Job Title: Head of Rowing
This job description describes the practical purpose and main elements of the job. It is a guide
to the nature and main duties of the job as they exist currently, but is not intended as a wholly
comprehensive schedule.
About the School
Oundle School is one of the country’s leading co-educational boarding and day schools, with 860
boarding and 250 day pupils. A further 250 day pupils attend Laxton Junior School.
Oundle School enjoys a strong reputation for academic excellence as the core of an all-round
education. Departments follow GCSE, IGCSE, A level or pre-U courses.
In 2015, 64% of all Upper Sixth results were grade at A*/A or equivalent; at GCSE, 85% of all grades
were graded A*/A. 26 of the 2015 leavers secured places at Oxford or Cambridge. Developments
over recent years have sought among other things to support the love of learning in all pupils by
developing the non-examined curriculum.
The Department
Rowing operates out of two boat houses on the River Nene. One on the outskirts of Oundle and one
in Tansor which is about one mile from Oundle. The School employs two full time coaches and a
number of part time coaches. In addition to these coaches several academic staff coach for part of
the year. Rowing is offered to boys and girls in all age groups. Traditionally the Rowing Club has
offered a training camp in the Easter holidays.
Responsible to:
Director of Sport
Head of Academic Department (Teaching)
Responsible for (staff):
All Rowing Coaches
Boatman and Rowing Coaches
Job Purpose
To provide effective leadership and management of Rowing and thereby build and maintain an
effective teaching and coaching team which continually enhances the quality of learning and
achievement.
Head of Rowing JD – Jan 2016
The post holder will be responsible for running Rowing under the direction and guidance of the
Director of Sport ensuring that all teaching, coaching and administrative tasks are completed
efficiently, to ensure success, enjoyment and enthusiasm for Oundle School Rowing.
The post holder will teach an academic subject with a reduced timetable.
Budget
 To be responsible for generating and managing the budget for Rowing.
 To manage stock disposal in conjunction with the Bursar.
Leadership
 To create a vision, sense of purpose and pride in Oundle School Rowing Club.
 To be responsible for continuously improving the quality of teaching, coaching and
development of Rowing throughout the School;
 To act as the initial person for others to contact regarding all issues relating to Rowing
 To maintain a Rowing Development Plan.
 To play a major role as a middle manager in the development of all aspects of School Sport,
including its policies and their implementation.
 To identify and applaud areas of success for individual pupils, teams and coaching staff.
 To develop and maintain effective methods of communication with the Head, SMT, Director
of Sport, other staff, pupils, parents, governors, external agencies and the wider community.
 To maintain contact with British Rowing and ensure that the club and all coaching staff are
current and compliant with coaching methods and procedures.
Management
 To manage and develop the teaching and coaching staff to create an effective coaching body;
 To be responsible for the day to day management of the team including recruitment,
induction, managing performance and absence;
 To help create an effective staff team by promoting collective approaches to problem solving
and sporting development;
 To be responsible for maintaining discipline in Rowing and support staff during lessons/
coaching sessions as appropriate;
 To ensure that appropriate levels of coaching and competition are provided at all levels.
 To contribute to the production and maintenance of the Oundle School Sports handbook,
and to implement, monitor and evaluate all of its policies and documentation.
 To ensure that all Rowing complies with regulations laid down by Rowing’s Governing
Body.
 To be responsible for all Health and Safety aspects of Rowing, including Risk Assessments
 To organise the use of facilities for Rowing in conjunction with the Director of Sport, other
Heads of Sport, Head of Grounds and Gardens, the Catering Manager and the Lets and
Enterprise Manager.
 To communicate with pupils, staff and parents effectively using the School website and other
avenues.
Communication
 To meet regularly and work with the Director of Sport for professional support and to
develop effective departmental management.
 To liaise and communication effectively with other Heads of Sport
Head of Rowing JD – Jan 2016


To publish fixture arrangements on the school website, calendar and games programme;
To establish and facilitate effective relationships and communication with Heads of Sport,
Head of Grounds and Gardens, the Catering Manager and the Lets and Enterprise Manager
Professional Development
 To identify development opportunities for rowing coaching staff and organise in service
training within the Department and through external provisions.
 To delegate tasks in a way which maximises the use of available talent, experience and
enthusiasm and provides development opportunities for all staff.
 To assist in enhancing the professional development aspirations of colleagues.
 To personally keep up to date with developments and new ideas related to Rowing.
All sports staff are expected to:
 Support and contribute to the friendly and supportive ethos of the School, in relation to all
School staff, users and visitors.
 Maintain the highest professional standards.
 Participate in appraisal and staff development.
