LLANDAFF CARDIFF

Candidate Information Pack

School Sports Coach: with a specialism in Rugby or Hockey (2 positions available)

Part time, term time plus pre-season. Required from August 2026 to July 2027 in the first instance

Thank you for your interest in the role of Sports Coach at The Cathedral School, Llandaff

You will be joining us at an exciting time, following the school being named third in the UK independent school rankings for A Levels in 2023 (The Telegraph) and the Sunday Times Welsh Independent School of the Year for two years’ running; 2024 and 2025.

Alongside this, in the school’s most recent Estyn inspection it was judged to be excellent in all five categories. Pupils were described as “confident, ambitious, aspirational and wellinformed learners” and the report celebrated the “outstanding subject knowledge” and “passion and enthusiasm” of the teaching staff.

It highlighted teachers’ committed contribution to “exceptional levels of support within and beyond the classroom to help pupils to develop self-confidence”.

The school not only prides itself on its musical, academic, sporting and artistic achievements, but also on its ability to challenge and motivate all of its students. We want children to take risks in the classroom, not to be afraid of getting it wrong, but rather to be confident enough to ask questions and think for themselves.

All children have talents and gifts, both in and out of the classroom, and we are always looking to identify and celebrate these at every opportunity.

I look forward to hearing from you and considering your application.

Head Clare Sherwood

The School

“A dynamically run school that parents pick for its solid academics and family feel. Music and sport are particularly impressive for a small school. The students work hard, make friends for life, and clearly adore the place.” The Good Schools Guide, 2023.

The Cathedral School, Llandaff

The Cathedral School is the leading independent school in Cardiff, Wales. It educates approx. 800 students, boys and girls, aged from 3 – 18.

First class academic teaching, excellent facilities and an extensive co-curricular programme, underpinned by high quality pastoral care and the school’s Christian ethos, give Cathedral School pupils the opportunity to reach their full potential, both academically and personally, in a vibrant and supportive environment.

The History of CSL

The school is located on an attractive campus adjacent to the ancient Llandaff Cathedral. It was founded in 1880 as a choir school to provide choristers to the Cathedral, and this tradition continues today.

The school moved to its present campus in 1958, then numbering 190 boys and being a preparatory school. It became co-educational in 1978, and expanded very successfully to GCSE in 2007, achieving amongst the best GCSE results in Wales every year since.

The Sixth Form began in September 2013 and has grown and developed each year; with outstanding results and students progressing to a wide range of university courses.

There are no boarders; all students come from the locality, most from within a 20-mile radius. Standards, academic and behavioural, are very high. All students are expected to give and to be the best they can.

Physical Education and Games at The Cathedral School

Sport has a high profile within The Cathedral School and is extremely well supported by the Head. The main sports are rugby for boys and hockey for girls in the Michaelmas term. Football is the major activity for the boys in the Lent term and netball for the girls. In the Summer term the boys and girls both play cricket and participate in tennis. Both girls and boys compete against other schools. Athletics is also taught to both girls and boys. A wide range of other activities are also available, including cross-country, basketball, dry slope skiing, swimming, squash, rowing, climbing, girls’ football, yoga and judo.

The department consists of three specialist staff, with additional requirements for Games lessons met by highly competent teachers from other departments. The department is led by the Director of Sport and assisted by the Assistant Director of Sport.

The School has an excellent sports hall which contains cricket nets, four badminton courts and a netball court as well as markings for other sports and activities usually played indoors. We have a new all-weather multi-use court allowing for netball, tennis, football and other sports outside. We have extensive grass pitches, four cricket lanes and a pavilion on the Bishop’s Field, comprising four RFU changing rooms, staff changing and a multi-purpose function room/classroom.

In January 2019 our Athletic Development and Wellbeing Centre opened to give our pupils and students the best support in their sporting and PE provision, and we have a dedicated Athletic Development Co-ordinator. The Centre is available for use before and after school as well as focused sessions for our senior squads.

