Job Description

We have an exciting opportunity for an enthusiastic, proactive and organised individual to support with the efficient weekend day-to-day running of the Sports Centre at RGS Newcastle (Saturdays and Sundays).

The Weekend Sports Centre Assistant will work under the guidance of the Sports Centre Manager to deliver excellent customer experience to our external users. They will undertake a variety of operational duties which include ensuring the highest standards of health and safety, customer service, facility and equipment maintenance, and excellent customer service across all areas.

The role would be ideal for someone with excellent organisational and communication skills who is able to work efficiently, independently and be proactive in solving problems.

THE SCHOOL

In 1525, the Mayor of Newcastle, Thomas Horsley, wrote his will, in which he generously gifted his estate to fund a grammar school. Five centuries later, Horsley's vision lives on in the Royal Grammar School, Newcastle's corridors and classrooms, and his philanthropic spirit drives the RGS's commitment to education.

Few schools can claim a 500-year history. Over the years, the RGS, has continued to flourish as the premier independent school in the North East of England and as one of the country's leading schools - consistently topping the regional table for academic excellence.

Today, RGS is a fully co-educational school with over 1,300 students aged 7-18 (Years 3 to 13). Its academically selective places are highly sought after.?The school has more than 250 students in the Junior School, which shares the same outstanding site as the Senior School. Its Sixth Form is one of the largest in the independent sector, with more than 340 students.

While RGS prides itself on academic excellence, the school is also known for its emphasis on a holistic education. The school's 'There's More to Life' approach informs its holistic education, which is central to students' success, health and happiness.

RGS is based in the heart of Newcastle, immediately opposite Jesmond Metro station. The school occupies over 30 acres of land and has state-of-the-art facilities, including five brand new art studios, a new library, a modern Sixth Form Centre, a 25m swimming pool, two Sports Halls, a Performing Arts Centre, outdoor football/rugby pitches at Mooracres, an artificial turf pitch for hockey and the former County Cricket Ground.

THE SPORTS DEPARTMENT

The RGS Senior and Junior Schools offer a fantastic range of sports to students through curricular PE and swimming, timetabled games and co-curricular sports. All students are encouraged and have multiple opportunities to represent the school, and sport offers opportunities at all levels. Staff are mainly multi-disciplined and work with teams across a full range of sports and all age groups.

The sports facilities include five full-size grass pitches (one on-site and four a short 5-minute walk), a six-lane 25-metre swimming-pool; two sports halls; a newly re-laid Astro-turf hockey pitch; a climbing wall; netball courts; tennis courts; strength and conditioning studios; dance facilities; a designated PE/sport classroom and changing-rooms to accommodate all the school's foreseeable sporting needs. For cross-country running both Senior and Junior Schools use the adjoining Exhibition Park and Town Moor. For cricket, the main pitch is at Jesmond cricket ground, a 5-minute walk from the main school, and we regularly use the Northumberland Lawn Tennis club for tennis, squash and badminton facilities.

All year groups have a games afternoon every week, giving the opportunity for all students to be involved in a comprehensive programme, as well as to play in fixtures. Students in Years 7 to 9 get one hour of timetabled PE a week, and an hour of swimming every fortnight. In Years 10 and 11 they get one hour of PE, or swimming on a rotation each week. Alongside curricular PE, swimming and games, the department delivers AQA A level and GCSE PE and Sports Leaders Qualifications.

In sport we want all students to participate, whilst also striving to be the best they can, and there are inter-house competitions and school teams for rugby, hockey, football, netball, cross-country running, swimming, cricket, rounders, athletics, basketball, badminton, squash, tennis, athletics and gymnastics. The sports co-curricular schedule is busy and clubs in various sports run, before, during and after school mid-week and sometimes on a Saturday morning. Fixtures are played mid-week and on Saturdays where we can travel further afield to take on suitable competitive fixtures. Teams compete at all levels; our facilities are very busy!

PEOPLE

The Senior and Junior school Sports Department has eleven full-time and two part-time members of staff, alongside a full-time swimming teacher who works across the Junior and Senior School. Specialist coaches visit the school to deliver certain activities and strengthen the provision in our major sports alongside staff outside the department.

MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Reporting to the Sports Centre Manager, and in their absence the Director of Sport; the Weekend Sports Centre Assistant's overall responsibilities will include assisting in:

Supporting External Lets, Community Users:

Acting as the primary point of contact for all external hirers and community groups using the school's sports facilities during weekends. Providing a welcoming, professional, and customer-focused service to ensure a positive experience for all external users.

Facility Preparation and Supervision:

Preparing, setting up, and clearing away equipment and spaces for both school co-curricular activities and external bookings. Ensuring all facilities onsite are ready, safe and clear for use.

