Director of Sport

Birkenhead School, founded in 1860, is an HMC independent day school providing education for boys and girls from the age of 3 months to 18 years, drawing from the whole of the Wirral and as far afield as Chester and North Wales. There are currently some 104 children in Early Years (57 in Nursery aged under 3 years old, 47 in our “Pre-Prep” aged 3 to 5 years old), 319 pupils in the School’s Prep (ages 5-11) and 424 pupils in Years 7 to Upper Sixth Form. Birkenhead School has been fully co-educational since September 2008, offering the choice of an independent education to all local children. Situated in the leafy suburb of Oxton, the School enjoys excellent facilities. Recent capital developments in sporting facilities have included a small artificial turf practice area onsite and the floodlighting of the netball courts. In addition to the main campus, the School owns 17 acres of playing fields on two sites nearby – the primary one being McAllester Field on Bidston Road.

The Director of Sport is responsible for leading, developing and implementing the Birkenhead School sports strategy, including all aspects of sport both in and beyond the classroom, across both Prep and Seniors. It is therefore both a ‘hands-on’ and strategic role rolled into one. Whilst taking the lead in at least one major sport, he or she will also play a significant part in maintaining and improving the department’s high level of performance to ensure the long-term excellence of sport and physical education of the whole school on a local and national level.

Applicants will have proven experience in leading and coaching at least one sport to a high level, and who will be confident in officiating in at least two of Birkenhead School’s major sports. Operating at a senior level within a sports-related environment and with outstanding commitment, the Director of Sport will progress the further development of our sports faculty. He or she will be committed to providing quality sporting opportunities and experiences for all students, developing participation and excellence, ensuring all students develop their physical literacy and a lifelong enthusiasm for sport. He or she will also guide and advise colleagues in developing the sporting skills and aptitudes for all staff; including coaching, umpiring and refereeing, encourage a variety of teaching approaches to assist the professional development of staff, and further develop links with clubs, professional bodies and others outside the School for the benefit of the School and its community.

The School aims to combine the pursuit of excellence with a ‘sports for all’ philosophy and always strives to achieve the highest of standards, with the department working closely and collaboratively across both the Prep and Senior schools.

The sports programme sees teams and individuals regularly competing against other schools both during the week and on weekends, and during the year the School hosts a number of sports festivals and tournaments where local primary schools and sports clubs are invited to play a range of sports matches. Birkenhead School also hosts Birkenhead Rugby Seniors 7s and the U13 7s which sees between 16 and 20 schools taking part in these fixtures.

Within the staff community, there are a number of colleagues who have international, as well as regional and county experience.  This greatly enhances the coaching provision of the major sports (rugby, hockey for girls and boys, cricket, netball and lacrosse), and helps foster confidence, teamwork and the development of specific skills in students. This is carried right through the School, from the youngest in Prep, to the Senior sports teams.