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- Tasks: Engage and inspire young people through sports activities and coaching sessions.
- Company: Join Leicestershire County Council, dedicated to transforming lives through education.
- Benefits: Enjoy a unique learning environment, professional development, and flexible working options.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in the lives of young people who need support.
- Qualifications: Must have a recognised sports coaching qualification and experience with young people.
- Other info: Be part of a supportive team committed to inclusion and diversity.
The predicted salary is between 24000 - 36000 £ per year.
Organisation: Leicestershire County Council
Work Location: Oakfield Short Stay School Various Sites
Worker Category: Field Based Worker
Working Hours: 34 Hours term Time (39wks)
Contract Type: Fixed term for (12 Months)
Closing Date: 11th January 2026
Interview Date(s): TBC
About the Role
Oakfield Short Stay School is Leicestershire’s provision for primary and secondary school aged children who are at risk, or who have been permanently excluded from school. You will be part of a vital team in an exciting period of development, working with us to meet the needs of children and young people between the ages of 11 and 16 who struggle to manage in mainstream and need a different offer of education to secure their successful next steps.
Role Overview
This role is to use sports to engage pupils who struggle to engage in school. Our students have a variety of learning needs and learn in small groups. We are looking for a person who is creative, flexible, holistic, and has a trauma-informed approach, to raise engagement and inspire our children to achieve remarkable outcomes. You will be at the heart of our mission, working with small groups of learners and delivering sports programmes to captivate and inspire young people. The role would suit someone with excellent communication and interpersonal skills who can inspire others. Many of our young people present with challenging behaviour, and we are looking for someone who can demonstrate strong empathy and ability to intrinsically connect with pupils.
Key Responsibilities
- Teach and Inspire: To deliver high quality activities or coaching sessions.
- Support Reintegration: To advance pupil learning and inclusion of all pupils, ensuring they have equal opportunity to learn and develop.
- Collaborate with Agencies: Organise sports clubs liaising with staff and the admin team to ensure letters are sent out in a timely manner.
- Promote Inclusion: Demonstrate a commitment to inclusion, ensuring all pupils feel valued and supported.
What We Offer
- Unique Learning Environment: Experience a diverse and dynamic workplace where every day is different.
- Professional Development: Access opportunities for professional growth and bespoke training.
- Supportive Team: Join a highly skilled and supportive team of practitioners.
- Make a Difference: Play a crucial role in transforming the lives of young people.
- Flexibility: Options for part-time or full-time work to suit your lifestyle.
An enhanced DBS check is required for this post.
About You
To apply for this post, you must:
- A Sport England recognised award (e.g. fitness or movement & dance) or National Governing Body Coaching Award (level 2 or equivalent).
- Able to demonstrate competency in literacy and numeracy equivalent to level 2.
- Substantial experience of coaching young people.
- Experience of planning and delivering sports activity sessions in and after school.
- Understanding of the National Curriculum for physical education.
- Experience of working in a pupil referral unit, special school, ERB or with cohorts of pupils with additional needs.
You must also have an understanding of, and commitment to, equality, diversity and inclusion. In addition, we also expect you to share our commitment to our values and will ask you to evidence when you have demonstrated them as part of the selection process. Reasonable adjustments will be considered for applicants with a disability.
Interested in Flexible Working? We are keen to support employees to balance their working life with other commitments. Therefore, wherever possible, we will consider working arrangements that suit an individual’s personal circumstances whilst still meeting the needs of the Council.
If you would like to discuss the possible flexible working options that might be applicable to this role, please contact the person named below.
This may include requests for term-time working, part-time hours, compressed hours, flexible start and finish times, home/remote working, etc.
Every role within the Council has a defined working style which determines where they can work. The worker category applicable to this post is detailed in the above advert.
For more information or an informal discussion, please contact Vicky Edwards— Executive Headteacher Telephone: 07860 611280
To contact me via email, please click here.
