Head of Hockey in England

The Head of Hockey will be responsible for the planning, development, and delivery of coaching within all areas of the Reed’s hockey programme. The role-holder will be responsible for planning the development of pupils of all standards to maintain Reed’s position at the forefront of school hockey. There will also be a requirement to assist with other sports where required throughout the academic year. This role will be a full time, term time only, including the expectation to attend hockey and sports fixtures at weekends, as well as tours and trips. The role is well suited to a highly qualified coach, and preferably an individual who has experience of running a school sports programme. The ability to teach an academic subject is desirable, but not essential. There will also be the opportunity to take on a tutor group. This role will report into the Director of Sport.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

• Implement a strategic vision for Reed’s Hockey to provide opportunities for all pupils, as well as aiming for success of our competitive teams.
• Lead and inspire the team of hockey coaches across the boys and girls’ programmes.
• Coach hockey throughout the school, to all ages and ability levels.
• Promote Reed’s hockey through leading a programme of tours and social events.
• Develop links and manage partnerships with outside agencies and clubs.
• Oversee a programme of pre-season and after-school training.
• Manage and coordinate the hockey fixtures programme, in liaison with the Director of Sport and Head of Girls’ Sport.
• Ensure, as far as reasonably practicable, that the balance of fixtures played allow participation for as many pupils as possible.
• Aim for ALL pupils in The Close have experience of external fixtures.
• In liaison with the Head of Strength and Conditioning manage the players’ workload.
• Oversee the coordination of all match arrangements including hospitality, catering, transport and umpires.
• Enhance the professional skills of all involved in hockey and appraising their performance.
• Maintain positive and effective communication with all members of the Reed’s community including pupils, parents and staff.
• The upkeep of spreadsheets, SOCs and Firefly on fixture information, squad selection & results.
• Produce risk assessments for hockey and ensure that the School adheres to directives and guidelines issued by England Hockey.
• Oversee the administration of hockey matters, including management of the hockey budget and development of equipment and facilities.
• Oversee the effective use of facilities, both internal and in communication with RSE for any external lets.
• Coordinate a briefing for all hockey staff at the beginning of the relevant term.
• Overall responsibility for developing a programme for high performing players within hockey.
• Engage with outside bodies and professional coaches to enhance provision for high performing players.
• Devise, review and implement a plan for the recruitment and retention of high performing players.
• Use video and statistical analysis to enhance the hockey programme for teams and individuals.
• Undertake such other comparable duties as the Headmaster requires from time to time.
• Promote and safeguard the welfare of children and young people for whom you are responsible and with whom you come into contact.

Interested applicants are encouraged to submit a completed application as soon as possible. The School reserves the right to interview and appoint before the closing date, should a suitable candidate present themselves. 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. Applicants will be required to undergo child protection screening appropriate to the post, including checks with past employers and the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS). The School may carry out online searches on shortlisted applicants and all applicants will be required to provide details of their online profile, including social media account names/handles, as part of their application. This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. The School is therefore permitted to ask job applicants to declare all convictions and cautions on a self-declaration form in advance of attending an interview (including those which are "spent" unless they are "protected" under the DBS filtering rules) in order to assess their suitability to work with children.