performance tennis coach

Performance Tennis CoachSeptember 2021

Contents

1

From the Headmaster ……………………………….. p. 2

An introduction to Repton School……………….….. p. 3

A Family of Schools ………………………………….. p. 4

Repton Tennis………………………………………… p. 5

Performance Coach: The Role….…………..… p. 6

Key Areas of Responsibility ….………............…….. p. 7

Candidate Qualities…………………………………… p. 10

Working and Living at Repton...………………………… p. 11

Information for Candidates ..……………………….. p. 12

J O B D E S C R I P T I O N | P e r f o r m a n c e C o a c h

Repton is a wonderful and inspiring place to work: one of the UK’s foremost co-educational boarding and day schools, located in the heart of the English countryside, yet within easy reach of major cities; strengthened by a history that goes back over a thousand years, yet with a keen eye on the challenges of the twenty first century.

Sport is central to life at Repton with some pupils aspiring for sporting excellence and others simply enjoying the camaraderie of taking part with their friends. We have recently invested heavily to improve our sporting facilities and we are looking to strengthen our coaching team. In recent years we have appointed an Olympian, Scott Talbot, to oversee our Swimming programme and have former Test Wicket-Keeper, Chris Read, as our Director of Cricket.

From the Headmaster

2

Mr Mark SemmenceHeadmaster

Working under the guidance of our newly

appointed Director of Tennis, James

Rushby, the Performance Tennis Coach will

help to oversee the School's tennis

programme alongside running a community

based club, utilising an extensive range of

first-class facilities including both

outdoor and indoor courts, and a recently

opened sports centre, which houses our

S&C suite as well as a sports health and

wellbeing clinic.

We are a school with ambition and

purpose, eager to employ and reward staff

who share our values and aims. Repton is a

very attractive place to work.

I hope very much that you will read

this document with interest and I encourage

you to apply.


An Introduction to Repton School

3

Repton is the ancient capital of Mercia, and the School, founded in 1557 from a bequest

from Sir John Port of Etwall, was established on the site of a 7th century Anglo-Saxon

Benedictine abbey and latterly a 12th century Augustinian priory.

The School today incorporates many of the original buildings from the estate, namely, the

Guest Chamber and Prior’s Lodging (which as the Old Priory currently houses the School

Library and Common Room), Overton’s Tower, Tithe Barn, and the Arch. The latter is all

that now remains of the Priory’s original gatehouse and which helped inspire the School’s

motto: porta vacat culpa.

Today Repton is a world class, modern, flourishing community with a clear sense of

purpose and momentum. As a pre-eminent co-educational and boarding and day school,

Repton provides an exceptional broad-based education, blending heritage with the pursuit

of excellence in a 21st century context, offering world class facilities as well as high quality

teaching and pastoral care.

The School has a thousand pupils across the Prep and Senior School, making it large

enough to achieve excellence in and out of the classroom, yet small enough for individuals

to grow and flourish. At Repton Senior, each pupil, whether day or boarding, is a member

of a House, of which there are 10 (six for boys and four for girls).


Repton was one of the first British schools to expand overseas, with the establishment of

Repton Dubai in 2007. The development of a community of international schools being key

to Repton’s future vision. Currently, Repton has schools in Dubai (2), Abu Dhabi (2), China,

Malaysia, and Singapore with plans to open a further four more over the next few years.

The additional income generated by our overseas schools provides financial support, that

will enable Repton to select pupils simply on merit and without regard to their parents’

financial means. The Headmaster and Senior Management Team play a key role in helping

to shape the development of Repton as a leading, global educational brand.

Repton also currently has three schools in the UK (Repton, Repton Prep and St Wystan’s)

with the ambition to grow its UK family of schools.

A Global Family of Schools

4


Repton Tennis

5

Repton School runs an extensive tennis programme,

seeking to inspire a genuine enjoyment of the game and

the capacity to improve and develop in players of all

levels of ability, from those who choose it as a games

option in the Summer Term to those who have ambitions

within the sport.

Repton's tennis heritage is a proud one, from a

Wimbledon champion in H.F.Lawford (1897) and a finalist

in Bunny Austin, to a long list of county and national

standard players. Repton has won the maximize Boys'

National Schools Championship eleven times, the

Independent Schools' Championship fifteen times and the

Girls' National Schools Championship on four occasions.

This tradition has produced a very strong Old Reptonian

team, one which is currently the holder of the d'Abernon

Cup, the national schools alumni competition, and which

in the past six years has won the trophy four times and

been finalists on the other two occasions.

Tennis at Repton is a supportive and challenging

programme of intensity and commitment but one which is

aware of the demands on its pupils in their daily

academic lives. Those for whom tennis is the dominant

sport will be allocated to one of three squads to train

across the Michaelmas and Lent Terms on the twelve

outdoor courts and in the indoor facility. The Elite Squad

trains on a daily basis, as befits players who have

international rankings and travel on the ITF and TE

circuits; the Performance Squad develops players who

have the potential to attain county, regional or national

standard; and the Development Squad offers an

opportunity for players of all ages and abilities who wish

to train over the winter.