 Carry out any other duty commensurate with the post as may be reasonably required by the
line manager.
 To be familiar with the School and Sports Department handbooks and support all the
School’s policies.
 To establish effective working relationships with professional colleagues and associate staff.
 To strive for personal and professional development through active involvement in the
School’s appraisal system and performance management procedures.
The Teaching Role
The post holder will be expected to teach an academic subject and participate fully in the academic
life of the school. Any academic discipline is suitable for the post and this aspect of the role will
be discussed with the Head and Director of Studies at interview.
The normal teaching expectation is 52 periods per fortnight, however, in this combined role the
Head of Rowing will be expected to teach up to a maximum of 35 periods per fortnight and the
remainder will be devoted to Rowing duties.
All members of the academic staff are expected to contribute fully to the thriving extra-curricular
life of the School.
As with all members of the academic staff/ common room the post holder will act as a tutor to a
Boarding House or Laxton under the direction of a Housemaster or Housemistress.
Duties and Responsibilities
All job descriptions are subject to change according to circumstances. Any proposed changes will
be discussed with the post holder in advance.
These key tasks are not intended to be exhaustive, but they highlight a number of major tasks
that the post-holder may be reasonably expected to undertake.
Head of Rowing JD – Jan 2016
PERSON SPECIFICATION
The selection of candidates for short-listing will be based on this specification and candidates should
bear this in mind when preparing their application and completing the application form.
ESSENTIAL ATTRIBUTES
DESIRABLE ATTRIBUTES
QUALIFICATIONS
Full Clean Driving Licence.
Relevant coaching qualifications.
Degree in the subject offered for teaching
First Aid at Work.
Refereeing/Umpiring experience/qualifications.
Ability to coach another sport.
Teaching qualification
SPECIALIST SKILLS & EXPERIENCE
Experience of teaching/coaching children.
Administration experience, IT skills including
Experience of working with children and adults. MS Word and Excel.
Experience of coaching elite sport.
Leadership and management experience.
Experience of rowing at a high level
Experience of budgetary management.
Good literacy and numeric skills.
Good written and verbal communication skills.
PERSONAL QUALITIES
Good communicator.
Ability to work on own initiative.
Work within a team environment.
Ability to work flexible hours.
Note:
Every job description in the organisation will be subject to a review either:
 on an annual basis at the time of the annual appraisal meeting, or
 as a result of a change in strategic direction, or
 as a result of a team/ operational requirements, or
 as a result of agreed performance appraisal needs and objectives, or
 within six months of appointment
It is the shared responsibility of the post holder and the Head to ensure that job description is kept
up to date. Every job description in the organisation will be subject to a review either on an annual
basis at the time of the annual appraisal meeting, or when there is a significant change to the role.
As this is a new post the School anticipates that this job description will be reviewed within three
years.
THE SCHOOL IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES EMPLOYER
Head of Rowing JD – Jan 2016
EMPLOYMENT INFORMATION
This post is subject to a 10 month probationary period. On completion, you will be expected to
participate in the School’s appraisal system. The tenure of the Head of Rowing will be initially for
five years renewable for a further five years by mutual consent.
All members of staff are appointed to the School as a whole and may reasonably be asked to
undertake similar or related duties in a department or team other than that to which they were
originally appointed, or for any subsidiary company.
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. The successful applicant will be
subject to appropriate safeguarding checks including a check by the Disclosure and Barring Service.
All staff are required to provide evidence of identity, evidence of their entitlement to work in the
United Kingdom, and evidence of qualifications declared on their application form.
Salary:
According to the appropriate point on the School’s salary scale.
Accommodation:
Accommodation may be available
Hours of Duty:
During School Quarters, the teacher shall work all school hours, while the
school is in session, and at any other time (including during school holidays,
at weekends and before and after the School’s normal start and finish times)
as may be necessary (in the opinion of the Head) for the proper performance
of the teacher’s duties.
Working weeks:
Quarter Time is approximately 33 weeks per year.
Holidays:
All holidays must be taken during Oundle School holiday periods, not during
Quarter time or when requested to attend a School trip during a holiday
period. There is a requirement to work any Bank Holiday when the School is
in operation (currently the first May day).
Application closing date: 08/02/2016
Interview date: 11/02/2016
Completed application forms should be returned to:
Vania Murphy, Recruitment Co-ordinator, The Bursary, Church Street, Oundle PE8 4EE
Email: [email protected] tel: 01832 277193
Queries relating to the specifics of the role should be directed to:
Tracy Heath, PA to the Deputy Head (Academic)
Email: [email protected] tel: 01832 277122
JD Head of Rowing Jan 2016