Education Ranger

Can you help inspire young people about nature? Become an Education Ranger and be the friendly face of Gosforth Nature Reserve for local children.

About this opportunity

We’re looking for friendly and enthusiastic volunteers to share their excitement for North East nature and to show young people how to be curious about nature. By Joining the Education Ranger team you’ll be joining a wonderful, ever-growing community of volunteers who welcome, educate, and inspire young visitors to the reserve, sharing the wildlife and wonder of this special place. 

With a new and fully equipped Field Studies Room, you can now lead inspiring sessions both indoors and outdoors. No teaching experience or specialist knowledge is required, only the enthusiasm and passion for inspiring others about North East nature. 

We are always looking to expand our education offer. If you have activities in mind that you would like to help us develop at Gosforth Nature Reserve, whether that be in the arts, science, or the like, we’d love for you to join us and to be a part of our growth. If you would like to discuss our educational offer please get in touch with our Outdoor Education Officer, Julie, at nhsn.naturerangers1@newcastle.ac.uk.

All resources and kit for our education programmes will be provided to you by NHSN. Due to the fact that we are a small regional charity, we are not able to reimburse travelling costs at this time.

Time commitment

This role is carried out five days a week, varying in regularity week-to-week. Volunteer shifts are available as half (2.5 hour) or full (5 hour) days, depending on school bookings. The peak season is March to August although there are opportunities throughout autumn and winter. 

When you volunteer is up to you. We request Education Rangers to volunteer for school visits as we receive the bookings, so flexibility is dependent on schools’ needs. We expect that all Education Rangers will be able to volunteer at least once a month during the peak season. 

Main activities 

  • Welcoming education groups to the reserve. 
  • Preparing and organising education kit before and after bookings. 
  • Running education programmes with school groups. 
  • Promoting enquiry-based and child-centred learning about North East nature. 

About you

  • You’ll be a friendly, welcoming and personable 
  • You’ll love to learn and educate 
  • You’ll be enthusiastic about wildlife and natural history 
  • You’ll be passionate about the wider work of NHSN 
  • You’ll be able to successfully pass an enhanced DBS check paid for by NHSN (if this is of concern, please get in touch for our ex-offenders policy)

What we’re looking for 

No specialist nature knowledge or teaching experience is required for this role, just an enthusiasm for natural history and a passion for teaching young people the basics of natural history. 

What the role will do for you 

  • You’ll receive full training and support associated with the role. 
  • You’ll be able to hone your skills in programme delivery and youth engagement in a variety of settings and subjects.
  • You’ll be able to spend time regularly in a beautiful and diverse nature reserve. 
  • You’ll meet new people, make new friends and form part of a diverse team, passionate about nature. 
  • You’ll meet naturalists and educators from all walks of life – sharing in their passion for the natural world. 
  • You’ll have opportunities to get involved in other NHSN activities too, from events to citizen science. 
  • If you are a student in any level of education, you will be able to enrol in our Student Award Scheme, and your time as an education ranger will count towards the scheme.

This is a wonderful opportunity to spend time at one of the North East’s most diverse nature reserves. You’ll meet a variety of interesting people from all works of life, sharing their knowledge of the natural world.

It’s a wonderful opportunity to encounter the richness and biodiversity which the reserve nurtures, something essential in the current climate and ecological emergency. I have learned so much about nature by simply talking with other volunteers and visitors who are from all walks of life, both expert and amateur. What we all have in common is a love and appreciation for nature.

NHSN Volunteer Ranger

Interested in volunteering with NHSN?

If you’re interested in volunteering at Gosforth Nature Reserve, we’d love to hear from you.

Please get in touch today – we’ll get back to you as soon as possible.