Pupils are timetabled on specific afternoons, participating in a 1½ hour Games session, which is used as a coaching session or for playing fixtures against other schools. Fixtures are also played on most Saturdays, and the successful candidate should be available for these commitments. Pupils who are not current members of school teams are given the option to participate in a variety of alternative sporting activities during these sessions.

The school enjoys an enviable reputation for the quality and breadth of its sports provision and the post holders will be expected to continue to raise the profile of sporting activities, arrange and accompany matches, and encourage high standards with a sense of enjoyment.

The Role

We are seeking to appoint two talented and inspirational Sports Coaches with a specialism in rugby or hockey (with cricket as a desirable extra), on a fixed term basis for pre-season training and one academic school year (in the first instance) from August 2026 until July 2027 initially.

The roles will include coaching the Senior section during pre-season training, and then coaching term time Games lessons for approx. 16 to 24 hours per week, Monday to Friday (term time only), together with supporting PE lessons in the Senior and Primary sections as required. There will also be regular Saturday fixtures, for which the post holders must be available, and for which additional payments will be received (please see further details below). There may also be scope for additional hours due to other school activities and to be part of the school’s touring programme.

These roles provide an opportunity to help shape the principles of play throughout the school, and we are looking for those with the ambition to do so. There will be support on Games afternoons from our full and part time staff along with members of the common room. Support is provided in strength and conditioning in our gym by the school’s Athletic Development Co-ordinator, and there is analysis support as part of our intern work with Cardiff Metropolitan University.

Each post would suit a proficient sports player, who is looking for the opportunity to coach rugby and/or hockey to keen and motivated pupils, as part of a varied and successful Games programme, at Cardiff’s leading independent school.

It will suit those who enjoy coaching and working with children and are able to establish warm, professional and mutually respectful relationships with them, and who can be effective members of a highly committed team of staff. These are rewarding roles, which offer excellent experience towards future career development.

The pupils at the school are great fun and standards of behaviour are high. Should you choose to apply we look forward to meeting you, showing you what we do and hearing what you can offer.

If you would like any additional information about the role, please contact Jamie Corsi, Director of Sport, via CorsiJM@cathedral-school.co.uk.

Job Description

Key Duties

Sports Coaches are line managed by the Director of Sport and Assistant Director of Sport, and the post holder will be expected to:

Coach rugby or hockey across age groups in the first instance, being involved with decision making and policy formation as required, and assume responsibility for particular aspects of Games and PE activities within the Senior and Primary sections as required, in order that the department continues to flourish and progress in line with the rest of the school.

The successful candidates will also contribute to the other main school sports; netball or football during Lent Term in addition to cricket during the Summer Term.

Be fully committed to co-curricular activities. This will involve pre-season training, a number of lunch time and after school sessions, and Saturday fixtures, which take place on the majority of Saturdays during the academic year. There is also the opportunity to be part of the school’s touring programme during holiday periods.

Deliver all lessons in a dynamic and enthusiastic fashion, clearly outlining the aims and objectives.

Be a full and active member of the Sports Faculty, assuming responsibilities as deemed appropriate by the Director of Sport or Assistant Director of Sport.

Take full part in the school’s quality assurance programme, observing sessions and being observed, and actively engage in responding positively to feedback.

Be familiar with current coaching ideas, rules and regulations, so that nonspecialist staff who assist with games can benefit from this expertise.

Liaise appropriately with outside agencies and facilities in order to deliver a broad and balanced programme to maximise the potential of each and every child in their care.

Look professional and act in a professional manner at all times (CSL games kit will be provided).

Demonstrate initiative and be a positive role model to pupils.

Be aware of and implement the schools’ Reward and Discipline Policy.

Possess a full, clean driving licence with a willingness to drive the school minibus (if aged over 21).

Whole School Responsibilities

All school staff are expected to:

Support and contribute to the school’s responsibility for safeguarding students; sharing any level of concerns with the Deputy Head: Wellbeing and school pastoral team.

Work towards and support the school vision, ethos and the current objectives outlined in the School Development Plan.

Comply with policies and procedures of the school, including those referred to in the Staff Handbook.

