Assistant Head of Rowing

Canford School is seeking a dynamic and passionate Assistant Head of Rowing to play a key role in our ambitious and thriving rowing programme.

This is an exciting opportunity to coach, lead, and develop rowers of all abilities—from those taking their first strokes to athletes competing on the national and international stage—within a high achieving and supportive independant day & boarding school environment.

The Role

You will:

·         Work closely with the Head of Rowing and Rowing Coaches to support the overall programme

·         Coach and develop athletes across all squads in rowing and sculling

·         Lead and grow the rowing programme, driving success at major national events

·         Support the planning and delivery of training, fixtures, and regattas

·         Help manage the day-to-day running of the Boat Club, including events and operations

·         Contribute fully to the wider life of the school (including weekends and school holidays)

About You

·         An enthusiastic and knowledgeable rowing coach (Level 2 or equivalent)

·         Able to inspire pupils of all abilities and build a positive team culture

·         Organised, adaptable, and committed to both participation and performance

Why Canford?

·       At Canford, sport is about more than winning—it’s about inspiring a lifelong love of physical activity while helping every pupil achieve their potential.

·        A strong understanding of athlete development pathways and performance sport.

·        Additional qualifications (e.g. powerboat, first aid) are advantageous.

Why This Role Matters

This role is more than coaching—it’s about impact. You will help shape the experience of every pupil who walks into the boathouse. Your contribution will ensure that rowing at Canford continues to inspire, challenge, and support young people for years to come.

In Return

We offer a competitive salary and benefits package, along with the opportunity to work in a supportive, forward-thinking school community. There will be opportunities to attend regattas, training camps, and events throughout the year.

For queries, please contact Tony Diprose, Director of Sport & Physical Wellbeing: tony.diprose@canford.com 

Our vision:

Our programme must offer all of our pupils the chance to explore the opportunities that sport offers, allow them to express themselves through their physical wellbeing activities and facilitate those who wish to excel in their chosen path. The aim is to inspire a generation of Canford pupils to achieve their potential in sport and to promote their physical wellbeing throughout their lives.

 

Overall purpose

The role of the Assistant Head of Rowing (AHRow) will be to coach pupils and offer support and advice regarding rowing and any related activities. It will involve attending events both at Canford and at external venues, accompanying and supervising pupils at events, organising transport for away events and hospitality for home events.

Under the leadership of Head of Rowing (HoRow), the AHRow will oversee the logistical aspects of the rowing programme and ensure the smooth running of the boat house. 

Duties

The Assistant Head of Rowing will be responsible for:

 

·                Coaching members of Canford School Boat Club to improve their skills in Rowing and Sculling in preparation for head races and regattas.

·                Helping coordinate all training sessions for all age groups.

·                With the HoRow, leading and coordinating rowing squads and their coaches.

·                Working closely with the rowing staff to promote and develop sweep rowing and sculling technique across all squads in line with the HoRow technical model.

·                Working with the coaching team to improve the overall performance of rowing squads nationally and internationally.

·                Helping support athletes wanting to pursue rowing at an international level and progress to further education in the UK and abroad.

·                Organising the running of Sculling Club and Canford Crocodiles each week.

·                Assisting the HoRow in the day to day running of the boat house.

·                Assisting the HoRow with a broad spectrum of operational and administrative duties as may be required and pertinent to the running of the Boat Club, and all those associated with British Rowing such as Affiliation fees, British Rowing Memberships, regatta and head entries, transport and accommodation requirements , and Safeguarding.

·                Managing the annual rowing calendar on a daily basis, alongside the HoRow, including events, staffing, holiday rowing and training sessions.

·                Leading the organisation of House regatta, and to assist the Development Director in the organisation of the Annual Rowing Dinner.

·                Organising the planning and running of the annual training camp including transport, catering, and accommodation.

·                Organising Canford’s representation of boys and girls at U19 GB trials.

·                Maintaining records of training programmes, goals, progress, and testing, alongside the coaching team, Head of Athletic Development, and Head of Wellbeing.

·                Working with the HoRow to create and implement future strategy for all.

·                Coordinating with the Transport department and HoRow to organise transport for races and rowing related trips.

·                Coordinating with catering and the sports coordinator to organise food for trips away and the boathouse.

·                Organising and inputting race entries in coordination with the coaches for each squad.

·                Entering races and crews into SOCS.

·                Under direction of the Head of Rowing, help in maintaining safety equipment within the boathouse and in the launches

·                Ensure the boathouse is a safe and healthy environment

·                Assisting the HoRow in striking a balance between the provision of sport for all and the achievement of excellence for some so that all members of the CSBC have appropriate competitive opportunities and are developing.

·                Helping select sports scholars at 13+ and 16+ as appropriate.

·                Providing input and information to develop, monitor and review the performance of sports scholars and oversee the programmes of the high performing rowers within the school.

 

General

·                To support the delivery and provision of all sport at Canford and help other departments as and when necessary.

·                To contribute whole-heartedly to other aspects of school life – this will include house duties, school duties, tutoring, support for other supervision needs where possible and appropriate.

·                The successful applicant should be ready to perform other duties as deemed acceptable and appropriate by the Headmaster.

Criteria for Success

·                Actively supporting the ethos of the school, and effective integration of the rowing programme within the wider sports programme and within the whole school context.

·                Contributing to the effective and efficient development and delivery of the rowing programme to ensure appropriate opportunity, provision, participation and support for players at all levels.

·                Assisting in the effective development of coaching and evidence that high standards of teaching and learning in the Sports Department are being maintained.

·                Maintaining positive relationships with staff and pupils.

·                Enthusiasm and willingness to contribute to the life of a busy boarding school.

·                Professional appearance and manner

·                Ideally able to drive.

 

No job description can fully cover all aspects of such an appointment and consequently the responsibilities are likely to expand and evolve.

Knowledge/ Experience

•        Excellent subject knowledge

•        An ability to inspire pupils through effective teaching and coaching .

•        Enthusiasm for sport and physical activity

•        A commitment to improving pupil outcomes.

•        The ability to deliver other sports or activities is desirable.

•        Ability to communicate clearly both orally and in writing.

•        Ability to work independently or as part of a team.

•        Willingness to reflect and be adaptable.

•        Good organisation and planning skills

•        Commitment to the values and ethos of the school

•     It is anticipated that the AHRow would hold at least the Level 2 Club Coach qualification or have appropriate experience.

 

Canford School is committed to equity, diversity and inclusion in all areas of our community and encourages applications from all suitably qualified candidates.

Canford School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

All successful job applicants will be required to undergo child protection screening.