Strength and Conditioning Graduate Assistant

An exciting opportunity to engage all of our pupils in a market leading strength and conditioning programme. Alongside supporting the smooth running of the boarding and co-curricular aspects of the school, you will play an integral part in enhancing the national and international reputation of the sports programme. 

General Responsibilities & Expectations: 

• We have designed the role to give successful applicants an all-encompassing experience of independent school life. The role is likely to suit recent graduates interested in high-performance sports or pursuing a career in education, understanding that the role is fast-paced and time-consuming during school terms yet enormously rewarding. 

• The successful candidate will be closely supervised by a senior member of staff within a formal structure of professional development, training and feedback. For an exceptional candidate, there may, in due course, be the opportunity to move into formal teacher training, supported by the School, if this aligns with the staffing requirements of the School at the time. 

• Support the aims and objectives of the Mill Hill School Foundation (MHSF) 

• Comply with the Mill Hill School Foundation Health and Safety Policy 

• Promote the general progress and well-being of individual pupils and any class or group of pupils supported by you 

• Promote and safeguard the welfare of children and young persons for whom you are responsible for and with whom you come into contact with 

• Maintain good order and discipline among the pupils and safeguard their health and safety when they are on the School premises and engaged in authorised school activities elsewhere in your care 

• Lead a tutor group or be a pupil pastoral mentor 

• Complete a 5-day NPLQ course 

• To be present at key events, including Open Mornings, sports tournaments and Foundation Day

Boarding House Responsibilities and Contribution to the MHSF Boarding Community: 

Under the direction of the Housemaster/mistress (HMM), it is the responsibility of the Graduate Assistant to undertake the following tasks: 

• One evening duty per week, one in four Friday evenings and one in four weekends (Saturday and Sunday) 

• Graduate Assistants will be expected to contribute to Full Boarding and House activities as and when required 

• Be familiar with and to implement policy and procedure according to the Boarding Staff Handbook and the Boarding Handbook and all other related policies and protocols

•Promote and safeguard the welfare of children and young persons for whom you are responsible for and with whom you come into contact with 

• Support the HMM in the organisation of House social activities and boarding trips 

• Be present, visible and available in order to support the boarding community and to be a friendly and known presence to its members. • Undertake the boarding staff induction programme to prepare for this role 

• Provide cover as required in boarding as directed by the Assistant Head (Boarding)

Core Responsibilities and Expectations

Strength & Conditioning:

• To work as a key member of our multidisciplinary Performance Team supporting our Sports Scholarship Programme 

• Improve performance through developing, implementing and evaluating strength and conditioning programmes based on sound scientific principles. This will include periodisation, peaking, tapering, injury prevention, rehabilitation, load management and athlete screening/assessment 

• Promote a culture of health and wellbeing through our dual-stream approach; Fit for Life, Fit for Performance 

• To plan and undertake an agreed programme of CPD, including attendance at internal and external meetings and courses to keep abreast of world’s best practice 

• Develop a comprehensive database of strength and conditioning programming and testing 

• Provide nutritional guidelines and advice to all students 

• Assist with the delivery of early morning, lunchtime and after-school strength and conditioning sessions, ensuring the safety of all pupils during physical training 

Sports Scholarship Programme:

•Successful candidates will work alongside our existing Sports Performance Team, including Sports Therapist, UKSCA Qualified Strength & Conditioning Coach, Performance Nutritionist and Sport Psychologist 

The successful candidate will also have the unique opportunity to work with and support our impressive list of Heads of Sport in their drive towards building a nationally recognised programme: 

• Head of Athletic Development – Owen Nicholls, Former Head of S&C at a Professional Rugby Club 

• Head of Cricket - Jamie Diamond, Level 3 ECB Coach, Gloucestershire CCC U18 Womens Head Coach 

• Head of Football – Ieuan Lewis, UEFA A Licensed Coach, PGDip Elite Coach Development 

