STEM Projects Lead

Location Newcastle and North Tyneside with some local and national travel required

Full-time 1.0 FTE (open to 0.8 FTE; will consider flexible hours including term-time only)

Contract Fixed term for 12 months (with the possibility of extension, funding dependent)

Interviews w/c 9th November (Subject to change)

Job Purpose

The STEM Projects Lead will plan, coordinate and deliver high-quality STEM education activity for young people in Key Stage 4 and Key Stage 5 across Tyneside and the surrounding area. The postholder will work alongside the local team to deliver and promote engaging workshops, support STEM-based social action projects, supporting students to develop clearer ideas of the futures that they may want within STEM industries and Higher Education.

What we do

We are experts in working with young people aged 11-19 from under-represented backgrounds. We believe that every young person should have an equal opportunity to excel at school, at university and into their careers.

Our unique and highly-tailored programmes increase aspirations for learning and motivation, develop academic, employability and personal skills and raise attainment.

Who we are

Founded over 100 years ago, Villiers Park is committed to advancing and promoting education.

Our vision is a future where every young person has the opportunity to realise their full potential. Yet for too many, this is limited by economic, social and personal barriers not of their making. As a national social mobility charity, we exist to change that.

Safeguarding

Villiers Park Educational Trust is committed to safeguarding and to providing a safe and supportive environment, which secures the well-being and best outcomes for the young people with whom we work.

Safeguarding is embedded in all aspects of Villiers Park's work and integral to the commitment we make to our schools, partners and the young people and communities we serve and work with. All employees and volunteers are expected to share this commitment by adhering to our organisational safeguarding procedures, attending regular in-house training and keeping up to date with developments in policies and legislation.

You will agree to undergo an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Services check and successfully complete our mandatory online training courses including NSPCC Safeguarding in Schools and PREVENT training.

Duties and responsibilities

Key Responsibilities:

• Programme delivery: Lead the delivery of practical, inclusive and curriculum-linked STEM workshops and events for Key Stage 4 and Key Stage 5 learners in schools, colleges and universities.
• Programme planning: Develop session plans, resources, risk assessments and delivery schedules that are age-appropriate, accessible and aligned with agreed outcomes; including the development of digital resources.
• Social action: Support young people to design and deliver STEM-based social action projects that respond to local needs and build problem-solving, teamwork and leadership skills.
• Environmental and conservation activity: Develop and deliver a programme of micro-intervention STEM learning with environmental sustainability, biodiversity, conservation and climate-related action.
• Partnership working: In collaboration with the Regional Lead Tyneside, build strong working relationships with schools, colleges, youth organisations, community partners, employers, universities and local stakeholders.
• Local team collaboration: Work closely with Villiers Park’s Tyneside team to coordinate delivery, share learning, solve operational issues and contribute to local programme development.
• Wider delivery support: Deliver and support delivery across the Villiers Park’s other hubs and partner schools, working flexibly with colleagues to meet programmes and organisational need.
• Quality and inclusion: Ensure all activities are engaging, safe, inclusive and responsive to the needs of young people from a wide range of backgrounds.
• Promotion and engagement: Work collaboratively to raise awareness of Villiers Park's programmes across a range of platforms
• Monitoring and evaluation: Work with our Data and Insights Manager to collect feedback, attendance data, case studies and outcomes evidence to support reporting, learning and continuous improvement.
• Safeguarding: Promote and safeguard the welfare of children and young people, following Villiers Park’s policies, procedures and reporting requirements at all times.
• Resources and logistics: Prepare, maintain and transport resources and equipment needed for workshops and project delivery.
• Representation: Act as a positive ambassador for the charity, communicating its mission, values and impact clearly to young people, educators and partners.

Skills and experience:

• Relevant qualifications, training or equivalent experience in a STEM subject, education, youth work, environmental science, conservation or a related field.
• Experience delivering engaging, inclusive STEM learning activities or workshops for young people, ideally with Key Stage 4 and/or Key Stage 5 learners.
• Strong understanding of STEM concepts and the ability to make them accessible, practical and relevant to young people’s lives, communities and future pathways.
• Ability to plan sessions, develop learning resources, coordinate equipment and logistics, manage competing priorities and deliver to agreed deadlines and outcomes.
• Understanding of how STEM can be applied to real-world challenges, including sustainability, climate action, community problem-solving and youth-led social action.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to engage young people, teachers, partners, colleagues and external stakeholders.
• Commitment to safeguarding, equality, diversity and inclusion, with confidence following procedures, escalating concerns and applying safeguarding practice in education or youth settings.
• Collaborative, reflective and adaptable approach, with experience or confidence working with schools, colleges, employers, universities, youth organisations, community partners, volunteers or STEM ambassadors; ideally in the Tyneside region.
• Ability to work flexibly, travel locally and nationally to other hubs or partner schools for delivery, and familiarity with delivering across Tyneside and the wider local area.

Personal attributes:

• Passionate about helping young people see the relevance of STEM in their lives, communities and futures.
• Confident, engaging and inclusive facilitator who can adapt delivery for different groups and learning needs.
• Organised and reliable, with strong attention to detail and a practical approach to delivery.
• Collaborative team member who builds trust with colleagues, educators, partners and young people.
• Creative and solutions-focused, with enthusiasm for hands-on learning, environmental action and youth voice.

Additional information:

This role may involve occasional evening or weekend work to support events, community activity or project showcases. Appointment will be subject to appropriate safer recruitment checks, including an enhanced DBS and barred list check. The charity is committed to equality of opportunity and welcomes applications from candidates with diverse backgrounds, experiences and routes into STEM.

How to apply

If you would like to apply for this position:

• Download and complete an application form from www.villierspark.org.uk/jobs.
• Complete the Equal Opportunities Monitoring Form.
• Email your application for with a short covering letter to [email protected].

CV's and applications via Indeed will not be accepted

Applicants must have the right to work in the UK at the time of application. Unfortunately, we are unable to offer visa sponsorship for this role.

Pay: £30,596.00 per year

Work authorisation:

• United Kingdom (required)

Work Location: Hybrid remote in Newcastle upon Tyne