ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF FOOTBALL

We are seeking to appoint an ambitious, dynamic and passionate Assistant Director of Football to support the continued development of the Ackworth School Football Academy in partnership with Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) Academy England. This is an exciting opportunity to work within a forward-thinking football environment that combines elite coaching, outstanding pastoral care and an exceptional educational experience.

Ackworth School, a co-educational boarding and day school, was founded in 1779 by the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers). It maintains its ethos and traditions and is still governed by the Society. The school is academically non-selective and provides an excellent range of facilities and co-curricular opportunities, recently achieving fantastic feedback in the ISI inspection (January 2026). The Head is a member of both HMC and the Society of Heads.

As a non-selective school, we offer a broad education that supports all abilities. Our small class sizes mean that our teachers can dedicate more time to deliver a rich curriculum, allowing all pupils to make progress. Our pupils are one of Ackworth's USP's. Visitors to the school never fail to acknowledge how amazing they are and how positive the encounter is. This is something that makes a career at Ackworth such a rewarding one.

The creation of PSG Academy Ackworth has created increased demand for entry into the programme. Working alongside the Director of Football and the existing Assistant Director of Football, the successful candidate will play a key role in delivering the Ackworth School Football Academy coaching curriculum in line with both the school’s and PSG Academy England’s coaching and playing philosophies. The role will involve supporting the development of players across all age groups through high-quality coaching, performance analysis, individual development planning and matchday support.

The Assistant Director of Football will lead and support coaching sessions for academy and school teams, including the development squad, while ensuring that individual player progression remains at the heart of all activity. The successful candidate will contribute to the implementation of the academy’s “coaching working week”, helping to balance performance, player welfare, rest and recovery across the programme.

The role also includes creating individual player reports, supporting player and parent review meetings, analysing performance data within the PSG Academy England competency framework and contributing to recruitment activities both nationally and internationally. In addition, the successful candidate will work closely with the wider PE and Games departments to support football provision across the school and contribute to the continued development of coaches within the programme.

We are looking for an enthusiastic and forward-thinking individual who demonstrates strong tactical understanding, excellent communication skills and a commitment to developing young footballers within an educational environment. The successful candidate will hold a UEFA ‘B’ Licence as a minimum, with a UEFA ‘A’ Licence desirable. Experience of working within an academy or professional football environment would be advantageous.

As a relatively small school, around 430 pupils in total, we enable pupils and staff to immediately become part of our community and we hope that, if this role is something that resonates with your skills and values, you will become a key part of the Ackworth School community.

The actual salary for this role will be £30,000.00 (£37,500 FTE) based on working Monday – Friday term-time only plus 2 weeks (36 weeks per year).

In return we offer:

• a generous fee remission of 50% for the children of our staff.

• all food and refreshments during the working day.

• free on-site parking.

• flexible pension and wellbeing benefits.

• 36 working weeks

• a supportive and friendly environment based on the Quaker ethos of the school.

• a beautiful working location in an ideal location within easy travelling distance of the main centres of Sheffield, Leeds, Doncaster and York.

Completed school application forms should be submitted with a cover letter of no more than one page and should be sent by email to: jobs@ackworthschool.com

Closing Date: Friday 5 June at 9:00 a.m.

Interviews will be held w/c 8 June. We reserve the right to see candidates prior to the closing date so early application is recommended.

Applicants should read carefully the Recruitment, Selection and Disclosure Policy. Our recruitment privacy notice is also available on our website within “Working For Us”.

Ackworth School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and all applicants will undergo child protection screening, including checks with past employers and an enhanced DBS and Barred list check with Disclosure and Barring Service. Applicants should also be in sympathy with the School’s Quaker ethos.

For an informal and confidential discussion, please contact Ellie Spendlove on 01977 233600 or ellie.spendlove@ackworthschool.com