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Learning Assistant Volunteer, Ironbridge Gorge Museum Trust

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The Learning Assistant will work alongside the Lifelong Learning Team, to help with the delivery of the high-quality learning experiences Ironbridge Gorge Museum Trust (IGMT) offer to the 20,000+ school pupils who visit the museums each year, and to the families who take part in their informal learning offer.  Ironbridge Gorge Museum Trust is an education and conservation charity, and as such the work of the Learning Team is at the heart of our values and charitable aims.

IGMT’s programme for schools includes the ever-popular Victorian Schoolroom session, Brickmaking and Candle Dipping at Blists Hill Victorian Town, Power Buggies and Bridges workshops at Enginuity, hands on activities at Coalport China Museum, and interactive tours at Jackfield Tile Museum – to name but a few!

IGMT offer a programme of activities for families across all the museums: Bright Sparks Sensory Play for babies, Enginuity Explorers for pre-school children, holiday workshops and craft activities for all the family, as well as adult craft courses.

IGMT are looking to recruit volunteers to help with the following activities:

  • Preparing school groups for the Victorian Schoolroom
  • Meeting and Greeting schools on arrival at Blists Hill Victorian Town
  • Delivering the Bright Sparkes Babies Session at Enginuity
It is possible for successful candidates to carry out all or some of these roles, depending on your interests, experience, and availability.

 

Location: Roles are based at Blists Hill Victorian Town and Enginuity, Coalbrookdale

For each of the three roles the volunteer will be expected to

  • Be aware of and respond to the different learning and engagement styles of visitors
  • Be aware of and respond to the different needs of all visitors, including those with disabilities
  • Work collaboratively and flexibly with other IGMT staff and volunteers to ensure visitors get the best possible learning experience
  • Be vigilant in protecting the museums and collections from theft or damage and to advise staff members on site if any issues arise
  • Be familiar with the fire alarm and evacuation procedures and guide all visitors to exits from the building in the event of an emergency
  • Ensure that standards of presentation are maintained daily
  • To undertake any training relevant to the role and/or generic museum work
  • To carry out any other duties that may be reasonably requested

Delivery of Bright Sparks Babies Sensory Play:

  • Set up the room for the session, according to the session plans
  • Greet participants and explain the session to them
  • Interact with parents and babies for the duration of the session
  • Tidy the room at the end of the session
  • Sessions take place fortnightly on Thursday mornings, see link for dates: https://www.ironbridge.org.uk/events/family-events/sensory-play-session-at-bright-sparks/
  • These pre-booked sessions are aimed at babies from birth to those who are beginning to walk
  • This volunteer is required to work from 9.15 – 11.30 each session

Victorian Schoolroom Preparation:

  • The volunteer supporting the Victorian School room activity will introduce the Schoolroom experience.  They will dress the children in our Victorian costume and escort them to the schoolroom, where the children will meet the Victorian School Teacher, played by a member of the Learning Team.
  • The volunteer will meet the group at the end of the session an escort them back to the top of the site, help them to take the costume up and tidy it ready for the next session.
  • Ensure that the school is aware of its itinerary for the rest of the day.
  • There may be multiple sessions throughout the day.  This volunteer needs to be on site from 9.30 until the end of the last session (variable, but generally no later than 14:00 unless by agreement)

Meeting and Greeting:

  • To provide a warm welcome for all schools as they arrive at the visitor centre each day
  • To be aware of each school name, and the name of the lead teacher so they can be greeted by name
  • To hand out up to date copies of the school’s itinerary for the day
  • To ensure teachers check in at the front desk and collect tickets
  • To wait until the last booked school has arrived
  • Hours for this role are 9.30 – approximately 11.30 (with extensions by arrangement)

Experience and Qualifications

Variable according to which role is being applied for, but in general:

  • Experience of, or interest in, working with children and young people
  • Knowledge of the IGMT sites, or a willingness to learn
  • Flexible approach to the role – sometimes things do not got to plan and you will need to think on your feet
  • Understanding of how babies develop through sensory play or an interest in learning more about this (specific to Bright Sparks Sensory Play session)
  • Good customer service skills
  • Able to work on own initiative and as part of a team

Commitment

Hours for each role are listed above. IGMT would ideally expect a commitment of one day a week for the roles at Blists Hill Victorian Town, and once a fortnight at Enginuity.  Days to be worked at Blists Hill Victorian Town are flexible, according to the level of bookings each week, but will be planned in advance.

Training

All volunteers will undertake a full induction to the role they will be working in, and the site, followed by training through observations and the provision of background notes were necessary.  Volunteers will be supported by a member of the Learning Team until they feel comfortable in the role.  Observations of the volunteers will take place at a suitable interval, with feedback given, and additional support made available if needed.

Opportunities will exist to undertake further training as part of the department wide training programme each year.

Volunteers will be invited to join the Learning Team when they visit other museums, to gain knowledge and experience of the sector.

Due to the nature of the role, working closely with children, each volunteer will be expected to complete safeguarding training and will be DBS checked.

Contact

For more information please contact Amanda Phillipson on amanda.phillipson@ironbridge.org.uk or call 01952 435 909

> Apply Now
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