Graduate Assistant

Glenalmond College is looking to appoint four Graduate Assistants for a one year fixed term period from September 2025 - August 2026. This is an exciting opportunity to gain valuable experience in an inspiring and supportive environment. As a Graduate Assistant, you will work closely with our experienced staff and alongside other Graduates, while developing your skills for a future in education or other sectors. This role is ideal for recent graduates looking to make a positive impact in a dynamic school community. The successful candidates will receive an attractive rewards package which includes an annual salary plus full board (accommodation and all meals provided).

Successful candidates will thrive in a busy and varied role. They will be strong communicators with the ability to maintain strict confidentiality and remain calm under pressure. Knowledge and understanding of a boarding environment is an advantage as well as a genuine commitment to Glenalmond College’s aims and ethos.

The successful candidates will be able to coach rugby and/or hockey to a high level and be able to assist with all aspects of school life including boarding duties, co-curricular activities, sports tours, outdoor learning, weekend trips and academic lesson support.

Experience in Strength & Conditioning would be an advantage as would an ability to also offer cricket and/or tennis coaching. The candidates will be highly motivated and fully prepared to undertake the demands of working as part of a team, and a willingness to participate fully in a busy, successful co-educational boarding school are essential. Please download the candidate information pack for a full description of the role.

Package Description

We offer:

• A competitive salary
• Pension scheme
• Free staff lunches during term time
• Employee assistance programme
• Complimentary refreshments during hours of work
• A great working environment as part of a developing team and the possibility of opportunities for the role to grow.

Main Responsibilities

This is an exciting role within Glenalmond College and applicants must be keen to fully embrace the ethos and tempo of a full boarding school. At Glenalmond we believe in the holistic development of the whole person, both with regards to the pupils and the staff within our care. As such, this role contains scope for professional development during the Graduate Assistant’s time with us, such as targeted sporting and outdoor qualifications from National Governing Bodies.

Sporting

• Plan, organise, lead and deliver high quality Sports sessions in accordance with the Development Plan and Curriculum for each year group for each sport.
• Have the ability to be a lead coach in one or more of ! the following areas: Rugby, Hockey and Strength & Conditioning. Other sports will be considered upon application.
• Manage sports teams effectively with appropriate use of sanctions and rewards in accordance with departmental and school policies.
• Work with the Director of Sport and Heads of Sport to deliver sessions at both Glenalmond College and Craigclowan Prep School (U8-U18 age range).
• Umpire/referee at Hockey and Rugby tournaments hosted at Glenalmond College as well as at tournaments or matches hosted by feeder prep schools.
• Create and maintain a purposeful, orderly and productive working environment for sports sessions.
• Motivate, inspire and challenge pupils to achieve their full potential.
• Be responsible for the competitive development of teams and ensure that pupils play sports with enjoyment and good sportsmanship. Ensure the Health and Safety and good behaviour of pupils at all times.
• Ensure timely and accurate maintenance, preparation and use of specialist equipment/resources/materials as required by staff and/or session plans.
• Support the Director of Sport in the delivery of departmental tasks.
• Assist with the planning and running of sporting events, tours and fixtures, under the direction of the Director of Sport, including but not limited to, travel arrangements, accommodation, tournaments, and any other associated administrative tasks.
• Assist the Heads of Sport in providing support for our Regional and National players - this may involve driving players to regional performance training.
• Support of the Strength and Conditioning Programme, under the guidance of the Director of Sport, which will include early-morning sessions.
• Attendance at all Open ! Days and ! key College Events representing the Sports Department.

Pastoral

• To work as a resident tutor within the boarding houses - 1 or 2 nights a week, with overnight once a week.
• To respond to training in order to be ready to take sole charge of the House when on duty.
• To promote the ethos of the College and the House through caring and sensitive pastoral support for pupils.
• To promote and sustain the tone and atmosphere in the House in relation to good discipline and behaviour.
• To promote actively high-quality and proactive pastoral care, building relationships with pupils and staff to create a positive and supportive ethos and atmosphere in the House.
• To have knowledge of boarding standards and safeguarding procedures.
• To seek to provide a homely environment.
• To wholeheartedly support the Sunday programme, either by supporting outdoor learning activities and other outings or by being on duty in houses.
• To act as standby cover, as reasonably requested by Housestaff, when Housestaff may need to be away for short periods of time or on other school commitments.
• Saturday night duties - 7 over the course of the year.
• Day duties supervising at break, lunch, supper and other key times.

Outdoor Learning

• To support the Head of Outdoor Learning during 2nd and 3rd Form Outdoor Learning, Adventure Days and on Sunday trips as well as supporting Duke of Edinburgh expeditions.

General

A 6-day week, with a Friday off.

Any other duties deemed reasonable by the Warden or Deputy Heads, in conjunction with the Director of Sport.

Attend departmental meetings, whole school meetings and briefings as directed by the school.

Take part in both in-service (INSET) and external training as directed by the school.

To undertake specific projects in the Graduate Assistant’s area of specialism.

Contribute to the wider delivery of the schools objectives.

Opportunities

• The opportunity to undertake coaching and officiating qualifications as part of the Glenalmond College Staff Development programme.
• The opportunity to observe Regional and National coaching sessions, primarily within the Scottish Rugby and Hockey pathway programmes. Opportunities to observe other National Pathway programmes can be made available.
• The opportunity to travel on Sports Tours and take part in pre-season camps.
• The opportunity to build a varied portfolio of work within a school setting, which can lead to further opportunities within education and coaching.

This Job Description is an illustrative set of likely duties and responsibilities and is in no way exhaustive.

Line manager - Deputy Head Staff & Pupil Development

About the school/organisation

Glenalmond College is an inspiring place to live and work. The community atmosphere and warmth of welcome are matched by the commitment and professionalism of our staff, who are key to the success of the school.

Glenalmond welcomes boys and girls, aged 12 to 18, as boarders or day pupils. Most of our pupils are British, but we also have a number of pupils from up to 16 different countries around the world. There are up to 400 pupils at Glenalmond College, an almost even balance of boys and girls.

Glenalmond offers a rigorous model of education with international currency. A curriculum of breadth and depth, balancing a core of facilitating subjects with a variety of options to inform, challenge and ignite passions and recognise developments in technology.

Our purpose at Glenalmond is to help make the world a better place. That aim hasn’t changed at all since our foundation way back in 1847, and we share Ralph Waldo Emerson’s definition of success:

“To laugh often and much…to appreciate beauty…to find the best in others, to leave the world a bit better…to know even one life has breathed easier because you lived.”