Young Tree Champions London Living Labs: Project Lead

BASED: The Tree Council HQ in Canada Water, London SE16 with considerable flexibility to work from home
SCOPE: Engage schools with the Young Tree Champions London Living Labs programme with regular travel to schools within the GLA region
SALARY: £30,000 - £33,000 per annum
PENSION: 7% contribution by The Tree Council
TERMS: Full-time, two-year, fixed-term role with occasional weekend and evening work, starting August 2026, and finishing 31 July 2028, with potential for extension, subject to funding. 25 days annual leave, plus Public Holidays and the period between Christmas and the New Year.
REGION: Greater London
REPORTING TO: The Tree Council Head of National Schools Programme
INTERNAL LIAISON: National Schools Programme Manager, Communications team, National Tree Warden Scheme Co-ordinator, Science & Research team, Community Planting and Grants team
EXTERNAL LIAISON: Programme partners, primary and secondary school teachers, PRUs, AP, SEND schools, community tree nurseries, volunteers and others.

INTERVIEWS: Week commencing 6th July.

Background

Young Tree Champions Living Labs is the latest addition to The Tree Council’s National Schools Programme (NSP). Since launch in 2020, the NSP has become one of the largest environmental education programmes in the UK with over 5,000 schools actively taking part. The programme has, to date, comprised two elements: a practical, large scale, light touch programme called ‘Orchards for Schools’ and a core multi-faceted campaign ‘Young Tree Champions (YTC). Following confirmation of additional London-wide funding through a new partnership with the GLA, ‘YTC London Living Labs’ is an exciting new, London-focused, development of Young Tree Champions.

YTC London Living Labs has an inclusive approach to working with underrepresented groups, targeting approximately 50 schools and their communities that are most impacted by climate and nature challenges, which have a wider correlation with social deprivation. The project aims to inspire children and young people of all ages and abilities to lead the way in assessing climate and nature risks in their school grounds, by mapping a baseline of climate related hazards (heat, drought, flooding, pollution - noise/air particulates), and scoring the likely impact. Students will work with nature to implement a plan to mitigate exposure to these hazards through the introduction of green infrastructure measures (tree growing and planting of new species, rainwater harvesting/irrigation, onsite composting/mulching, sustainable TreeCouncil.org.uk drainage, green walls etc). This process brings many benefits for students and nature, including exciting work-related skills and knowledge progression across multiple subjects, improved health, well-being and a contribution to the school’s wider sustainable development.

Following our established YTC framework the programme provides high quality teacher training and pupil workshops (online and in-person), plus resources and funds for physical infrastructure to help teachers and pupils tackle the climate and nature emergency. Schools will enable their pupils to grow a deep-rooted connection with trees and nature through the growing and caring of trees and other green infrastructure. Gaining regular access and contact time with nature, they will develop the confidence, knowledge and skills needed to explore a career in the environment sector. Schools will have opportunities to share and inspire others to transform their school grounds across London and nationally, leading to a tree-filled, healthy, more sustainable and just future for schools.

What we are looking for in our team members

You will have experience of teaching in schools (primary, secondary, alternative provision or special schools) either in the classroom and outdoors - or teaching in an informal environmental setting. You will be familiar with the complex and ever-changing demands placed on teachers and schools. You will be able to contribute to monitoring and assessing the impact of the Young Tree Champion London Living Labs programme.

You will have excellent organisational skills and be a strong communicator, working collaboratively with many different partners to deliver this new London element of a nationwide schools programme. You must be prepared to work with The Tree Council’s small dynamic team, in a fast-paced environment, and travel to visit schools across Greater London. Attention to detail, a positive attitude, tenacity and a flexible outlook will be key.

You will be working during a challenging time for schools, so your ability to problem-solve, inspire and support teachers to achieve their goals will play an important role in the success of the programme. Above all, you should be passionate about young people and the environment and making lasting change.