Games Coach

Birkdale School are seeking to appoint an inspiring, committed and forward thinking Games Coach, to add to our experienced PE and Sports department. Physical Education and Sport plays a central role in life at Birkdale. All pupils are encouraged to become physically active through the curriculum and the extensive extra-curricular programme on offer. This role is a great opportunity to coach across a variety of sports at both our prep and senior school. The post holder will be expected to play a full part in extracurricular activities before school, at lunch times and after school. Fixtures take place during the week and on Saturday morning’s throughout the year.

The successful applicant will join an existing department of five full time PE Teachers, an existing Games Coach and a Gap Year Student. The department is also supported by specialist coaches and academic staff who assist in the delivery of Games lessons and manage our sports teams. 

The role will be based predominantly at Birkdale Senior School, but the expectation is that the successful applicant will also spend time at our Prep School, and at Castle Dyke which is our sports facility. In addition, our fixtures are scheduled all year round, including during weekends and evenings, therefore this is also a requirement of the role.

The appointment is from September 2024  and initially for a period of one year.  There may in the future, subject to mutual agreement, be scope to extend the period of employment. 

The appointment is 30 hours per week and term-time only (35.2 weeks per year).  Hours will be to fit with the school games timetable (this is yet to be fully finalised). Hours are subject to some flexibility from week to week depending on the fixture programme.

Likely pattern: 

• Monday 10:30 -12:40 & 13.30 – 17.30 
• Tuesday   13.30 – 16.30 
• Wednesday 13.30 – 17.30 
• Thursday 10:30-12:40 & 13.30 – 17.30 
• Friday 10:30-12:40 & 13.30 – 17.00
• Saturday 08.30 - 12.30

NB The exact number of hours may vary from week to week, subject to the fixtures schedule, and whether an individual fixture is at home or away.  

Job Description   

The main duties of this role will be:

• To lead sessions in a variety of sports, particularly in our core sports of Rugby, Football, Cricket, Netball and Hockey.
• To manage and lead sports teams / officiate outside of school hours in training and fixtures, including on Saturdays, at both Prep and senior level.
• To actively support and help develop the extra-curricular sports programme.
• To assist in the organisation of termly house sports events, as well as major events such as the annual Swimming Gala and Sports Days.
• To work with the Director of Sport and other heads of sport to develop sports tours.
• To help to motivate and encourage our pupils to develop and reach their potential in sport and physical activity.
• Be willing to travel to all of our school sites across Sheffield and Bakewell.
• Be willing to work flexibly and cover school sporting fixtures which may occur at the weekend and during the evenings.
• To be aware of your responsibilities in accordance with the provisions of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 and the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999.
• To undertake such other duties which may reasonably be regarded as within the nature of the duties/responsibilities/grade of the post.
• The post holder must comply with the Schools’ Equal Opportunities Policy and its Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy.

Person Specification

The role of Games coach requires the following skills and experience:

• Must be experienced in delivering sport within a high class school environment.
• Be capable of coaching multiple sports across the curriculum, including rugby, football, netball,cricket and hockey.
• Ability to deliver engaging and challenging sessions to all levels of ability.
• Possess strong communication skills and the ability to build relationships and collaborate with the wider school community.
• Be positive, trustworthy and be able to show initiative.
• Be a reflective person who strives to create the best learning environment possible for all pupils.
• Must be able to play and participate to a high level in a chosen sport.
• Be in sympathy with the strong Christian ethos of Birkdale School.
• Be able to work within organisational procedures and meet the required standards for the role.
• Be able to work collaboratively and supportively with school colleagues.
• Be able to relate effectively to parents and to pupils.
• Be committed to continual personal and professional development and be reflective and able to learn from past experience.
• Be resilient and demonstrate an ability to work well under pressure.
• Display commitment to the protection and safeguarding of children and young people.
• Be able to form and maintain appropriate relationships.
• Be able to demonstrate appropriate pastoral skills.

Desirable experience/ qualifications:

• Experience of coaching within a school environment.
• To have skills at a high level in other sports in addition to a main one.
• Relevant coaching/refereeing qualifications in chosen sports.
• First aid trained.
• Links with local sports clubs and sporting communities.

Application Procedure

1. A cover letter addressed to Peter Harris, Head of no more than one side of A4 explaining why you would like this role and the skills and experiences you can bring to it (minimum font size of 11) 

2. A completed Birkdale School application form which includes the names, addresses, e-mail addresses and telephone numbers of two referees

Closing date for applications Thursday 18th April 12.00 noon 2024. We aim to hold interviews the week beginning 29th April 2024.

Email your application to:  Peter Harris, Head at Recruit@birkdaleschool.org.uk by the closing date of Thursday 18th April 2024 (12:00 noon).

For an informal discussion regarding the role please do not hesitate to contact Alicia Webster, HR Manager on 01142 66 8408 on ext 646.

Applicants who do not provide a Covering Letter and Application Form, as stipulated, will unfortunately not be considered. If you have any difficulties in providing this, please do not hesitate to contact the HR team at Recruit@birkdaleschool.org.uk