Head of Hockey Development — Lead & Inspire Pupils

Teacheroo; St Andrews; On-site; GBP 27,000 - 33,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Potential residential duties within a?

Competitive salary

Job summary

St Leonards School invites applications for a Director of Hockey to lead the school's hockey programme, fostering enjoyment and ambition among players of all levels. The role includes coaching, programme development, and close collaboration with staff and coaches.

The position offers a competitive salary of around £30,000 and may be resident or non-resident, with duties aligned to school boarding arrangements and term-time hours.

Qualifications

• Experience coaching hockey with children or young people and the ability to develop players of different abilities.
• A relevant hockey coaching qualification, or equivalent coaching experience appropriate to the role.
• Sound technical and tactical knowledge, with the ability to plan purposeful sessions and develop a school hockey programme.
• The ability to lead and encourage colleagues, communicate clearly with pupils and parents, and work as part of a school sports team.
• Good organisation, reliability and a positive approach to pupil participation, development and wellbeing.
• Commitment to safeguarding and to meeting the School’s required recruitment checks and training requirements.

Responsibilities

• Lead hockey programme within the School’s wider sporting priorities, agreeing achievable development objectives with the Director of Sport.
• Develop a coherent approach to hockey across age groups, with a clear progression from introductory participation to school team performance.
• Review the programme each season, using pupil participation, player progress, team development and feedback to identify practical improvements.
• Encourage enthusiasm for hockey and create a positive team culture based on effort, respect and sportsmanship.
• Plan and deliver engaging coaching sessions appropriate to pupils’ ages, experience and abilities.
• Set clear coaching principles and work with colleagues to ensure a consistent approach to technical skills, tactical understanding and player development.
• Guide and encourage staff involved in hockey, sharing session ideas and constructive coaching feedback.
• Identify pupils with potential and help them access suitable club or development opportunities, while maintaining opportunities for pupils who play for enjoyment.
• Lead team selection and preparation, applying a fair and transparent approach and communicating expectations clearly to pupils.
• Coach and attend agreed fixtures and competitions, reviewing performances to inform future training.
• Work with the Director of Sport and relevant staff on a suitable training and fixture programme, providing the hockey information needed for school administrative and transport arrangements.
• Work collaboratively with the Director of Sport, PE staff and other coaches to deliver the programme within agreed resources.
• Communicate constructively with pupils and parents about hockey participation, progress and team expectations, referring wider pastoral matters to the appropriate school staff.
• Maintain useful links with local clubs and relevant hockey organisations to improve playing and development opportunities.
• Follow school safeguarding and health and safety procedures, ensure sessions are appropriately supervised and report welfare, injury or equipment concerns promptly.

Skills

Coaching hockey with children

Coaching qualification or equivalent

Technical and tactical knowledge

Lead and encourage colleagues

Organisation and reliability

Safeguarding commitment

Education

Hockey coaching qualification

Job description

St Leonards School invites applications for a Director of Hockey to lead the school's hockey programme, fostering enjoyment and ambition among players of all levels. The role includes coaching, programme development, and close collaboration with staff and coaches.

The position offers a competitive salary of around £30,000 and may be resident or non-resident, with duties aligned to school boarding arrangements and term-time hours.