Closing date: 15th January 2016

Contract Type: 35 hours per week
Contract Term: Fixed Term for two years

George Watson's are seeking an enthusiastic and self-motivated individual to fill the new role of Cricket Development Officer, working with George Watson’s College and The Watsonian Cricket Club.

The School

George Watson's College is renowned as a large, inclusive and vibrant co-educational school offering all-through education for children from 3-18. Despite its size, everyone remarks that it has a small-school 'feel': the close-knit and friendly relationships amongst all its constituents are a hallmark of the School. Its motto – Ex Corde Caritas (Love from the Heart) – is central to its values as it seeks to sustain what is described as 'The Watson's Family'.

This tangible sense of togetherness is significantly enhanced by everyone being on one purpose-built site, which is located in the attractive residential district of Morningside, to the South West of the centre of Edinburgh. Edinburgh itself is the second strongest city economy in the UK, outside of London, with the highest percentage of graduates and professionally qualified adults in the UK and over 25% of school age children attending fee-paying schools. Watson's is proud of its independent status and, whilst remaining true to its Scottish roots, seeks to sustain and develop an international perspective. The curriculum is adapting to the innovations inherent in Scotland's new Curriculum for Excellence and the new Scottish National Qualifications. In addition, the School offers its older pupils the opportunity to take the International Baccalaureate Diploma programme. Watson's is the only school to offer this alternative alongside Scottish qualifications.

The School welcomes a wide range of academic ability, and has very high academic standards, with 90% of pupils going on to Higher Education and a large proportion of pupils achieving outstanding success. Watson's also has excellent facilities, and offers a huge range of courses as well as extra-curricular activities. In addition, it has particular strengths in Sport, Music, Drama, Outdoor Education, Technology and in Support for Learning. The School is very well resourced with a campus-wide IT network.

The current Principal, Mr Melvyn Roffe took up his post in August 2014. He is a member of the Headmasters' and Headmistresses' Conference (HMC).

The Junior School

The Junior School at George Watson’s College is made up of two adjacent buildings to accommodate Nursery, Lower and Upper Primary children.

Our purpose built Lower Primary is designed to meet the needs of our early years learners from Nursery to Primary 3. Our facilities include an all purpose hall, library, music rooms as well as play, art and craft areas.

Our Primary 4 to Primary 7 children are taught in our Upper Primary building. Our children also enjoy the facilities of the whole school, which includes the Centre for Sport, Art and Music schools.  Specialist subject teaching is delivered in French, Spanish, Art, Music, Drama and P.E.

We have a very effective SfL team of experienced teachers, lead by a Head of Department, supporting our learners across the Junior School.

All classes in the Junior School are of mixed ability. Maths in Primary 4 to Primary 7 is taught in sets.

The School also benefits from an established Wraparound Care facility to support children through the Breakfast Club, After School Club and Holiday Care.

Our curriculum ensures that all our pupils have an entitlement to a broad and rich general education ensuring that the needs of pupils are met. Our School Charter echoes the Values, Principles and Proposals of Curriculum for Excellence.

The school believes in educating the whole child and considerable emphasis is put on extra-curricular activities. There is a wide range of clubs available to Upper Primary children, either at lunch times or after school, and a separate booklet detailing these is available. All staff members are expected to participate in the organising and staffing of these activities.

The Senior School

Approximately two-thirds of pupils in the Senior School have progressed there from the Junior School. On arrival, they have a carefully worked out induction programme which includes a residential experience together in the first term.

In First and Second Year, a diverse and stimulating timetable balances challenging academic progression with a variety of learning experiences. Pupils study many of their subjects in their form classes but are set in English and Mathematics. This enables them to progress at a pace that provides the appropriate level of challenge and provides them with an opportunity to mix with the rest of their year group.

From Second Year, pupils discuss their personal targets and study options with teachers, through to their key certificate examinations, and we ensure that they choose subjects and levels that match their abilities and aspirations.

At Watson's we are proud of the exceptionally broad range of certificate courses we offer. Available at various levels of certification within the national qualifications framework, our extensive provision includes subjects across the spectrum of arts, sciences and social sciences, with a notably wide selection of languages, including Mandarin Chinese.

It is important that we prepare pupils for the increased independence they will require after school. A programme of study skills encourages independent thought and enquiry. Throughout their time at Watson's, pupils make confident use of our outstanding IT facilities and our Library.
The Role

The role of the Cricket Development Officer is to provide coaching support to cricketers within George Watson's College and The Watsonian Cricket Club, assist in recruitment of new members into the Cricket Club and to encourage participation of boys and girls in both school and club cricket.  As part of this you will have a key role in liaising with coaches, Cricket Scotland and volunteers.

Applications are invited from cricket coaches who have made a decision to pursue a career in coaching and, as such, have already completed a recognised coaching qualification such as UKCC Level 2 or equivalent and have taken a step into coaching, be it in paid or through a voluntary position. This post may also be suitable for a Physical Education teacher with specific expertise in cricket.

Candidates must be knowledgeable in performance coaching techniques and able to deliver performance coaching to both school pupils and club players, ideally having prior experience of delivering success at top club level.  Additionally, the successful candidate will be capable of working as part of a team as well as working independently, have excellent written and verbal communication skills, developed planning and organisation skills and prior man management or supervisory experience.

The starting salary for this post is £18,000 - £22,000 dependent on skills, experience and qualification.  Hours of work are flexible and will entail some weekend working, working 35 hours a week from 7am – 9pm in order to fully meet the needs of training and scheduled events.  Benefits include school fees discount, contributory pension scheme and 35 days annual leave.
Job Description (PDF, 165KB)

Application Process

A letter of application, addressed to Mrs Heather Wilson, Head of Senior School together with a completed Application Form and optional Diversity Monitoring Form must reach Charleen Leneghan, PA to the Head of Senior School, by email (c.leneghan@gwc.org.uk) no later than 12 noon, Friday 15 January 2015.

Additional forms are available here