Education Director (Junior Schools) in Scotland

St. Leonards School is recruiting proactive, enthusiastic, and dedicated sports graduates to join our friendly team of residential staff and fully engage in the vibrant life of our bustling boarding community. The ideal candidate will excel in facilitating a diverse range of sporting and recreational activities, enjoy the company of young people, possess a pastoral mindset, and thrive in a close and mutually supportive environment. Sport is integral to the life of our school, and we are keen to provide our students with a variety of physical activities to support their well-being. Whether it is swimming, golf, tennis, football, strength and conditioning, or any other sport, we welcome candidates with expertise in these areas.

The primary concern of each Housemaster/Housemistress is the care and welfare of all boarding students and they are considered to be in loco parentis. The Residential Sports Graduate ultimately supports the Housemaster/Housemistress in this task.

• Maintain effective communication with the Housemaster/Housemistress to plan for and carry out daily, weekly, and termly duties under their direction.
• Supervise boarding students at all times, from early morning routines through to lights out.
• Maintain high expectations and levels of discipline to encourage students to be polite, punctual, diligent and supportive of one another.
• Foster the physical, social, cultural and spiritual development of all students, both boarding and day students.
• Be familiar with the Student Handbook and encourage the high standards of appearance and behaviour required of St Leonards’ students.
• Adopt a zero-tolerance approach to bullying, harassment, alcohol or substance abuse, raising any concerns to the Housemaster/Housemistress or Deputy Head (boarding).
• Undertake house duties which may include general cleaning and tidying, laundry etc. as and when required.
• Accompany students for weekend or evening trips, sporting fixtures etc.
• Help students and colleagues to organise social events for students.
• Help out with staffing the airport at the start and end of term and half-terms together with other resident house tutors.
• Administer and oversee travel arrangements for boarding students at the start and end of term/half term.
• Observe office practice in the duty room areas during office hours (07:00–23:00).
• Liaise with the School’s Medical Centre regarding the general health and welfare of boarding students.
• Monitor the security of the Boarding House and challenge students and/or visitors if that security is breached.
• Welcome visitors and prospective families to the Boarding House and conduct tours of the House when required.
• Raise ICT requests through the Helpdesk for any problems encountered (e.g. Wi-Fi connectivity, printer issues) on behalf of boarding students.
• Maintain awareness of Health & Safety regulations, applying principles within the Boarding House and carrying out spot checks as required.
• Participate in regular fire practices and test the fire alarm on a weekly basis, documenting activities on behalf of the Fire Officer.
• Command the evacuation of the boarding house in case the fire alarm sounds.
• Attend house staff meetings and lead student boarder meetings within the house as required.

Demonstrate an understanding of and adhere to the St Leonards School Child Protection policy; adhere to, uphold and support all the School’s policies and Development Plans; demonstrate a working knowledge of contractual, pastoral and legal responsibilities; actively contribute to the ethos of the School, fostering positive working relationships among staff, parents and children; report concerns about the welfare, progress or behaviour of students to the Housemistress/Housemaster; understand how responsibilities are shared among staff and support colleagues, including those with curriculum, guidance, learning support and staff development duties; be willing to gain an understanding of the IB Diploma programmes; familiarise yourself with and adhere to the Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC) Codes of Practice; register with SSSC and maintain the online PRTL log.

NB. All pastoral staff who are not registered with the General Teaching Council of Scotland (GTCS) must register with the Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC). Registration must occur within three months of starting in post. Within three years of registration, you will be required to obtain the Children and Young People Scottish Vocational Qualification (SVQ3). St Leonards will fund one attempt at obtaining this qualification; further attempts are self-funded. Failure to secure this qualification will prohibit the School from employing you in a care role and may result in the termination of your employment with the School.

Hours of work are term time only with one day off per week (24 hours). Must be in residence prior to boarders’ return at term start and prior to In-service days at the start of term; new House Tutors must be in residence the evening prior to the induction day if earlier. Must be available for any induction programmes or INSET provided by St Leonards. Must be in residence on the day students return at half-term and, on a rotation basis, be on duty from 13:00 on this day. On a rotation basis, must service the start of term/half-term airport runs; previously may require working before houses open. During tidying, must be in residence/on duty for up to 24 hours after the end of term and up to 5 hours after the end of half-term. Weekly duty is between 07:00 and 23:00. Hours remain largely fixed but shift swaps sanctioned by the Housemaster/Housemistress may occur. May be designated as ‘available’ overnight in case of emergency; will be paid for disturbed hours if sleep is disrupted. Single accommodation is provided in the boarding house. May be required to sleep in other boarding houses when needed; staff are expected to be flexible. Meals are available and free of charge in the school dining room during term time. May be asked to support wider school needs such as school trips, chaperoning sport fixtures or hospital visits.

Work with the Director of Sport to assist with the full range of games coaching or other outdoor activities, including early evening and weekend team practice, matches or hobbies/activities; support swimming, athletics, badminton, basketball, tennis, hockey, squash and a variety of other activities. Support the Games department in the delivery of PE/Games lessons and in the preparation of resources and equipment. Support the department’s organisation of major school events, including inter-house sporting events. Contribute to the promotion of sport as a healthy lifestyle choice. Provide support in academic lessons, including preparation of resources, photocopying and giving assistance in lessons. In consultation with Deputy Heads, develop links with other academic departments; support needs of particular students and undertake ad-hoc duties and projects of interest to the resident graduate’s professional development.

Person Specification

Education, Training and Qualifications

• Essential: Sports Coach Qualification.
• Desirable: SVQ3 Children and Young People qualification. Educated to HND/Degree level.

Experience

• Essential: Experience and understanding of pastoral support. Evidenced experience in sports coaching at club or school level.
• Desirable: Experience working with teenage students in an educational setting. Relevant experience of working in a care environment.

Skills

• Essential: Ability to listen to, understand and support the issues faced by teenage students. Good oral and written communication skills with an excellent telephone manner. Strong ICT skills. Enthusiasm to inspire in students a desire to learn and participate in sports and working as a team.
• Desirable: Skills and experience which can contribute to extra-curricular activities.

Interpersonal Skills

• Essential: Ability to confidently deal with a wide range of people including staff, students and parents. Resilient. An ‘above and beyond’ attitude to work and supporting the team. Approachable and empathetic to the needs of others. Able to handle sensitive, confidential issues with a degree of maturity and professionalism. Ability to work independently and use initiative where appropriate. Well-organised with excellent attention to detail. Ability to work calmly under pressure. Commitment, goodwill and a caring, positive outlook towards life. Flexible: Able to deal with a change of plans at very short notice. Professional manner and appearance.
• Desirable: Empathy with teenage children and the benefits of secondary education. Comfortable working with people from a variety of backgrounds, countries and cultures.

This is not intended to be an exhaustive list of responsibilities and duties. It is expected that the post-holder will participate in other reasonable activities which may be required to meet the needs of the School or for better fulfilment of the role.