How to Apply
Leicestershire County Council is an inclusive organisation which is on a journey to embed and celebrate equality, diversity and inclusion at every level. We warmly welcome and encourage applications from people of all backgrounds, as having a diverse workforce with different perspectives and ideas is fundamental to our values and enriches the services we offer our communities.
We particularly welcome applicants from Ethnically Diverse and LGBTQ Plus communities and people with disabilities to create a balanced workforce and one that reflects the communities we serve. Applicants with a disability who meet the criteria listed in the 'About You' section above will be offered an interview under the Disability Confident Employer Scheme.
To apply for this job, please click on the apply button. You will need to upload a supporting statement as part of your application which explains how you meet the criteria listed in the 'About You' section above.
For more information, see the How to Apply section on our career site.
We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications for the role. Therefore, if you are interested, please submit your application as early as possible.
If you have any technical issues when trying to apply for this post or you want to request an application pack in an alternative format, please contact our Employee Service Centre by telephoning 0300 3030222 (select option 2) or raising a ticket via our online portal: https://emss.org.uk/support.
Our aim is to work with communities and partners to deliver public services that make Leicestershire the best possible place to live and work for everyone. Our employees play a key role in supporting this goal and helping us deliver the vital services we provide to the people of Leicestershire.
For further information on what it’s like to work for us and the benefits we offer, please refer to the following:
Locations Oakfield Short Stay School North, Loughborough, LE12 9DB, GB Oakfield Short Stay School South, Earl Shilton, LE9 7PA, GB
Apply Before 01/11/2026, 11:59 PM
Assignment Category Fixed-Term Temporary Contract Reason Is subject to funding for the period of the contract.
Sports Coach employer: Nottingham City Council, Leicestershire County Council, East Midlands Group
Contact Detail:
Nottingham City Council, Leicestershire County Council, East Midlands Group Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Sports Coach
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the school and its mission! Research Oakfield Short Stay School and understand their approach to education. This will help you tailor your conversations during interviews and show that you're genuinely interested in making a difference.
✨Tip Number 2
Network like a pro! Connect with current or former staff members on LinkedIn or through local coaching events. They can provide insider tips and might even put in a good word for you when you apply through our website.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for the interview by thinking about how you can demonstrate your empathy and ability to connect with young people. Have examples ready that showcase your experience in coaching and working with diverse groups.
✨Tip Number 4
Follow up after your interview! A quick thank-you email can go a long way in showing your enthusiasm for the role. Plus, it keeps you on their radar as they make their decision.
We think you need these skills to ace Sports Coach
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Sports: When writing your application, let your enthusiasm for sports shine through! Share specific experiences where you've used sports to engage young people, especially those who might struggle in traditional settings. We want to see how you can inspire and motivate!
Tailor Your Supporting Statement: Make sure your supporting statement directly addresses the criteria listed in the job description. Highlight your relevant qualifications and experiences, especially those that demonstrate your understanding of working with diverse learners. This is your chance to stand out!
Be Authentic and Reflective: We love authenticity! Don’t just list your skills; reflect on how your experiences have shaped your approach to coaching. Share any challenges you've faced and how you've overcome them, particularly in a school or coaching environment.
Apply Early and Follow Up: Don’t wait until the last minute to submit your application! Apply as soon as you can, and if you have questions, feel free to reach out. We’re here to help, and showing initiative can really make a positive impression!
How to prepare for a job interview at Nottingham City Council, Leicestershire County Council, East Midlands Group
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you’re familiar with the role and the specific needs of the students you'll be working with. Brush up on your knowledge of trauma-informed approaches and how sports can engage young people who struggle in traditional settings.
✨Show Your Passion
During the interview, let your enthusiasm for coaching and working with young people shine through. Share personal stories or experiences that highlight your commitment to making a difference in their lives.
✨Demonstrate Empathy
Be prepared to discuss how you would handle challenging behaviours and support students with diverse needs. Use examples from your past experiences to illustrate your empathetic approach and ability to connect with pupils.
✨Ask Thoughtful Questions
Prepare some insightful questions about the school’s approach to inclusion and how they measure success. This shows that you’re genuinely interested in the role and want to contribute positively to their mission.
