Head of Development (Swimming) - Repton Senior and Prep

Package Description

Location:  Repton School

Responsible to:  Director of Swimming

Contract Type:  Permanent, all year round

Hours of work: 5.5 days per week, to include coaching before/after school, plus day time admin. Will also include competition days on weekends.

Salary: £30,000 per annum

Benefits: Employer Pension Scheme, free membership of Repton Sports Centre, 25 days plus Bank Holidays and Christmas Closedown.

Job Introduction

We are looking to recruit a suitably qualified, enthusiastic and energetic Head of Development who is able to lead the delivery of the development pathway at Repton Swimming. S/he will provide exceptional coaching and have the commitment, management and communication skills to deliver the aims for Repton Swimming within a clear timeframe.

Repton Swimming, founded in 2019, has grown exponentially, is a unique programme and is an exceptional opportunity for the right candidate. Based at Repton School and Repton Preparatory School, Repton encompasses both pupils at the schools and community members, who create the club now known as Repton Swimming.

Reporting to The Director of Swimming, the Head of Development will lead the delivery of the development pathway and the coaches within that section of the club. Our team of coaches has expanded significantly in the last 18 months. The Coaching Team comprises of The Director of Swimming, Performance Coach, Graduate Assistant Coach and Learn 2 Swim Co-ordinator (all full time) and is supported by a Repton School full time Lead S&C Coach. The Head of Development will work closely with all stakeholders, including the Learn 2 Swim Co-ordinator and Academy Manager, the Sports Centre Manager, key Prep School personnel and the Club Committee.

All Repton Swimming Coaches have a duty of care to all swimmers within the Repton Swimming Programme. The primary focus of this role is to deliver the highest quality coaching to both the development pathway and specific groups of swimmers within Repton Swimming as allocated by The Director of Swimming, which will progress athletes to the next level in the programme or as part of their individual development. The Head of Development will also be responsible for setting the standards for Repton’s high expectations in both in training and competition within this section of the club.

Closing date for applications is Monday 19th June 2023, with interviews taking place in the following days. Applicants will be contacted for interview if they have been successful in the short-list process. First round interviews are likely to be held in w/c 26th June 2023.

For an informal chat regarding the position, please do not hesitate to contact our Director Of Swimming Ash Morris at ashmorris@repton.org.uk

Main Responsibilities

The Head of Development is responsible for the leadership, management and performance of our Development Pathway and all up and coming junior age swimmers. As such, s/he will have overall responsibility for the following key aspects:
• The day to day coaching of our best young Development and Performance age swimmers
• Oversight our up and coming junior age swimmers across all squads
• The link for swimming between Repton Prep and Repton School with the development and transition of swimmers as a priority
• The communication to and education of our swimmers, parents and key staff regarding the development and day to day operations for this section of the club.
• Implementation of the technical vision and swimming framework laid out by the Director of Swimming

Coaching
• Be the Lead Coach for our Development and Performance Pathway squads, working closely with other members of the coaching team to provide the best coaching provision at all times.
• Provide excellence in coaching through the recognised best practice (in line with the British Swimming OADF) that will improve performance outcomes for swimmers at all levels.
• Attend regular competitions in line with the calendar set out by the Director of Swimming
• Encourage the development of swimmers across all junior age groups.
• Support the identification of talented swimmers within the Repton Learn 2 Swim programme, to assist with the transition into the club squads as appropriate.
• Support and oversee the delivery of swimming within co-curricular sport and Physical Education lessons as required at Repton Prep.
• In conjunction with the Director of Swimming, organise the coaching provision for junior age groups at all competitions throughout the season.
• In collaboration with Strength & Conditioning staff, establish optimum delivery of land-based training for the relevant squads and age groups.

Pastoral & Welfare
• Lead the daily wellbeing & safeguarding protocols surrounding the school swimming squads and all individual swimmers within the programme.
• Liaise regularly with relevant Housemasters and Housemistresses at Repton Prep to ensure we have the best possible wellbeing support for all swimmers across the schools.
• Assist with or oversee the movement of swimmers across the site at Repton Prep.
• Ensure pupils are appropriately provided for in terms of travel to and from competition or training if required.
• Take responsibility for the wellbeing of all swimmers, covering the athletic, pastoral and academic perspectives by working closely with the relevant pastoral staff.