Customer Service and Communication:

Providing clear information and assistance to external hires regarding bookings, facility use, and school policies. Responding promptly and professionally to queries, feedback or concerns from external users, escalating issues as appropriate.

Security and Safeguarding:

Monitoring access to the Sports Centre and associated facilities, ensuring only authorised users are admitted. Maintaining a safe and secure environment for all users, including adherence to RGS safeguarding procedures.

Health, Safety, and Compliance:

Ensuring all activities comply with the school's health and safety policies, including Pool Safety Operating Procedures (PSOP), and relevant legislation. Conducting regular checks of facilities and equipment and promptly reporting or addressing any issues.

Administrative Support:

Assisting with administrative tasks related to external lets, such as managing booking records, preparing invoices, updating schedules, and maintaining accurate contact information for external clients. Supporting the Sports Centre Manager, Director of Sport, with event programmes, spreadsheets, and other administrative duties as required. Maintaining records, including an inventory of sports equipment and stock.

Supporting School Fixtures:

Assisting with the smooth running of school sports fixtures involving opposition schools, including welcoming visiting teams and officials, and providing information as required.

Post-Fixture Duties:

Overseeing the clearing and resetting of facilities after fixtures, ensuring spaces are left clean, secure and ready for subsequent use.

QUALIFICATIONS/TRAINING/KNOWLEDGE/SKILLS

Previous experience in a similar role is desirable, but not essential. The Weekend Sports Centre Assistant should demonstrate the following qualifications, skills and qualities:

QUALIFICATIONS

Desirable

An appropriate leisure or sports management qualification. A lifesaving qualification or a commitment to undertaking a course, which can be organised through school. A full driving licence. A Higher-Level Qualification in refereeing or sports coaching. Climbing wall instructor qualification. A current first aid qualification or a commitment to undertaking a course.

SKILLS / KNOWLEDGE

Essential

An enthusiasm of sports in general and a good working knowledge of a wide range of sports. Highly organised, with the ability to be flexible and effectively manage your own workload, multitask, and work in a fast-paced environment. An ability to work alone and show initiative, as well as work as a member of a small team. Be physically fit for lifting and moving equipment, responding to problems, etc. Be able to swim - for safety while working at the pool edge, etc. and to be able to gain a Lifesaving qualification. Enthusiastic and motivated. A customer-orientated approach to all users of sports facilities, which will require patience and understanding at times. An understanding of, and commitment to health and safety, security and handling confidential information at times. To demonstrate a personal commitment to safeguarding students and colleagues' wellbeing. To ensure any safeguarding concerns or incidents are reported appropriately and in line with the RGS safeguarding policies. To comply with all safeguarding policies and procedures and the RGS Staff Code. Very good administrative skills and excellent IT skills, including proficiency in the use of Office 365 including Microsoft Excel, Word and Outlook. Excellent verbal and written communications skills.

EXPERIENCE

Desirable

Experience of working in a sport/leisure centre. An understanding of the workings of a school or college. Knowledge of iSAMS, our school management information system.

OTHER

Participate in training and other learning activities as required and participate in appraisal and professional development.

MAIN TERMS AND CONDITIONS

Start date: as soon as possible pending completion of the successful candidate's pre-employment and safeguarding checks and candidate availability. The Weekend Sports Centre Assistant will report to the Sports Centre Manager and work with colleagues from across the Sports Department and the wider school. The role will be part time, all year round and permanent. Whilst the exact shift start/end timings may vary depending on the requirements of the Sports Centre and scheduled bookings, the core hours will be:
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Saturday:

7 hours per day, 8.30am-4.00pm (30 minutes unpaid break)

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Sunday:

7 hours per day, 8.30am-4.00pm (30 minutes unpaid break)

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Core weekly hours

: 14 hours (total)

The Sports Centre is normally operational between 8.00am and 4.00pm across Saturdays and Sundays.

Whilst the school will endeavour to give as much notice as possible, flexibility will be required with regards to shift timings in exceptional circumstances that could affect the Sports Centre operation. The Weekend Sports Centre Assistant will also be expected to work the annual safeguarding training day in September each year, which is compulsory for all staff. Payment for this day is included in the annual salary. The Weekend Sports Centre Assistant may also be required to work limited special events e.g., RGS Day and Open Day, with advance notice being given by the school. A starting salary will be based on c23.8k gross per annum (Full Time Equivalent) and the actual salary will be pro rata'd to approx. 8.9k gros8s per annum to reflect the part time working arrangement. RGS staff salaries are reviewed on 1st August each year. The school offers a generous annual leave entitlement of 31 days plus Bank Holidays for all year-round support staff. Holiday entitlement will be pro rata based on hours worked. The employee will be required to comply with a range of RGS policies, in particular, those regarding Data protection, use of ICT facilities, Child Protection, Staff Code and Health and Safety, a copy of which will be made available.

