Boatperson and Rowing Coach

The purpose of the Boatperson / Rowing Coach is to support the Head of Rowing in facilitating the development of rowing at Winchester College. It will involve close and effective work with the Head of Rowing and the wider coaching team, to promote a safe and progressive coaching environment for all members of Winchester College Boat Club (WCBC).

The Boatperson / Rowing Coach will be responsible for the maintenance, repair and transportation of the boats and equipment of the WCBC fleet, ensuring all equipment is kept in excellent working order. The role will also include the regular transportation of boats and equipment between the WCBC boathouse and the club’s secondary training location in Southampton, as well as to regattas, races and training camps throughout the season.

In addition, the Boatperson / Rowing Coach will have responsibilityfor maintaining the safety and operational aspects of the Winchester College Boat Club boathouse. Working closely with the Head of Rowing and the experienced coaching team, the successful candidate will help develop the technical, physical and personal performance of the young athletes within the programme while contributing positively to the wider culture of the club.

This is an excellent opportunity for an ambitious coach looking to further develop their coaching, leadership and programme management skills. The position offers valuable experience working within an excellent school rowing environment and would particularly suit someone aspiring to progress into a future Director / Head of Rowing role.

RESPONSIBILITIES OF BOATPERSON AND ROWING COACH

Key Responsibilities

• Assist the Head of Rowing and other coaching staff with the administration, logistics, transportation and delivery of training via attendance at all race days, training camps, selection trials and any other on and off-site events.

• Assist with the organisation, equipment provision and transportation for all training, race days, training camps, selection trials.

• Assist in capsize drill training at the start of each new academic year, or at desired times throughout the year.

• Maintain accurate records of capsize drills and swim tests and follow up any omissions or unsuccessful assessments.

• Supports the Head of Rowing in preparing, implementing and reviewing risk assessments and safe operating procedures

• To support the HoR with administering race entries with year groups, for regattas and travel arrangements for pupils and staff.

• To support the HoR and other coaching staff with any community / prep school outreach programmes.

• To work closely with the HoR to deliver high-quality rowing coaching to pupils aged 13 – 18

• To assist the HoR and other rowing coaches in the recording and monitoring of pupil’s progress with all their land based and water training.

• Work successfully and communicate effectively as part of a small coaching team.

• Promote the values of fair play, teamwork and competition and respect for officials and British Rowing rules.

• Promote an ethos of good practice among student rowers with regard to the use and care of boathouse equipment

Boathouse and equipment management

• Take responsibility for the safe, secure and orderly day-to-day operation of the boathouse.

• Inspect, service, maintain and arrange the repair of boats, oars, launches, outboard motors, trailers and safety equipment.

• Develop and maintain planned maintenance schedules and accurate servicing, inventory and defect records.

• Remove unsafe equipment from use immediately and ensure that serious defects are reported and addressed promptly.

• Manage tools, spares, fuel, batteries, personal protective equipment and other consumables.

• Ensure that workshop activities comply with relevant requirements relating to COSHH, manual handling and safe systems of work.

• Liaise with contractors and relevant College departments concerning building and equipment maintenance and repairs.

• Maintain appropriate standards of cleanliness, security, access control and storage.

• Support the Head of Rowing with equipment procurement and management of the relevant budget.

This role profile highlights the key tasks and responsibilities of the role, it is not designed to be an exhaustive list of duties. Roles naturally change and develop over time and it is expected that incumbents will perform tasks which are not included within their role profiles.

Essential

• Experience of maintaining and repairing boats and rowing equipment, together with practical capability in routine building maintenance.

• A full UK driving licence with the appropriate entitlement to tow the College’s boat trailer, together with demonstrable experience of towing safely.

• Sound knowledge and experience of a competitive rowing environment.

• Ability to plan effectively and deliver against agreed objectives.

• Excellent communication skills, with the confidence and ability to give clear instructions.

• Ability to work effectively and supportively as part of a team, including the ability to lead and be led within a wider organisational environment.

• Excellent time-management and organisational skills, with the ability to work independently and manage competing priorities.

• A reliable, enthusiastic and positive approach.

• Commitment to respecting and valuing the different experiences, ideas and backgrounds of others.

• A good level of ICT competence.

Desirable

• A minibus driving licence with the appropriate entitlement to drive the College’s vehicles.

• RYA Powerboat Level 2 certification.

• A British Rowing coaching qualification at Instructor’s Award level or above, an equivalent recognised qualification, or demonstrable experience of high-performance coaching.

