Reading Blue Coat School – Rowing Coach (part-time)

Reporting to the Head of Rowing, we require an enthusiastic, conscientious and skilled rowing coach to deliver a comprehensive and high standard rowing programme that is both recreational and competitive across a range of age groups and abilities.

The coach will work during term time, for 14 hours per week, including Saturdays, as well as some hours during training camps and Summer Courses in the school holidays.

About the Boat Club

Reading Blue Coat is situated on the river Thames between Sonning and Caversham, close to the Redgrave Pinsent Rowing Lake, a training centre for GB Rowing. We enjoy a four kilometre long, quiet stretch of river on which to train. Our spacious Boat House is located within the school grounds on the Thames.

The Boat Club has grown significantly over the last decade, with participation levels rising on a yearly basis. Our athletes are keen to learn and eager to improve. Continued interest amongst our student population and a drive to improve performance, has created the need to appoint an additional coach to support the current team, it is a fantastic opportunity to join a developing and exciting program.

Along with several local Head of the River races and Regattas, Blue Coat also targets the “big three” races; Schools’ Head of the River, National Schools’ and Henley Royal Regatta. With thriving numbers and increasing performance levels, Blue Coat Boat Club is competitive on the National Stage and in the 2021-22 season, won the “First Eights” category at Schools Head of the River for the first time in the school’s history. The Boat Club has continued to progress and went on to have the most successful season to date during 2023-24 with an 11th place finish in Championship Eights at Schools’ Head, and a competitive Henley campaign.

Over the last few years there have been several pupils entered into Great Britain trials where our trialists’ have been competitive in this top tier.

Pupils can take rowing as an option in Games from Year 9 (aged 13 – 14). Each year group has its own games afternoon. Rowing training regularly takes place after school and on Saturday’s.

The activities of the Club are supported by our Rowing Parents Association, an enthusiastic and determined group of parents, who generously augment the budget made available to rowing by the school.

Over the summer the school also hosts Summer Rowing Courses.

For an informal telephone conversation about the role, contact Jonny Jackson, Head of Rowing, on 0118 933 5887 or email [email protected]

Main purpose of the job

Will work closely with the Head of Rowing to deliver a comprehensive and high standard rowing programme, both recreational and competitive, across a range of age groups and abilities.

Main Responsibilities

COACHING

• Coach on games afternoons, after school sessions and Saturdays.
  Coach and manage crews at regattas and head races, both rigging boats, launching crews for racing and helping them in once they have raced.
  To display a sound knowledge of rowing and sculling techniques.
  To coach a crew and, if required, to take responsibility for a year group.
  Under the guidance of the Head of Rowing, coach on Rowing Courses/Camps (usually during the summer school break), including a Rowing “Taster” Week.

RIGGING

• To rig boats and blades accurately as directed by coaches.

MAINTENANCE OF BOATS AND BLADES

• Ensure the boats and ancillary equipment are maintained in a water-worthy condition, in accordance with the British Rowing water safety code.

MAINTENANCE OF BOATHOUSE

• Ensure the boathouse is kept clean, tidy and safe. Equipment is to be stored in the correct manner and in an orderly fashion and where there is any doubt refer to the Head of Rowing (who has overall responsibility for safety).

LAUNCHES

• Ensure that the launches are maintained in a good condition.
• Help to maintain safety equipment on the launches in conjunction with Head of Rowing.

SAFETY

• Safety is the Boat Club’s top priority. Support the Head of Rowing and the Coaches with all the safety regulations on and off the water.
• Report incidents on the British Rowing website using the incident logbook.
• Maintain the safety equipment within the boathouse, on the launches, in the truck and in the trailer.

ADDITIONAL DUTIES

• Perform any other reasonable task required within the limits of capability.
• The post holder is responsible for promoting and safeguarding the welfare of pupils at the school.
• The post holder is responsible for using technical and operational knowledge to ensure a safe environment.

Please note that this Job Description is not exhaustive and the employee may be expected to undertake additional duties if required.

Person sepcification

The person specification focuses on the knowledge, skills, experience and qualifications required to undertake the role effectively. It is expected that the successful applicant will have and can demonstrate:

Essential

• An able coach with an ability to work with rowers of all abilities and have previous experience of coaching young people.
• Exhibit demonstrable leadership qualities.
• Has a sound understanding of the principles of rigging and be able to rig boats and blades accurately as directed by coaches.
• Be very enthusiastic and energetic.
• Be passionate about rowing.
• Works well in a team environment.
• Excellent communication skills.
• Able to communicate well with parents, pupils and staff.
• Trustworthy and reliable.
• Prepared to work in all weathers.
• Self-motivated.
• Good attention to detail.
• Able to work autonomously and on own initiative.

Desirable

• Educated to degree level preferred but not essential.
• UKCC Rowing Level 2 qualification preferred.
• Previous experience of working in a school.
• Licenced to drive a minibus.
• Hold a full, valid driving licence.

Further details and an application form can be downloaded from our website: www.rbcs.org.uk/vacancies or contact the HR department, Tel: 0118 933 5813 email: [email protected]

Closing date: 09:00 on Friday, 7 February 2025

Applications must be submitted to the email address above by application form (which can be found on our website) and accompanied by your covering letter. Applicants must already be eligible to work in the UK.

Salary: £8,543 p.a.

Type: 14 hours per week (Mon, Tues and Weds afternoons and Saturday mornings)

Application Dates: From Thursday 30th January 2025 to Friday 7th February 2025