In the Summer Term, the Elite and Performance Squads

retain their intensive programmes as the emphasis shifts

to fixtures and national competitions. The chance to play

for the School is important, as is the opportunity to win

national competitions, but for some, the scholarship

pathway to American colleges, overseen by specialist

agencies who are in partnership with the School,

represents a potentially life-changing progression.


We are looking to recruit a suitably qualified, enthusiastic and energetic Performance Coach

who is able to provide and support the delivery of Performance and Community Tennis. S/he

will provide exceptional coaching and have the commitment and management skills to deliver

the aims for Repton Tennis within a clear timeframe.

Repton has a long standing history of success in tennis, and with the development of Repton

Rackets Club, this is an exceptional opportunity for the right candidate. Based at Repton

School and Repton Preparatory School, Repton Tennis encompasses both pupils at the

schools and community members, who now under the guidance of Director of Tennis, James

Rushby, create the club known as Repton Rackets Club.

The Commercial Opportunity

Repton Enterprises Ltd is responsible for maximising the commercial assets, skills and

intellectual property of both Repton and Repton Prep. Our aim is to provide a sustainable

source of non-fee income, whilst promoting the outstanding facilities and expert coaching

available at both schools.

Working closely with the Chief Development & Commercial Officer, The Repton Rackets Club

Executive Committee and the wider Enterprise Team, the Performance Coach will play a key

role in developing the broader Tennis offering encompassing:

• Mini-Tennis programmes

• High quality performance coaching for school pupils

• Residential tennis camps

• Community tennis club coaching

The Role

6


Accountability

• Support the desired tone and ethos of the Repton Tennis Programme

• Lead, inspire and motivate tennis players of all ages and abilities to maximise their

engagement with the tennis programme in order to realise the School’s vision for the

Repton Tennis Programme, working across the school and club programme in its entirety

• Be responsible for the design and delivery of a first-class tennis programme

• Working closely with the Sports Departments across both schools and the Executive team

actively promote the Schools’ behavioural values and expectations amongst tennis squad

members and the coaching team

• To lead the coaching of one or more squads as allocated by The Director of Tennis and

Tennis Club Executive, in addition to supporting the delivery with other squads and

groups across the age ranges as appropriate

Managerial

• Plan, oversee and ensure the execution of the delegated aspects of the Repton Tennis

Programme to include training, competitions, staffing, tennis development and attendance

records

• Maintain positive working relationships with all external stakeholders

• Work with the Sports Centre Manager & Director of Tennis to co-ordinate facility use

between the Repton Tennis Programme and the community and commercial programme

• Meet with the Sports Department & Rackets Club Executive on a weekly basis to report

on progress and performance

• Working with the Sports Department, ensure that all tennis players are able to engage

with the fullest possible range of extra-curricular opportunities at Repton

• Support the ordering of kit and management of statistical records as required

Key Areas of Responsibility

7


Coaching

• Establish, monitor and maintain coaching best-practice for all tennis players and individual

performance athletes you work with

• Ensure the Repton Tennis Programme operates at the leading edge of training

development and theory, ensuring an excellence in coaching and training, as well as

being able to utilise the full range of methodologies, including digital video analysis

• Ensure tennis players are properly supported with regards to goalsetting, strength and

conditioning training, sports psychology, sport massage and sport nutrition

• To ensure the highest quality delivery is offered to Repton’s tennis players at all times

through thorough planning, evaluation and support

• Work with the coaching team and club Executive Committee to demonstrate the highest

standard of external facing values for Repton Tennis at events and competitions

• Be the lead coach within a specific squad or age group tennis sessions, working closely

with other members of the coaching team to provide the best coaching provision at all

times

• Be responsible for identifying talented tennis players within the Repton Rackets Club Mini-

Tennis programme, and transitioning them into the club squads as appropriate

• Support in the delivery of tennis within Physical Education lessons for all year groups as/if

required across Repton School and Repton Prep

• Contribute to the coaching provision at all appropriate competitions throughout the season

• Support in the delivery of the Strength & Conditioning programme

• Lead by example in timekeeping, smartness and managing expectations

Events

• Ensure appropriate planning for, attendance at, and participation in, all events and

competitions.

