Camp Practitioners

Package Description

Location: George Watson’s College, Edinburgh

Contract Type: Casual, Short term contracts

Hours: Contracted hours will be 30 – 35 hours of camp delivery time per week

Working weeks: Camps will run during all key school holidays in 2026 and beyond: February, April, July, August, and October 
 

Salary: The salary for this position will be in the Grade 2 range of £27,090 - £30,231 (based 36.25 hours, 52 weeks). The salary will be pro-rated for contracted hours.

The Role

Join our holiday camp team! 

Are you passionate about inspiring young minds through creative and innovative programmes? George Watson’s College is developing an exciting, non-sport focused holiday camp programme, and we are seeking experienced and creative Camp Practitioners to support the delivery of high quality camps for children and young people aged 9 – 14.

About the role
 We are looking for enthusiastic, experienced practitioners to work closely with our Camp Leaders. As part of a dedicated team, you will be responsible for delivering high quality, stimulating and fun camp programmes while ensuring a safe and supportive environment for all participants. 

Essential experience and qualifications

• Experience in working with children and young people in a club, classroom or extra-curricular setting is required. 
• Qualifications and proven experience in your area of specialism are essential. 

We are particularly interested in candidates with qualifications and experience in one or more of the following specialist areas:

• Drama and theatre
• Fashion design
• Art and design 
• Culinary arts (cooking and baking)
• Film making and/or animation
• Creative writing 
• Social enterprise / entrepreneurship 

APPLICATION PROCESS

To apply, please click the Apply for this job button. Please include your CV and a covering letter.

Main Responsibilities

Holiday Camp Delivery 

To deliver fun, engaging and inclusive holiday camp lessons and activities to mixed ability pupils from P4-S3 using the lesson and activity plans, resources and content designed by the Camp Leader.

To ensure a safe, supportive, and stimulating environment for all holiday camp participants, supervising and engaging with the children throughout the day to make sure that each child feels welcome and included.

To foster positive relationships with all camp participants and colleagues, encouraging teamwork, creativity and social interaction, and acting as a positive role model for the camp subject. 

To undertake other general duties to support the smooth operation of the holiday camp, including:

• registration and sign-out procedures
• supervising break and lunchtimes
• early drop off and late pick up
• attending team meetings
• communicating with parents/carers
• and any other reasonable duties requested by the Camp Leader or School’s management.

 Holiday Camp Set up and Preparation

To collaborate with the Camp Leader, other Practitioners and Assistants to create a cohesive and exciting week long programme, including supporting the preparation of daily resources and materials. 

To work with Holiday Camp colleagues to set up the learning/activity areas at the start of the programme, tidy and prepare the learning spaces at the beginning and end of each day, and return the camp area to the School in a clean and satisfactory condition at the end of the holiday camp.

Wellbeing, Safeguarding and Child Protection 

To support the general physical and emotional wellbeing needs of the individual children attending camps, as well as managing behaviour in a positive and constructive way.

To uphold the School’s safeguarding procedures and policies and ensure the welfare of the children attending camps at all times. 

To pass on any child protection concerns relating to camp participants to the School’s Child Protection Officer/Camp Leader. 

Health and Safety 

To ensure familiarity with the School’s Health & Safety policies and procedures, including risk assessments and safe methods of work specific to the camp department, including supporting the children in the safe use of resources or equipment.

To immediately report any Health and Safety concerns, including any accidents or “near misses” to the Camp Leader.

The Ideal Candidate

Essential criteria:

• Previous experience of working with children and young people 
• Previous experience and knowledge of the relevant camp subject area (e.g. Art, Drama, STEM, Music etc)
• Qualified or currently working towards qualification in childcare, education, and/or the relevant subject area e.g. diploma/degree level
• Ability to plan and deliver fun and structured activity and learning sessions
• Flexibility and adaptability needed to work with children of differing ages and ability (from P4 - S3)
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Collaborative approach and excellent team player
• Passion for education and working with young learners
• Commitment to creating an inclusive and encouraging learning environment 

Desirable criteria:

• Experience working in summer camps or extracurricular programmes
• IT Skills including Google Suite and Microsoft Office
• First Aid qualification
• Knowledge and understanding of safeguarding and child protection and Health & Safety

About the school/organisation

George Watson's College sits in the heart of Scotland's capital city, Edinburgh, providing a world-class education for children and young people from Preschool to Senior 6.

We encourage our pupils to develop a love of learning through an inspiring curriculum and an extensive and inclusive enrichment programme, which are underpinned by the four values we live by: aim high, be kind, join in and respect all.

Our school is a place where pupils have the freedom to thrive, succeed, explore, perform, and grow, giving them the opportunity to discover their own limitless potential.

Preschool, junior and senior pupils all learn and play on the same 52-acre campus, where our sports facilities, music school, art department, technology building and drama studios are within walking distance.

We offer our pupils one of the widest extra-curricular programmes you will find anywhere, plus the opportunity to travel internationally during their time with us, and a broad range of learning experiences outside the classroom.

Digital technology supports and enhances learning, with every pupil encouraged to use their device where it adds real value to developing skills and critical thinking.

Our school has an enviable reputation for the breadth of opportunities pupils have to get active, with around 25 different sports available to both girls and boys. Participation, excellence, professionalism and equality are the four cornerstones of our physical education and sport department here at Watson's.

When it comes to music and drama, our pupils are given the opportunity to co-produce stunning shows, delivering memorable performances that live long beyond school days.

Most importantly, the wellbeing of our pupils matters to us more than anything else. There are various ways we support pupils to proactively manage their mental health, while a range of peer-led programmes has created a culture in which we can all play our part.

All this means that when the sun shines we celebrate the happy moments, and when it doesn't we're there to protect and support, just as our motto says: ex corde caritas - love from the heart. www.gwc.org.uk