprentice, covering all topic areas and elements that are detailed in the apprenticeship standard.
The duration of the professional discussion assessment will be 45 minutes.
Grading Criteria
Fail Criteria: Apprentices who demonstrate any of the following fail criteria will fail the practical test and/or professional discussion.
Pass Criteria: The apprentice must demonstrate all of the pass criteria.
Distinction Criteria: The apprentice must display all of the pass criteria and all of the distinction criteria.
Progression Route
On completion, Outdoor Activity Instructors may be eligible to apply to be Registered Members of the Institute for Outdoor Learning to support their career development and progression.