Natural History Schools Delivery Freelancer

UK, England, London

We are looking for a freelancer to run workshops using the Grant Museum of Zoology collection in Primary schools in Camden, Islington and parts of Newham.

Average 2 days' work per week during school term time.

Please see the brief below if interested.

Brief

Natural History Schools Delivery Freelancer for UCL Museums at
University College London

Background to work

UCL's museums and collections http://www.ucl.ac.uk/museums are used extensively to support and enrich teaching and research, UCL community, schools and the public. UCL museums deliver a long standing and highly regarded education programme that focuses on object-based learning with genuine museum artefacts and specimens.

We are recruiting for a freelancer to deliver outreach sessions in schools for the Grant Museum of Zoology, http://www.ucl.ac.uk/museums/zoology the only remaining university zoological museum in London.

The Grant Museum of Zoology is one of the foremost zoology museums in the UK, with a growing reputation for innovative and experimental work. The collection comprises around 68,000 skeletal, taxidermy and wet specimens, covering the whole of the animal kingdom.

This brief focuses on the delivery of in-school sessions for UCL Museums' target primary schools.

Summary of work involved

UCL Museums and Collections work with primary schools in the boroughs of Camden, Islington, and Newham. State schools within these boroughs are able to book interactive workshops delivered by UCL Museums in the classroom free of charge. We have over 10 years' experience working in this way and work with a small group of freelancers who deliver workshops using our Archaeology and Science collections.

This brief is for Primary outreach workshops using the Grant Museum collection, which are for Key Stage 2 and topics are:

- Variation and Classification

- Teeth and Eating

- Habitats and Adaptations

- Moving and Growing

The freelancer will work with existing detailed session plans and activities, which will be provided. There will be an initial training session at UCL prior to commencing work to go through session content and specimens used, time for attendance will be paid. You should feel free to make suggestions to the Head of Learning and Access for any minor changes or developments.

Each session typically lasts for 45 minutes - one hour with one class (approx 30 students). The freelancer would be expected to visit between one and four classes in one school in a day. You will also be responsible for the collection/return of the Grant Museum box of specimens from/to The Grant Museum before and after each school visit. The box will be available for collection from 9a.m. (possibly earlier) and will need to be returned by 5.30p.m. School bookings will be made to accommodate travel time from the museum to school.

In addition to delivering the content of the sessions above, the freelancer will introduce students to the concept of university with the aim of raising children's aspirations towards higher education. There is a script for this in the session plan and content will be gone through during initial training.

The freelancer will need to be available for approximately two days per week during school term time - how to set dates for work will be agreed in discussion with the Head of Learning at the start of the work.

You are asked to maintain communication with the Head of Learning and Access and respond to any communications in a timely manner, and to communicate with the Learning and Access Officer at the Grant Museum as needed, particularly regarding access to the resources and session content.

Advertising of workshops, communication with teachers, bookings and evaluation are done by UCL Museums staff.

We will pay for 2 days research and familiarisation time prior to workshops commencing, for the freelancer to read through and familiarise themselves with the session plans and activities, to look at and handle some of the specimens used in teaching, and to talk with Grant Museum/UCL Museums learning staff as needed.

Management

The freelancer will report directly to Head of Learning and Access for UCL Museums and Collections, Celine West (celine.west@ucl.ac.uk/020 7679 2151)

The secondary contact is Senior Access Officer, Alice McLaren (a.mclaren@ucl.ac.uk/020 7679 7009)

Payment

Delivery of in school workshops are paid at a rate of £85 per half day (one or two sessions in one school).

The freelancer will need to complete UCL Finance's self-employment questionnaire.

Invoices may then be submitted to the Head of Learning and Access at the end of each month.

Person Specification

- Demonstrable experience in delivering engaging learning workshops in a museum or school setting.

- Background knowledge of natural science, particularly topics related to the primary school curriculum.

- Experience of working with objects to inspire learning.

- Ability to communicate effectively with others, verbally and in writing.

- Demonstrable ability to present in an enthusiastic and engaging way to young people.

- Experience of working with different learning styles and educational needs.

- Excellent organisational and time management skills.

- The freelancer should be registered as self-employed and responsible for their own tax status and National Insurance contributions.

- Any offer of employment will be subject to a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.

The freelancer is responsible for transporting the box of specimens to and from school on public transport. The boxes have wheels to assist with transportation, manual lifting training can be given as needed.

How to apply

If you are interested in working with us please submit the following to celine.west@ucl.ac.uk:

- Your CV

- A covering letter explaining how you fulfil the person specification

- An overview of your availability

- Contact details of at least one professional we may ask for a reference about your work

- A link to examples of your work, if applicable

Please send these to Celine by 5p.m. on 18th November. Email is also the best contact for any enquiries.

This work is available from November 2014 - July 2015 in the first instance, highly likely to be ongoing in future academic years.