• Head of Hockey - Kwan Browne, GB Mens Hockey Coach, Southgate HC Head Coach 

• Head of Netball – Jodie Gibson, Saracens Mavericks & England Netball Player 

• Head of Performance Rugby – Chris Bajak, Saracens Academy Coach & Partnership Coordinator 

• Head of Tennis – Sarah Ward, LTA Part 2 Coach, County Tennis Player 

• Director of Golf – Dean Halford, PGA Advanced Golf Professional 

• Director of Sport and Rugby – Aaron Liffchak, Ex Professional Saracens Rugby Player 

Sport & Activities Programme:

• Support the School’s weekend sports programme across all three terms 

• Fully support the Co-Curricular life of the School, which dovetails with the candidate’s previous background 

• Hold an essential position in developing our 100+ Sports Scholars. The Performance Team guides their assigned scholars towards achieving their personal objectives, as well as organising group workshops 

• Aid the Physical Education Department in teaching the curriculum, managing practical aspects of Physical Education, including lifeguarding duties 

• Lead sports teams, leadership activities and clubs/clinics throughout the academic year 

• Support the Head of Games and Activities Coordinator in the running of the Activities programme 

• For the right candidate, there is the opportunity to expand this role to include sports marketing: 

• Developing and delivering an effective social media marketing plan that drives awareness of Mill Hill Sport

• Growing audience engagement by developing our brand, profiling key sporting events and supporting the promotion of our sporting partnerships

Developmental opportunities &/responsibilities: 

• Gain valuable experience through our Saracens Partnership, working with talented, aspiring academy players alongside Saracens pathway strength and conditioning coaches 

• Opportunities for industry-recognised training and professional development 

• Internal CPD programme run by Heads of Sport and Performance Team Staff 

• Support the organisation and delivery of the School’s Open Days 

• Be a staff presence on educational visits/ other trips organised by the School, where appropriate 

Other responsibilities: 

• Carry out the above duties and responsibilities and additional duties and responsibilities if so directed by the Head of Mill Hill School or his representative within the confines of the Mill Hill School Foundation 

• Work in or for the School from Monday to Saturday during term-time 

• Have a flexible approach to hours of duty 

Benefits of the role: 

• Salary likely to be in the region of £20,500 (Residential) & £25,500 (Non-Residential) from September to July, dependent on experience and relevant qualifications 

• On-site accommodation and bills inclusive for Residential appointments 

• Three hot meals a day (two on Sundays) 

• Extensive training and professional development 

• Opportunity to travel within a varied programme of educational visits, sports tours etc 

• Membership of our excellent Staff Common Room, which organises several social functions throughout the year 

• Opportunity to become a member of The Mill Gym and Studio, which includes the use of our sports hall; fitness suite and swimming pool 

• Access to the School’s Medical Centre 

• Free staff sports kit for those involved in leading sports teams

PERSON SPECIFICATION 

As the successful candidate, you will be able to demonstrate the following: 

• To have graduated with a good honours degree by the time the post commences in Sport Science or related areas 

• Nationally recognised (UKSCA/NSCA) coaching and/or other vocational qualifications relevant to athletic development (or the ability to achieve within six months) 

• Awareness, understanding and experience of issues relating to safeguarding the health, welfare and safety of children 

• High personal and professional standards 

• Positive working relationships with colleagues and the ability to work as a team member 

• Experience in one of the School’s core sports (Cricket, Football, Hockey, Netball, Rugby) 

• The ability to enhance the profile of Mill Hill School Sport through our social media channels 

• Excellent time management, IT and organisational skills 

• Ability to take responsibility and show initiative 

• An interest in current developments in education 

• Ability to convey infectious enthusiasm for various areas of school life 

• Ability to form and maintain appropriate relationships and personal boundaries with children and young people 

• Ability to manage practical sessions effectively and safely 

• Motivation to work with children and young people 

• Positive attitude to managing behaviour

KEY DATES APPLICATION DEADLINE: 

NOON ON WEDNESDAY, 24 APRIL 2024 

INTERVIEWS: WEEK COMMENCING MONDAY 29 APRIL 2024