WHAT WE OFFER

During term-time, staff are provided with a free lunch, if on site. For non-teaching staff we offer a support staff pension scheme, The Aviva Pension Trust for Independent Schools (APTIS). On receipt of a 6% employee contribution the school makes an employer contribution of 10%. There is also the option of a 3% employee and 5% employer contribution if preferred. This scheme is administered via Salary Exchange (also known as Salary Sacrifice) for those who are eligible. You can opt out of the Salary Exchange arrangement whilst remaining in the pension scheme. Further details of the scheme and salary exchange will be provided on appointment. Membership to life assurance scheme through Aviva which pays out 5x annual salary in the event of death in service. The employee will become eligible for sick pay under the RGS Support Staff Sick Pay Scheme after a qualifying period. Details of the scheme will be provided on appointment. The school offers an optional healthcare plan for all staff which includes optical, dental and physio cover, access to telephone GP consultations and a host of other benefits (terms and conditions apply). Further information will be available to the employee once in post. As with all RGS employees, the employee will be encouraged to become involved in the wider life of the RGS community. It is the school's policy is to allow all eligible members of staff to educate their children at the school at concessionary rates, subject to their children meeting the academic entry requirements and subject to a place being available. Ongoing educational support and development of all staff with the provision of external and internal training courses, and our middle leaders training programme for existing and aspiring managers. We offer an interest free travel loan for a corporate Metro travel pass after a qualifying period. Further information will be available upon starting in post. We offer a Bike to Work scheme for qualifying members of staff. Terms and conditions apply. Details will be shared upon starting. Opportunity to see free school productions in the Miller Theatre located in our Performing Arts Centre. Access to our onsite confidential counselling service. We offer access to the school medical team (1 doctor and 2 nurses) for triage medical advice and free flu vaccinations. Free use of a well-equipped gym, fitness suite and swimming pool at permitted times. Supportive and friendly community. Invitation to join staff clubs and wellbeing activities during term-time. Staff social events throughout the year.

HOW TO APPLY

Candidates are advised to read the 'Information for Applicants' with particular care before applying.

Enquiries about this post should be made in the first instance to Angela Ponton (Director of Sport) or Kieran Stables (Sports Centre Manager). For an informal chat about the post, contact Angela Ponton or Kieran Stables on 0191 281 5711 or email a.ponton@rgs.newcastle.sch.uk/ k.stables@rgs.newcastle.sch.uk.

To apply for this post please submit the following to

jobs@rgs.newcastle.sch.uk

by 9.00am Monday 6th October 2025.

1. A covering letter and

2. A fully completed RGS application form

.

Note: You must complete the application form, even if you want to also attach a CV.

We will hope to make the appointment as soon as possible following interview, offering the post and gaining acceptance.

Safeguarding and Safer Recruitment

RGS is committed to the safeguarding of children and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff, volunteers and those working in school to share this commitment. The school applies the Government's Keeping Children Safe in Education Safer Recruitment procedures to all candidates including appropriate pre-interview checks on shortlisted candidates and pre-employment checks pending any offer. More information regarding the checks can be found in our Information for Applicants here, and 'Keeping Children Safe in Education' (September 2025)

Equal Opportunities

We are looking to appoint staff from a wide variety of backgrounds. Not just because it is the right thing to do but because at the RGS we recognise that those different experiences provide fresh perspectives, opportunities to challenge existing beliefs and provide opportunities to act as excellent role models for our diverse student body.

We are committed to creating an inclusive and diverse school culture and our staff are at the heart of this. We are proud to be an equal opportunities employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment regardless of neurodivergence, age, disability, sex, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief and marriage and civil partnerships.

We strive to achieve a diverse workforce, fully representative of our pluralistic society and the ethnic make-up of the student population in the UK. People of colour are under-represented on our staff team. We are keen to attract applicants from a diverse pool of candidates and determined to be a fully inclusive employer, and a great workplace for people of Black, Asian, and ethnic minority heritage as well as White heritage.

We encourage all candidates to complete an 'equal opportunities' form with your application. This will be sent directly to the HR team for monitoring purposes.

Job Types: Part-time, Permanent

Pay: 8,900.00 per year

Expected hours: 14 per week

Benefits:

Company events Company pension Cycle to work scheme Enhanced maternity leave Free flu jabs Gym membership On-site gym Sick pay
Work Location: In person

Application deadline: 06/10/2025