HEAD OF FOOTBALL

Reports to: Assistant Head of Sport

Job Purpose: Gordonstoun has been leading the way in Hahnian education for more than 80 years. Our uniquely broad curriculum provides challenge in the classroom, at sea and in the mountains, on the stage and on the sports fields and enables students to discover the truth in our motto – Plus Est En Vous – there is more in you.
The Head of Football will lead and develop the football programme across both Schools, Gordonstoun and Gordonstoun Prep, working to achieve the ambition of establishing the leading Boarding School football programme in Scotland, competing at the highest level and considered alongside top UK football playing schools. Football will serve as a key channel for developing student sporting values, fostering local community engagement, and enabling international collaborations. With a professional approach to training, fixtures, and player development, our ambition is to attract students based on the quality of our programme while enhancing Gordonstoun’s national competitive standing and supporting school admissions.

Working Hours: 39 hours per week

Responsibilities of all members of staff:
• Adhere to Gordonstoun’s policies and procedures regarding Child Protection and Health and Safety
• Actively contribute to the school’s ethos, aligning with Gordonstoun’s core values: Safe, Positive, and Improving.
• Undertake any additional tasks as required to support the school’s operations and objectives.

Management and Development:
• Design and deliver a Football development plan in line with Gordonstoun’s ambition.

Leadership:
• Coordinate and attend preseason training camps in collaboration with the Athletic Development Coach before the start of each term, as directed by the Head of Sport.
• Plan and execute sports tours during term time and school holidays, aligning with the agreed touring strategy communicated by the Head of Sport.
• Support the delivery of fixtures through the necessary administration, including transport, equipment, catering requirements, and team supervision for both home and away matches.
• Take day-to-day responsibility for managing football at Gordonstoun, ensuring compliance with SISFA, SFA, SWF, and SYFA league and cup competition requirements.

Partnerships and Recruitment:
• Support the school’s recruitment efforts by showcasing the strength of its sports programme.
• Conduct admissions-related presentations, tours, and visits for both international and domestic recruitment.
• Attend coaching sessions at Scottish prep schools as directed by the Head of Sport to aid in recruitment efforts.

Sports Coaching:
• Lead the coaching football in each of the three terms. Plan and deliver well-structured sessions, ensuring a blend of skill development, tactical understanding, and physical fitness.
• Develop and implement a robust football curriculum for all students, ensuring alignment with best practices.
• Coach sport in the evenings, at weekends and, where appropriate, the mornings

Reporting:
• Write and submit termly student reports covering core sports and extracurricular activities across the school.

Administration:
• Manage sports equipment, kit, and maintenance requests relevant to the assigned area of responsibility.
• Ensure completion of risk assessments for all sports-related activities within the assigned area of responsibility.
• Lead and manage teams selections, promoting equal opportunities for students within playing squads and effectively communicating with students, parents, and staff.
• Attend and actively contribute to weekly Sports Coaches meetings, leading relevant upskilling sessions within the department.

Extent of Responsibilities:
• Deliver sports and activity sessions during the school day from Monday to Friday.
• Participate in the evening operations of the Sports Centre one evening per week.
• Lead Senior School sports activities on Saturday afternoons.
• Take part in the Sunday duty rota, overseeing inter-house events and managing sports facilities, including during leave-out weekends.

Pastoral and General Duties
• Assist with staff duties, being assigned to the various duty teams.
• Attend chapel at least twice a week.
• Attend full Staff Meetings in the Senior School.
• Attend major School functions.
• Candidates may also apply to be a Tutor which involves student support, boarding house duties and being part of the duty team; this attracts an additional payment.

Accommodation:
• For residential coaches, a room or flat suitable for single accommodation can be provided at a nominal charge. This must be vacated within three days of the end of the Summer Term. Coaches may also apply for a residence within a boarding house, where no charge is levied for accommodation in recognition of the duties associated with the role.
• All meals are provided in the school refectory during term time.