Accountability and Leadership
• Within the relevant sections of the club, lead and set the desired tone and ethos of Repton Swimming at all times.
• Actively promote the Schools’ behavioral values and expectations amongst swimming squad members.
• Build professional relationships with all staff associated with Repton Swimming across Repton School and Repton Prep to ensure the best pastoral care, academic and swimming performances for the athletes in our care.
• Attend Coaching Team meetings on a weekly basis and attend other relevant meetings as required, to include Headmaster’s Briefings and relevant Prep School meetings.
• Provide reports in a timely manner to be uploaded onto club media channels following relevant events, competitions or individual achievements.
• Mentor and guide other teachers and coaches to be delivering the technical standards set out by the Director of Swimming.
• Lead initiatives proactively or as directed by the Director of Swimming to recruit the best local and national talent into the club and/or Repton Prep.

Planning and Goal Setting
• Complete annual planning and schemes of work for your training groups with a focus on developing swimmers technically for County, Regional and National competitions.
• Lead goal setting sessions for both your squad and the individuals in that squad, that outline process and outcome goals for each person.
• Consult with the coaching team and relevant staff on concerns in relation to squad guidelines.
• Identify appropriate competitions to attend to support the development of swimmers, communicating these to the Director of Swimming for the competition calendar.
• Communicate with swimmers and parents regarding training phases and key areas of focus for that training block.
• Ensure all relevant competitions are communicated, entered and administered effectively, in conjunction with other members of the team.
• Lead or support (as appropriate) with competition based events that the club host, including Level 3 Meets, Race Nights, Club Championships, school qualifying events and other elements of competition as required and as Directed by The Chair and Director of Swimming.

The Ideal Candidate

Qualifications & Experience
Proven track record of developing skillful swimmers to Regional and National level

Swim England Level 3 Senior Coach (or equivalent)
A minimum of five years’ professional coaching experience
Sports Coaching / Science degree or similar (desirable)
Strength and Conditioning / Athletic Development experience
UK driving licence essential.
Experience of the UK Club swimming system, to include competitions and pathways
Evidence of leading a small team of coaches

Knowledge
An appreciation of the protocols of swimming in the UK
Awareness of recent coaching methodology
Understanding of effective pastoral care
Knowledge and understanding of independent schools' sport provision (desirable)

Skills and abilities
Excellent organisationaland administrative skills
Strong communication and interpersonal skills; both written and verbal
Set high standards for themselves as well as demanding high standards of others at all times
Ability to inspire, motivate, develop and mentor young swimmers across both swimming and school life, as well as the ability to build strong relationships with all key stakeholders of the school and club
Ability to organiseand manage teams of people and collaborate effectively

Personal qualities
Willingness to be involved in the life of a busy boarding school
Aspirational and empathetic
An effective and collaborative team player
Flexible, fully committed and resourceful
Able to see the potential in every swimmer

About Repton School

Repton School, founded in 1557, is a leading co-educational School situated in the historic village of Repton. Five miles from Burton upon Trent and eight miles from Derby, Repton lies in the very centre of England. The School boasts a consistently fine academic record and is active and successful in a wide range of other activities. The School’s 600 plus pupils, both boys and girls, are predominantly boarders. Each belongs to one of the ten boarding houses. Repton prides itself on its long and close association with the village. 

With the establishment of Repton Dubai in 2007, Repton was a pioneer among UK independent schools in establishing overseas ‘branches’. Repton International Schools Ltd has now established a family of six international schools (seven as of September), with four in the UAE, one in China, one in Malaysia and Repton Cairo opening in September. The School takes great pride in its international family and works closely with its overseas partners to ensure that each Repton International school fully reflects the ethos and values of the UK school.

The School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment, therefore the following shall be deemed to be included, in addition to the duties that you may be required to perform:

Promoting and safeguarding the welfare of children and young persons for whom you are responsible and with whom you come into contact.

Under the Sexual Offences Act 2003 it is a criminal offence for a person over 18 (e.g. teacher, matron, sports coach) to have a sexual relationship with a child under 18 where that person is in a position of trust in respect of that child, even if the relationship is consensual. This applies where the child is in full-time education and the person works in the same establishment as the child, even if s/he does not teach the child. Moreover, whatever the age of the pupil, a sexual relationship between an employee and a pupil will be considered an abuse of a position of trust and gross misconduct, likely to result in dismissal.