The Cathedral School Llandaff, Cardiff’s leading independent school for girls and boys, seeks to appoint a Sports Coach for a period of 2 terms, commencing January 2016. The person appointed will support the delivery of Girls’ Games, and will have experience in coaching netball, rounders or athletics. It would be desired that they hold at least a level 1 in netball coaching.

A proficient sportswoman, who enjoys coaching and working with teenagers and who is able to establish warm, professional and mutually respectful relationships with them, and to be an effective member of a highly committed team of staff, will find this role a rewarding one which offers excellent experience toward future career development.

Standards at the Cathedral School, academic and behavioural, are very high; there is a strong Christian ethos. The school enjoys a solid reputation in sport.

Sports Coach Job Description

A sports coach will have the Director of Sport and the Head of Girls’ Games as their immediate line managers and will be expected to:

• Have sympathy with, and give support to, the educational aims and Christian ethos of the School

• Assume responsibility for particular aspects of  games activities and possibly be fully involved with decision making and policy formation in order that the department continues to flourish and progress in line with the rest of the school

• Coach at least 1 major game to a particularly high standard, be responsible for one or more school teams, potentially inculcate new activities adding to an already rich and varied games programme

• Deliver all lessons in a dynamic and enthusiastic fashion, clearly outlining the aims and objectives

• Be a full and active member of the P.E. and Games department, assuming certain responsibilities deemed appropriate by the Director of Sport or Head of Girls’ Games

• Be fully committed to co-curricular activities which may involve a number of lunch-time, after school sessions and Saturday fixtures during the academic year

• Be familiar with current coaching ideas, rules and regulations, so that non specialist staff who assist with games can benefit from this expertise

• Liaise appropriately with outside agencies and facilities in order to deliver a broad and balanced programme to maximise the potential of each and every child in his/her care

• Be a current or previous exponent of at least one sport to a relatively high standard

• Look and act fully professional at all times (CSL games kit will be provided)

• Demonstrate initiative and be a positive role model to pupils

• Be aware of the Schools’ rewards and sanctions policy

• have a full disclosure CRB check as all pupils are supervised when changing

• A clean driving licence with a willingness to drive the school minibus (if aged over 21)

The Physical Education and Games Department

Sport has a very high profile within the Cathedral School and is extremely well supported by the Headmaster.  The main sports are rugby for the boys and hockey for the girls in the Michaelmas term. Football is the major activity for the boys in the Lent term and netball for the girls.  In the summer term boys play cricket, and also participate in tennis, with the girls playing rounders and tennis against other schools.  A wide range of other activities are also available including; cross-country, basketball, golf, sailing, dry slope skiing, volleyball, swimming, squash, table tennis, fencing, and judo.

The department consists of three specialist staff, with additional requirements for Games lessons met by highly competent coaches from other departments.  The department is led by the Director of Sport, Mr Mark Barrington and assisted by the Head of Girls’ Games, Miss Hannah Williams. The successful candidate will be required to coach and manage one or more school teams throughout the academic year.

The School has an excellent sports hall, which contains cricket nets, four badminton courts, an indoor tennis court and a netball court as well as markings for other sports and activities usually played indoors. There is a hard court area outside containing a netball/tennis court and extensive grass pitches.  A £1½m pavilion has been completed on the Bishop’s Field, comprising 4 RFU changing rooms, staff changing and a multi-purpose function room/classroom.

Pupils are timetabled on specific afternoons, participating in a 1½ hour Games session, which is used as a coaching session or for playing fixtures against other schools.  Fixtures are also played on most Saturdays.  The successful candidate should be available for all of these commitments.  Pupils that are not current members of school teams are given the option to participate in a variety of alternative sporting activities during these sessions.  The successful candidate may be required to escort and become involved in these activities.

The school enjoys an enviable reputation for the quality and breadth of its sports provision and the successful candidate will be expected to continue to raise the profile of sporting activities, arrange and accompany matches, and encourage high standards with a sense of enjoyment.

This post would ideally suit a candidate looking for experience of coaching keen, motivated pupils at Cardiff’s leading independent school.  Previous Sports Coaches have found this invaluable experience for their c.v., several going on to PGCE courses to train to be teachers.