Port Regis is one of the country’s leading co-educational day and boarding schools for children aged two to thirteen. A school in which tradition and innovation have gone hand in hand for more than a century, we provide a thoughtful, rounded education that enables children to thrive. This education goes well beyond our beautiful buildings and outstanding facilities – it is rooted in our culture and values.

Role Profile

We are seeking to appoint a Head of Gymnastics who will be responsible for managing our gymnastics operations for Port Regis pupils and external gymnasts (children from Pre-School up to age 13 /Year 8 (Port Regis children) and age 18 / Year 13 (external gymnasts)).

This is an exciting opportunity to build and expand an already strong gymnastics team and operation.  Our coaching is mostly artistic but we coach some acrobatics too.  You will manage a small team of coaches and oversee the gymnastics coaching for:

• Port Regis pupils within the Port Regis timetable during term time (PE lessons teaching curriculum gymnastics and after school hobby sessions).
• External gymnastics – All club, squad and recreational groups for Port Regis and external gymnasts which are run all year round from 16.30-20.30 during the week and on Saturdays from 09.00-16.00.
• Pre-School and Toddler Gym sessions (where children are accompanied by parents/guardians).
• Gymnastics coaching sessions for groups of children from other local schools.
• All competitions and gymnastics performances and events.

Our gymnastics facility sits within a purpose-built Sports Centre alongside our 25m swimming pool.  The Sports Centre, known within the School as ‘Queens’, was opened by Queen Elizabeth II in 1991.

The successful candidate will work closely with our Director of Sport (who is responsible for all Port Regis sport and PE), Sports Centre Manager (who is responsible for all our external gymnastics and swim operations and the hiring of our sports facilities) and Head of Swimming and swim team.

The successful candidate must have a passion for gymnastics and management.  We are ideally looking for a skilled and experienced artistic gymnastics coach but this is not essential.  Our main priority is to find a candidate with the skills and experience to both oversee and improve the management of our gymnastics operations.

There is some flexibility around the hours of work to suit the preferred candidate.  We anticipate full-time during term time (around 40 hours a week), which will including evenings and weekends, and part-time during school holidays (around 20 hours a week).

Accommodation on site can also be provided if desired in lieu of boarding duties.  Please contact our Director of HR for further information (01747 857 802 or hr@portregis.com).

Remuneration and Benefits

The successful candidates can expect:

• Competitive rates of pay, pension and holiday benefits.
• Complimentary use of the School’s staff gym and Sports Centre.
• Delicious meals in our Dining Hall during term time and working hours.
• Generous school fee discount.
• To join a delightful team and exceptional working environment.

Start Date

To be agreed on appointment.

Job Description

Responsible to

Director of Sport (in relation to Port Regis gymnastics) and the Sports Centre Manager (in relation to external gymnastics).

Responsibilities

• Managing the gymnastics coaching programme for Port Regis children (in conjunction with the Director of Sport), children from other local schools and members of Port Regis Gymnastics Club (including Club, Recreational and Squad Groups; Pre-School and Toddler Gym; and curriculum PE lessons for external schools).
• Promoting Port Regis and the Port Regis Gymnastics Club.
• Preparing for all relevant competitions and squad sessions within the County, Region and Country. You would also be expected to be actively involved in Dorset and SW Gymnastics.
• Management of Port Regis Gymnastics Club. This includes marketing (in consultation with the Direction of Marketing), income generation, full utilisation of the gymnastics facility (minimising any void periods), staffing, squad selections, judging, competitions and finance.
• Organising school gymnastic competitions, displays and events, as required, as well as IAPS/GISGA/BSGA Championships when hosted by Port Regis.
• Teaching Gymnastics/PE to Port Regis children as directed by the Director of Sport. This includes responsibility for lesson planning and preparation; record-keeping; the regular production of assessments and reports in accordance with school policy.
• Training, mentoring and managing Gymnastics staff.
• Ensuring the Gymnastics facility and its equipment is maintained in accordance with sector-specific recommendations and guidelines.
• Assisting, if required, with the general management of the Sports Centre.
• Undertaking, if required, any other duties which might be reasonably directed by the Headmaster and Bursar or any other person acting on their behalf.
• Health and Safety – Membership of the school’s H&S Committee, accident reporting, risk assessments and ensuring safe practices.
• Administration – manage the following:
• BG Coach affiliations and membership
• Ensuring that all club/school gymnasts have the correct British Gymnastics Association Insurance in place
• School development plan with regard to gymnastics
• Budget preparation and in year financial management (to include overseeing all gymnastics invoicing and bookings)
• Group registers and numbers
• Competition entries
• Weekly staff meeting
• Staff timetables and manage annual leave
• Pupil reports
• School calendar entries for gymnastics
• Hobbies and games admin for gymnastics
• Prizes
• Staff appraisals and development training

General Duties

• Safeguarding and compliance with our Child Protection & Safeguarding Policy and procedures.
• Comply with statutory requirements for example the Health and Safety at Work Act and the Data Protection Act and School policies and procedures in this regard.
• Adhere to the school’s training requirements and policies as contained in iAMCompliant.
• Maintain positive and effective communication with all members of the Port Regis community including pupils, staff, parents and Old Port Regians (OPRs); external users; the local community; and outside agencies.
• Ensure the reflection of Port Regis’ values in all communications.
• Provide regular content for parent newsletters and external audiences as required.
• Work with the Director of Marketing and Sports Centre team to promote the School.
• To carry out and implement risk assessments as required.
• Be available to communicate with parents, governors, and other groups or individuals on departmental matters.
• Undertake other such duties as may reasonably be required from time to time.

Person specification

Essential

• A commitment to promoting and safeguarding the welfare of children.
• The skills and experience to manage and improve our gymnastics operations.
• Passion for gymnastics and the benefits for all children.
• Excellent interpersonal skills – the ability to develop strong relationships with gymnasts, parents and colleagues.
• Motivated to work with young people, able to form and maintain appropriate rapport and emotional resilience.
• A strong team player.
• Flexibility – the ability to commit to working during evenings, weekends and school holidays.
• Be willing to ‘go the extra mile’ and be flexible around the needs of the gymnastics operation.
• A kind, caring and cheerful nature.
• Adaptable and calm under pressure.

Desired

• Experience of managing a similar setting.
• Level 1 (or above) gymnastics coaching qualification.
• Experience of coaching children aged 2-13.

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

Port Regis is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion.  We encourage applications from a diverse range of suitably qualified candidates, including candidates wishing to work flexibly and requiring reasonable adjustments.

Application Procedure

If you feel you can meet the requirements of the post, I would be delighted to hear from you.  Please complete the application form linked with this advert and send it, along with a covering letter, to our Director of HR & Legal, Mrs Geraldine White at (hr@portregis.com) or via post to Port Regis, Motcombe Park, Shaftesbury, Dorset SP7 9QA at your earliest convenience and to arrive as soon as possible and before 08.30 on Monday 6 January 2025.  Please read the Explanatory Notes and Child Protection & Safeguarding Policy in conjunction with your application.

Vacancies

Sally Ehlen

Bursar

Note: Port Regis School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. Applicants must undergo child protection screening, including checks with past employers and the Disclosure and Barring Service.