Description
THE SCHOOL
Ipswich School has been listed as one of the top 100 schools in the country and is certainly one of the foremost independent schools in East Anglia.
We were established prior to 1399, although we moved to our present site in 1852. We have circa 1000 pupils aged between 3 months and 19 years and we are fully co-educational. The most recent Inspection of the Senior School (November 2025) rated us as Excellent in all categories, a judgement of which we are very proud. The School operates a 5 day week, with representative sports played during the week and on Saturdays.
Our Sports programme, under the leadership of our new Director of Sport, has entered an exciting new, professional phase and we are proud of our recent national successes as well as our participation rates in all four of our focus sports.
Find out more about us by visiting our website: https://www.ipswich.school/sport.
THE POST
This is an outstanding opportunity for a cricket professional who possesses proven experience of planning and delivering coaching sessions at a high level, and/or experience of playing at a national level. The level of cricket at Ipswich School in recent years has been nothing short of phenomenal. Our girls have won 5 national titles in the past 4 years, including U18 T20 and U18 Hundred, and our U53 girls are current National indoor champions. We have a tremendous pipeline of talent coming through and will remain nationally competitive for the foreseeable future – a truly exciting prospect for any coach!
You will be equipped to implement a vision for the game in an Independent School with exceptional facilities, and a national reputation for success and development.
RESPONSIBLE TO
You will be responsible to the Head of Cricket and Director of Sport.
MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
We are dedicated to delivering the highest quality sporting programme, and you will need to demonstrate an ability to:
- Develop the cricket programme in line with our desire to provide ‘Sport for All’, whilst catering for the elite players who aim for national representation.
- Plan and deliver cricket coaching sessions with passion at a high level to enable all players to succeed.
- Achieve success, which will be measured through results at a national level, and participation numbers and enjoyment at all age groups.
- Assist in managing, inspiring and working collaboratively with coaching staff.
The key tasks and responsibilities for this role will include:
Coaching and Pupil matters
- Coaching teams across the cricket programme as specified by the Head of Cricket.
- Being an inventive and driven coach who encourages skill acquisition training and a growth mindset.
- Advising the Head of Cricket about potential sports scholars and actively searching out potential candidates in line with the School’s Scholarship and Scouting programme.
- Ensuring that the highest standards of sportsmanship, conduct and appearance are upheld by all pupils and parents on and off the court.
- Working in the Aspiring Athlete Programme for cricket players and assisting in the management of their extra hours and workload.
- Supporting the delivery of other sports programmes as required
Health, Safety and Welfare
- Continually ensuring the highest standards of Health, Safety and Welfare.
- Ensuring that the wellbeing and safeguarding of players is the highest priority e.g. ensuring mismatches are avoided.
- Liaising with medical staff and the Director of Sport in order to ensure that all staff and players abide by the concussion protocols.
Staffing Matters
- Working with the Director of Sport, Head of Cricket, Head and Director of Human Resources to ensure that appropriately qualified sports coaches are recruited and retained.
Fixtures and Matches
- Driving pupils to/from fixtures in the School’s minibus (subject to holding an appropriate D1 licence).
- Lead on and assist with midweek and weekend cricket fixtures and training sessions as specified by the Head of Cricket.
- Assist in ensuring that umpires are provided for matches, with appropriate training and experience or support.
- Assist in ensuring that all details on the school website regarding cricket are kept up to date and accurate.
- Ensuring that all results and significant achievements of teams or individuals are reported to the Head, Head of Cricket and Director of Sport.
- Assist in managing School data systems for cricket training and matches.
General
- Being dedicated to the role, which will require after school/weekend commitments and flexibility.
- Being resilient, solution-focused, and committed to transforming pupil outcomes.
- Ensuring that equipment is looked after, replaced when needed and stored appropriately at all times.
- Being a key link to local cricket clubs and the development of coaching and playing opportunities for both staff and students.
This list is not exhaustive, and duties may be changed or added to as determined from time to time.
SALARY AND BENEFITS
- This is a permanent position, subject to the successful completion of a 3-month probationary period. This role will be classified as a Support Staff position in the School.
- You must have the right to live and work in the UK in a Sports Coaching role to take up employment in this post. We are not able to provide visa sponsorship.
- The salary for this post will be competitive and will be based on your coaching/playing background/experience and the working hours agreed.
- Working hours/patterns will be discussed with shortlisted candidates at the interview. Please note you are always expected to work your normal hours on the two days prior to the start of the Michaelmas (Autumn) term each year, and on the INSET day (currently in February each year). These days are staff INSET days for training and development activities, and they are included in the definition of Ipswich School term time.
- Annual leave may only be taken during Ipswich School holiday periods and outside of any preseason and/or cup training requirements.
- Free lunch is provided in the Dining Hall during term time when the kitchen is in operation.
- Staff are able to use the School’s swimming pool and fitness gym free of charge (in compliance with appropriate rules and regulations).
- Support staff with 3+ years’ contracted service are eligible for fee remission based on their contracted working hours.
- In line with workplace pension legislation, you will be entitled to join a defined contribution pension scheme after 3 months’ service, and you will receive 3x death in service life cover.
- You will have access to Smarthealth, the School’s wellbeing app for staff which offers 24/7 GP access and mental health support. We also offer a Cycle to Work Scheme
CLOSING DATE AND INTERVIEW ARRANGEMENTS
We would encourage you to download an application form and a full job description for this role from our website: www.ipswich.school/vacancies or contact the HR team on 01473 408300 or [email protected]
Please advise us of any special requirements you may have if you are called for an interview. If your special requirements mean that you need to submit this application in a different format, please contact us.
Completed application forms should be returned by noon on Friday 25th September to: the Director of Human Resources, Ipswich School, 25 Henley Road, Ipswich, IP1 3SG or email [email protected].
We reserve the right to interview and appoint a successful candidate before this date if we receive a strong applicant or applicants.
Candidates shortlisted for interview will be advised after the closing date, and interviews will be arranged as soon as possible thereafter. If we have not been in touch with you by the middle of November, then we regret that your application will have been unsuccessful, but we would like to thank you for your interest.
PLEASE NOTE
- Ipswich School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff to share this commitment. Applicants must be willing to undergo child protection screening, including checks with past employers and the Disclosure and Barring Service. Having a criminal record will not necessarily be a bar to obtaining the position. The Ipswich School policy on the recruitment of ex-offenders and the Code of Practice relating to the Disclosure and Barring Service are available on request.
- Ipswich School’s employees are responsible for promoting and safeguarding the welfare of children and young people they are responsible for, or come into contact with. The post holder must adhere to and ensure compliance with the School’s Child Protection and Safeguarding Children Policy at all times. If, in the course of carrying out their duties, the post holder becomes aware of any actual or potential risks to the safety or welfare of children in the School their must report any concerns to the School’s Designated Safeguarding Lead (the Deputy Head Pastoral for Senior School pupils, the Prep Head for Prep pupils and the Nursery Manager for The Lodge Day Nursery).
- Ipswich School’s employees are expected to attend training in safeguarding children as directed.
- Applicants are advised that in the interests of the health and safety of all its pupils and employees, Ipswich School operates a No Smoking Policy and employees are expected to comply with the statutory restriction on smoking in public places.