BENEFITS, TERMS AND CONDITIONS AND APPLICATION

Start Date

Flexible start date for the right candidate with preference for commencement at the beginning of the next academic year, 01 09 2026.

Hours of Work

This is a permanent, full-time position working 40 hours per week. Because of the nature of the role, working hours will vary and will include scheduled early mornings, evenings and weekends, together with attendance at training camps and competitions. The normal working pattern will be agreed with the Head of Rowing and communicated in advance. Any additional hours must be authorised and recorded and will normally be compensated by time off in lieu, taken during an agreed period and subject to operational requirements.

Salary

£30,000-£33,000, commensurate with qualifications and experience. Salary is paid monthly, in arrears, to a nominated bank account in 12 equal payments.

Induction and Continuous Training and Development

The school is fully committed to the induction, training and development of all our staff, with staff supported to grow and reach their full potential.

We deliver a range of training, run by both our own staff and external providers, varying from highly practical First Aid courses to seminars and learning lunches on many aspects of teaching and learning.

There is an annual cycle of appraisal offering the opportunity to reflect on professional practice and development opportunities.

The school also offers a wide range of apprenticeships supporting staff development and progression.

Pension and Life Cover

On employment, employees will be auto-enrolled into the College’s pension scheme according to legislative thresholds. Those who are not eligible for auto-enrolment may still elect to join the College’s pension scheme.

Initially, when joining the College’s pension scheme, employees will become a member of the College’s Group Personal Pension Plan (GPP). For this Plan, known as Tier 1, the employee contributes 4% and the employer 3%. After 9 month’s membership of the Tier 1 plan, employees may opt to join Tier 2, which is also a GPP, where the employee contributes 5% and the employer 9%. Employees in Tier 1 automatically qualify for a Life Cover of 2 times salary. On entry to Tier 2,

Life Cover changes to 4 times salary.

Annual Leave

The College leave year runs from 1 September to 31 August. This position will be entitled to 28 days annual leave , which includes the usual Public Bank Holidays. Any Public Bank Holiday occurring during term time is deemed to be a normal working day. All leave must be taken by prior arrangement and must be taken outside of the school’s term times.

Subject to the discretion of the school’s Bursar, a gift may also be given of extra time off during the Christmas period.

Wider Benefits

• Free staff lunches during term time.

• Free use of some sports facilities and discounted hire charges for others

• Tour of the College, with discounted rates available for booking venues within the school’s grounds for hospitality events.

• Cycle to work scheme.

• Free access to an ongoing cycle of cultural, musical, theatrical and sporting talks and events.

• Employee Referral Scheme, with a reward of up to £250 for staff (subject to scheme conditions).

• Free Library membership with access to a range of online journals and magazines.

• Reduced green fee rates for local golf course.

Disclosure Check

As Winchester College is an educational establishment, a condition of employment will be that the successful candidate must consent to the school obtaining an Enhanced Level Disclosure Check through the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS). This will reveal all spent and unspent convictions, warnings, cautions and bind-overs. A policy on the recruitment of ex-offenders is available on the school’s website.

Safeguarding is one of the primary responsibilities of this role. The jobholder is responsible for promoting and safeguarding the welfare of children and young persons for whom they are responsible, or with whom they come into contact with, and will need to adhere to and ensure compliance with the school’s Child Protection and Safeguarding Policy at all times. The postholder should be conversant with the responsibilities and procedures detailed in this policy and with the Department for Education’s Keeping Children Safe in Education. If, in the course of carrying out the duties of the post, the postholder becomes aware of any actual or potential risks to the safety or welfare of children in the school, they must report any concerns to the school’s Designated Safeguarding Lead, or in their absence, the Deputy Designated Safeguarding Leads.

References and Other Pre-employment Checks

The appointment will be dependent upon the receipt of a successful medical check and satisfactory references. The College will usually seek references from shortlisted candidates before interview and may approach previous employers for information to verify particular experience or qualifications. At least one referee must be the current or most recent employer. Where applicants are not currently working with children but have done so in the past, one referee must be the person by whom they were most recently employed when working with children.

HOW TO APPLY

Only applications completed on the school website will be accepted. Please attach a full CV with your application.

If you have any questions about this vacancy or the recruitment process, please email View email address on tes.com

Closing date for applications: Midnight, Sunday 9 August 2026

Interviews will follow shortly after.

Please note that applications will be dealt with as they arrive. Winchester College reserves the right to appoint before the deadline passes.