• Ensure all safeguarding and logistical requirements are met, while adhering to all relevant

Repton and Repton Prep policies and other statutory requirements

• Support other events organised by the Sports Dept., to include tournaments

8


Academic and Pastoral Welfare

• Have due regard for the wellbeing of all tennis players, from both a pastoral and

academic perspective by working closely with the Executive and other relevant pastoral /

academic staff in relation to Repton pupils

• Assist with the day-to-day wellbeing of tennis players within the programme

Communication and Marketing

• Ensure regular, detailed and efficient communication with tennis parents, responding

effectively and in a timely manner to parental concerns, working closely with the Director

of Tennis, Deputy Heads and Rackets Club Executive when required

• Help establish and maintain a local, national and international profile for Repton Tennis

Repton Enterprises Ltd

• Working with the Chief Development & Commercial Officer, Director of Tennis and the

Enterprise Team assist where needed in the development and delivery of a broader

tennis offering to include Mini-Tennis, community programmes and residential tennis

camps aimed at generating commercial revenue for Repton Enterprises

Other

• Attend relevant staff gatherings/meetings. This includes, but is not limited to,

Headmaster’s Notices at Break, Repton Rackets Club meetings, weekly staff meetings

and meetings to consider the welfare and progress of pupils

• The post is full-time and the Performance Tennis Coach will be required to work flexible

hours according to the needs of the tennis programme and of Repton Enterprises

• As part of the school community, the successful applicant must take general responsibility

for promoting and safeguarding the welfare of children and young people, and must be a

positive and helpful member of the school staff

• Work with the Marketing and Enterprise Teams to arrange and promote the various tennis

camps and tournaments

9


1 0

Candidate Qualities – Personal and Professional

• LTA Level 3 (or above) Accredited+ Licensed Coach

• Proven track record of producing and developing County & Regional tennis players

• Experience of Performance level coaching

• Experience of working in a commercial tennis club would be advantageous but not

essential

• A strong history of playing tennis to a suitable level required for the position

• Knowledge of current coaching methodology

• Understanding of effective pastoral care

• Knowledge and understanding of Independent school sport provision advantageous

but not essential

• Knowledge and awareness of current LTA initiatives and programmes


1 1

Working and living at Repton

The School is committed to employing and

rewarding staff who share its ambition, its

aims and its values. This will be reflected in

a highly attractive remuneration package as

well as the investments in both staff and

facilities.

Benefits include

• Competitive salary

• Additional coaching income via Repton

Enterprises

• Sports Centre Membership

• Generous annual leave

In its buildings and grounds, Repton

combines the old and the new. The heart of

the School is a beautiful 12th century

Augustinian Priory, but following a major

period of investment, the School has

outstanding new and refurbished facilities in

most teaching areas, most notably in the

Science Priory, the School Theatre and a

new Mathematics and PE Block.

Many of the sports facilities are either new,

or recently refurbished and include:

• 12 outdoor courts

• 4 outdoor courts at Repton Prep

• 2 indoor courts

• Strength and conditioning performance

gym

• Fitness suite

• 25m 6 lane pool

• 25m 6 lane pool at Repton Prep

• 2 sports halls

• Team room for video analysis and team

briefings

Living in Repton

Repton itself is a thriving village with a

fascinating past. Situated in the Trent

valley between Derby and Burton on

Trent, on one side of the village is the Old

Trent, the remnants of the former course

of the river, and on the other, there is

attractive rolling farmland. The village has

a vibrant community with clubs, societies,

shops, pubs and other attractive

amenities.

It is close to the cities of Derby and

Nottingham and major transport routes,

and much of the wonderful Peak District

National Park lies within Derbyshire itself.


1 2

Information for Candidates

In accordance with the Children Act any

appointment to the Repton staff is conditional on

criminal records clearance and the successful

candidate will be required to supply the

necessary information and documentary

evidence. References will be obtained on all

candidates called for interview and applicants

should be aware that the interview will contain

questions relating to the candidates’ suitability to

working in a post involving children.

The School is committed to safeguarding and

promoting the welfare of children and young

people and expects all staff and volunteers to

share this commitment. Therefore the following

shall be deemed to be included, in addition to the

duties that you may be required to perform:

Promoting and safeguarding the welfare of

children and young persons for whom you

are responsible and with whom you come

into contact.

Under the Sexual Offences Act 2003 it is a

criminal offence for a person over 18 (e.g.

teacher, matron, sports coach) to have a sexual

relationship with a child under 18 where that

person is in a position of trust in respect of that

child, even if the relationship is consensual. This

applies where the child is in full-time education

and the person works in the same establishment

as the child, even if s/he does not teach the

child. Moreover, whatever the age of the pupil, a

sexual relationship between an employee and a

pupil will be considered an abuse of a position of

trust and gross misconduct, likely to result in

dismissal.

Candidates should apply to Cerys Butts ([email protected]) with a covering letter and a fully

completed Repton School application form, which includes the names and addresses of two

professional referees, by 5 pm on Friday 22 October

Applicants will be contacted for interview if they have been successful in the short-list process.

Interviews will take place the week commencing Monday 1 November


mailto:[email protected]

Repton School. The Hall. Repton. DE65 6FH.

@Reptonschool

www.repton.org.uk

performance tennis coach

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