Work within the school’s Health and Safety Policy to ensure a safe working environment for staff, pupils and visitors.

Work within the school’s Equal Opportunities Policy to promote equality of opportunity for all pupils and staff, both current and prospective.

Maintain high professional standards of attendance, punctuality, appearance, conduct and positive, courteous relations with pupils, parents and colleagues.

Be self-reflective and committed to their own continued professional development, participating in training and keeping up to date with current procedures and practices.

Engage actively in the appraisal process.

Contribute to and support the wider life of the school, eg. attending open days (including one Saturday in late September / early October), supporting pupil discovery days (liaising with subject leaders to run workshop sessions), and attending other functions and events.

Undertake such other reasonable duties related to the job purpose as required from time to time.

The Job Description is not exhaustive and is subject to regular review. All staff are expected to make a meaningful and significant contribution to the cocurricular life of the school, and to be in full sympathy with the Christian ethos of this Woodard School, an ethos which pervades all strands of school life.

Person Specification

Essential skills and qualifications

Minimum of 5 GCSEs at Grade A*-C

Minimum of a Level 1 qualification in one of our major sports (rugby/hockey/football/netball/cricket)

A current or previous exponent of at least one sport to a high standard

1 year minimum experience of working with children, with a record of excellence

Good organisational skills

Good IT skills, including experience of Word and Excel

Good written and oral communication skills with the ability to be proactive in liaison with staff

Good standard of numeracy

Excellent behaviour management skills

Ability to work independently

A team player.

Desirable skills and qualifications

Safeguarding and Child Protection

Relevant undergraduate or postgraduate qualifications

Level 1 qualification in more than one of our major sports

Level 2 in at least one of our major sports

Understanding of the relationship with parents in a fee-paying school context

Trained First Aider

Hold full UK driving licence, preferably with a D1.

Personal characteristics

Show a clear understanding of, and sympathy with, the Christian faith

A passion for sport and its importance in improving the wellbeing of all pupils

A strong commitment to achieving high standards

Ability to relate to and support students of all abilities

Ability to support and motivate others

Self-motivated with the ability work on own initiative

Flexible with a positive ‘can-do’ attitude

Enthusiastic, energetic and supportive team member, building excellent working relationships with colleagues

Able to see tasks through to completion, and within set timeframes

Have good rapport with adults and children, nurturing positive relationships at all levels

Have a strong commitment to working with parents/carers

Diplomatic and trustworthy;

A sense of humour!

The Cathedral School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and expects all employees to share this commitment. Applicants for this post must be willing to undergo child protection screening, including reference checks with any previous employer, as considered appropriate, and a criminal record check via the Disclosure & Barring Service. They will be expected to uphold the school’s Safeguarding Policy (copy on school website) at all times.

Salary, Holidays and Staff Benefits

The rate of pay is currently £15.15 per hour (pay award pending), payable against authorised timesheets submitted. The roles are fixed term, commencing in August 2026 for pre-season training sessions (dates pending) and then during term time for approx. 16-24 hours per week, Monday to Friday, until July 2027 in the first instance. Saturday availability for fixtures is an essential part of the role and for weekend fixtures coaches receive additional co-curricular payments; currently £50 per half day or £85 per full day.

The hours of work during term time are expected to be:

Role 1 - Sports Coach (Rugby specialism) - c.20 hours per week: Mondays to Fridays 12.30pm until 4.30pm.

Role 2 - Sports Coach (Hockey specialism) - c.20 hours per week: Mondays to Fridays 12.30pm until 4.30pm.

In both cases, there may also be scope for additional hours due to other school activities, including supporting PE lessons in the Senior and Primary sections as required.

Other benefits include:

4 weeks’ paid holiday (pro rata), to be taken during the school holidays, plus any Bank/Public Holidays.

School-branded sportswear is provided.

All staff are provided with lunch daily, free of charge.

Staff are enrolled into an ‘auto-enrolment’ pension scheme if eligible, and may still be entitled to join if not automatically enrolled. Further details can be provided on request.

