Sir William Borlase’s Grammar School - Director of Rowing - British Rowing

June 12, 2020

Sir William Borlase’s Grammar School – Director of Rowing

Full Time – Required for September 2020

£27,300 – £30,000 FTE depending on experience

Sir William Borlase’s Grammar School, founded in 1624, is a selective-entry, co-educational grammar school located on its original site in the centre of the Thames-side town of Marlow. The school is proud of its excellent academic record placing it highly in national league tables and of its exceptional achievements in sport and the arts.

Borlase Rowing Club was established in 1921 and is known for its competitiveness in rowing at national and international level. The club has enjoyed substantial successes at the National Schools’ Regatta and Junior World Championships and is particularly associated with success in The Fawley Challenge Cup at Henley Royal Regatta. This is an exciting time to take on the leadership of the club as it celebrates its centenary in the summer of 2021.

The club has over 130 members from Year 9 to Year 13, boys and girls, who train on the river at Marlow, a 10-minute walk from the school. The Director of Rowing is supported by a part time Assistant Director of Rowing and Administrator for Rowing. The highly committed Parents Support Group fund junior coaches and members of the teaching staff also contribute to coaching. The school is proud of its excellent fleet of boats, blades and gym equipment. We currently row out of Longridge and have plans for a new Boat House in place.

For an application form please visit our website and click on Job Vacancies.

Please complete the application form, including a letter of application and return to Anna Summerfield, HR Manager at [email protected] by Monday 22nd June 2020. Interviews will be on Friday 26th June 2020.

Short-listed candidates will be invited to visit Longridge to see our fleet of boats on 24th June 2020.

The school is fully committed to the DCSF guidance on Safeguarding Children and Safer Recruitment in Education and all candidates for the post will therefore be subject to vetting procedures following Buckinghamshire County Council’s guidance on Safer Recruitment and Selection in Schools

The Role

The school seeks to appoint a talented and inspirational director who has the technical, management and leadership skills to deliver and build on the school’s vision for rowing. The successful candidate needs to have the passion, drive and commitment to lead a high-performance sculling centre preparing athletes to compete in The Fawley Challenge Cup and the Diamond Jubilee Cup, and in other boat types including eights across the major regattas and competitions.

The Core School Vision

To inspire girls and boys to develop a passion for rowing at Borlase, creating opportunities and encouraging growth in participation.
To empower all rowers to perform to the best of their ability including those with the potential to compete at elite level.
To identify and allocate resources and training to achieve the core vision above.

Key Responsibilities

Set out a clear vision and strategy to take Rowing forward linking it to the coaching and training programme and resources development plan, including a boat purchasing policy.
Work positively and collaboratively with the Assistant Director of Rowing and junior coaches to inspire and empower them to share in delivering the vision and strategy.
Ensure they have the equipment and requisite qualifications in place to coach and support the junior squad safely and effectively.
Share the rowing strategy linking it to funding and resources needs with the Director of Sport and the Parents Support Group to inform the focus of their fund-raising.
Model and instil Borlase values and culture across the approach to rowing.
Inspire Year 8 girls and boys to take up rowing through introductory sessions and summer recruitment camp and develop a passion and enthusiasm for the sport.
Develop and run the training programmes for junior athletes developing skills and confidence in girls and boys.
Prepare junior athletes to compete in competitions at local and national level, developing experiences in octuples & other boat types
Develop and run a training programme for higher performing male and female athletes, with a particular focus on crew sculling at the Nationals and Henley Royal Regatta.
Develop higher performing athletes, and coxes, towards gaining selection to the national junior teams
While maintaining SWBGS overall strategy as a sculling centre, develop performance opportunities at every level in other boat types, including eights
Organise and lead training camps for junior and senior rowers.
Organise and attend all events where the athletes are competing including leading the transit of equipment
Plan all water and land-based sessions, whether in attendance or not.
Develop and operate a training programme for juniors who wish to cox;
Encourage all new juniors to successfully complete the club-based competency test in single sculls;
Lead and develop the junior coaching team, organise capsize drills and swim tests for the squad at least once a year.
Maintain Boats and sustain a culture among the club for respecting and caring for all resources and equipment.
Ensure all health and safety policies and procedures observe strictly the requirements of British Rowing and the School and are communicated clearly to all members of the club and parents.
Ensure the regulations at Longridge are adhered to or those applying to any area used by the club.
Ensure all Safeguarding guidelines are understood and followed by all staff and members of the club.
Manage a Rowing website and Social Media Account in conjunction with the school’s Communication Strategy.
Plan all arrangements for rowing events and camps using the Buckinghamshire Educational Visits process EVOLVE
Run an AGM and present vision and strategy to parents and rowers.
Communicate regularly, clearly and appropriately with all rowers and parents in line with the school’s communication strategy.
Ensure all matters of finance go through the school’s Finance Office efficiently.
Attend Parent Support Group Meetings and Events to raise funds for the Boat Club.

Line Management

The Director of Rowing reports to the Director of Sport and PE and also presents biannually to the Headteacher.

Professional and Personal Requirements

Level 2 Coaching Qualification
3 -5 Years’ experience coaching within a school rowing context
Proven experience and success in coaching junior sculling
Valid driving licence including trailer licence (or intent to attain trailer licence asap)
Passion, commitment and dedication to leading a high-performing sculling centre
Vision and ambition for the athletes
Strong communication skills
A high level of professionalism working with young people and adults
Understanding of the importance of Safeguarding and Health and Safety

Application Dates: From Friday 12th June 2020 to Monday 22nd June 2020