The Staff Wellbeing Committee helps to support staff welfare, and all staff have access to a gym, and weekly yoga and pilates sessions.

The professional development of staff is a high priority, and there is a supportive appraisal process.

School holidays are significantly more generous than the state sector and, whilst the school day is slightly longer, the enthusiasm for learning throughout the school is palpable.

Permanent staff wishing to have their children educated at the school (subject to places being available and the child/ren satisfying the normal entry criteria) receive a considerable remission on the fees.

The Cathedral School community seeks to be a welcoming and inclusive one, and the school is an exciting, challenging and rewarding place to work.

Application Procedure

Please download and complete the application form and email it, together with a covering letter of no more than two sides of A4, to Mrs Clare Sherwood, Head, via workforus@cathedral-school.co.uk. If you have a preference for one particular role, please state this in your covering letter.

Please apply as soon as possible as we will operate a rolling deadline and suitable candidates may be interviewed 24 hours after application is received. The final deadline for applications is Thursday, 18th June 2026 at 9.00am. Interviews will take place the week commencing 22nd June 2026 (if not earlier), to include a short coaching session.

We are committed to a policy of equality. It is recognised and welcomed that teaching and support staff will come to the school with a variety of faiths, beliefs and backgrounds. We aim to ensure that no job applicant, member of staff, student or other member of the school community is treated less favourably on grounds of race (including colour, nationality, ethnic or national origin), religion or religious belief, sex or sexual orientation, gender or gender identity, marital or civil partner status, disability or age.

Further information about the school, including details of our Equal Opportunities Policy and Safer Recruitment Policy, are available at www.cathedral-school.co.uk.

Our Aims & Ethos

The Cathedral School is a member of the Woodard family of schools and is the only Anglican choir school in Wales. The Christian faith is central to the life of the school and all members of staff are expected to actively promote the aims of a Christian school, to support the Woodard ethos, to contribute willingly and generously of their time and commitment to school life, and to sincerely seek to do and to be their best. In addition to membership of the Woodard Corporation, the Cathedral School is a member of the HMC, the Society of Heads, IAPS (The Independent Association of Prep Schools) and also of the Choir Schools’ Association.

The School offers a broad curriculum which it aspires to deliver through the highest standards of teaching. It is expected that students will progress within the School until A-level.

At The Cathedral School, young people from all faiths and traditions, or none at all, flourish in our rich, diverse culture enabling them to lead full and creative adult lives. Ultimately, our aim is to equip our young people with the skills, abilities, interests, experiences, qualifications and, most importantly, vision and values to be the best that they can be; to respect and care for others; and to spend their lives promoting the common good. We hope that each of them will, in some way either great or small, make the world a better place.

The Cathedral School has a very special ethos which underpins all that we do. Our school aims to nurture the talent and personality of each pupil, enabling all to thrive within a mutually respectful and supportive environment. We do this through:

Achievement: We strive, day in and day out, to provide the scaffolding for achievement in any and all fields. We recognise that all young people have a unique set of skills and enable all pupils to fulfil their potential.

Care: We foster a climate of care for one other, focusing on kindness, thoughtfulness and respect. We learn to listen to and understand the beliefs and values of one another. We help every child to understand that they hold their own destiny in their hands, to understand the value of hard work and to learn to love their neighbour. All of us are equally important members of the school community, valuable, distinct and unique.

Opportunity: Nurtured by our Christian values, we make sure that each child is able to find what they can excel at. We encourage them to search out opportunity, not waiting for it to come knocking. Our wide range of opportunities develop confidence, allowing each child to find what they excel at. From there the sky is the limit.

Ambition: At the Cathedral School, we look to ignite the spark that fires ambition, and teach how to handle that ambition with humility. Ambition is doing your best, not shouldering others to the side but working together. It is relishing the challenge and celebrating each milestone reached, not just for ourselves but for the whole community.

Leadership: Together, we are creating an inspiring vision of the future and building compassionate and active citizens. Leadership is about listening, learning and working together and every voice counts. The confidence gained at the Cathedral School will allow each child to get the best out of their life.