Active Row Islington Lead

‍Job Description

Role: Active Row Islington Lead

Responsible to: LYR Programme Director

Base/ Location: Host Secondary School & Team meetings at LYR Head Office, Royal Docks AdventureCentre, Newham

Hours: Monday to Friday, 9.00am – 5.30pm in host schools or atLYR Head Office, with two evenings per week

Role Purpose

Active Row (AR) is LYR's flagship school engagement programme. The programme aims to engage participants from a range of different backgrounds, introducing them to the sport of rowing, tackling inactivity, building Life Skills and improving wellbeing. The programme currently runs across London, Nottingham , Leeds Bradford and Wakefield and Kent, with Bristol becoming our newest location. Schools are provided with coaching and equipment to run indoor rowing clubs through the winter and on-water rowing in the spring and summer.

The role is integral to the successful delivery of the engagement programmes. This role will lead the Active Row Islington programme and, specifically, building participation for young people who face barriers to taking part in physical activity and are at risk of falling out of education. Working in 12schools in the Islington borough, the AR Islington Lead will develop a strong partnership with selected State Secondary Schools and deliver both curriculum and extra-curricular rowing sessions ineach school. The focus from September until March is Indoor Rowing moving to On-Water activity from April to August. The role will also need to lead and deliver planned multi-sport on water sessions at the QEOP to include canoeing, bell boating, kayaking, rowing and SUP.

The role is integral to the successful delivery of the engagement programmes. This role will lead the Active Row Islington programme and, specifically, building participation for young people who face barriers to taking part in physical activity and are at risk of falling out of education. Working in 12 schools in the Islington borough, the AR Islington Lead will develop a strong partnership with selected State Secondary Schools and deliver both curriculum and extra-curricular rowing sessions in each school. The focus from September until March is Indoor Rowing moving to On-Water activity from April to August. The role will also need to lead and deliver planned multi-sport on water sessions at the QEOP to include canoeing, bell boating, kayaking, rowing and SUP.

While in this role, you will consistently be working and focusing on your own development and experience as a coach and programme lead within the world of rowing and grassroots sports. While in this role, you will have the chance to shadow peers, have mentors within your team, and have support of your line manager. Your development is also at the heart of the programme, supported by your colleagues and using the framework of opportunities that LYR will offer, you will be responsible for making the most of your journey with LYR.

Performance Standards

Key Responsibilities

• To build participation in Islington schools and participants to pre-determined and agreed goals and targets  
• To deliver engaging indoor rowing sessions to new and existing participants, building participation in the current schools and clubs

• To lead well planned and organised sessions with a Life Skills focus  
• Delivery of high-quality coaching and good engagement with young people who may be at risk of dropping out of sport and physical activity
• To develop strong relationships with each Partner School, specifically PE Teachers, Heads of Department and the Senior Management Team in Partner Schools
• To confidently and safely lead ‘on the water’ multi-sport sessions for schools and other groups
• To oversee all on water elements including booking, transportation, staffing and delivery of the sessions
• To manage and lead a weekly on water multi-sport Open Club at the Olympic Park and develop recreational rowing, Kayaking and Canoeing opportunities  
• Collection of weekly data and regular surveys of young people within set timeframe to support impact measurement
• To work with other LYR Coaches to deliver Indoor Rowing Competitions for participants in Active Row Islington
• To ensure Indoor Rowing Clubs maximise the social experience and cater for changing motivations of young people
• To work with our LYR staff to identify and write case studies and new content for social media, website and promotional materials
• To promote the pathway from the Indoor Rowing Clubs (School based) to Open Clubs
• To ensure provision for Young People with Special Educational Needs or a Disability linking with internal and external SEN Co-coordinators  
• To ensure each Partner School prepares young people to enter the LYR National Junior Indoor Rowing Championships
• To run a “Go Row Indoor” weekly session at the Royal Docks aimed at adults from the surrounding area
• To attend the latest training and qualifications to keep up to date with Coaching experience
• To work with the LYR team to facilitate key events throughout the year
• To always present a positive image of London Youth Rowing and partners
• To work closely with our Programme Funders and Partners when required
• To represent the core values of London Youth Rowing

Essential Qualifications & Experience

UKCC Level 2 Certificate in Coaching Rowing (or training towards it)

Experience of working with young people and schools

Coaching experience – 11 to 18 year olds

Excellent verbal, written communication and IT skills

Ability to work independently and self-motivate to solve problems and develop the programme

Able to deliver on-water sessions from booking, to staffing to delivery of all water sports.  

Desirable Qualifications & Experience

Experience coaching Canoe/Kayak & SUP and evidence of CPD in these areas

Experience working with young people with SEND  

Experience working in the Islington area / with young people from Islington

Full UK Driving Licence

RYA Power Boating Level 2 Certificate

Safeguarding & Protecting Young People Course

Coaching Sessions

• Plan and prepare sessions for participants of various skill and ability
• Engage participants in safe and fun sessions
• Build SEND and AP participation
• Monitor and record all the necessary data for sessions  
• Evaluate and report on the progress of participants and sharing feedback with them directly as well as with the group leader and your manager
• Lead sessions both on land and on water

Developing Yourself

• Manage your attitude and expectations
• Organise yourself and developing a routine that will help you thrive
• Communicate clearly with your colleagues and managers
• Engage fully in the opportunities that are provided, and completing all the necessary training and qualifications required for the role
• Plan and shape a development plan that you are passionate about
• Report and communicate openly and honestly with your managers on your complete experience and journey  

Benefits

• Enrolment into LYR pension scheme, with the People’s Pension (subject to meeting qualifying criteria)
• 20 days’ holiday per year plus 4 company gift days (2 during summer and 2 during the Christmas holidays)
• Travel expenses

Person Specification

Experience

• Previous experience of co-ordinating or leading a programme
• Experience of working both independently and as part of a team
• Understanding and experience of using technology
• Previous experience of working independently and remotely  

Abilities, skills, and knowledge

• Ability to make sensible decisions
• Willingness to apply yourself
• Committed to developing yourself
• Capable adapting to changing environments and situations
• Skilled at communication, time management, and teamwork
• Holds a current and valid driving licence

Personal attributes

• Enthusiastic approach to working with young people who face barriers to participation and physical activity
• Passionate and spirited
• Pragmatic  
• Open minded and considerate
• Supportive and helpful
• Engaging
• Professional
• Approachable and accommodating
• Observant
• Confident

How to Apply

To apply for this role, you should submit:

• An updated CV which shows your full career history with any breaks explained, we recommend that this is no longer than three pages.
• A supporting statement explaining why you are interested in this role, detailing how you are a good candidate for this role and how you fulfil the person specification, again we recommend that this is no longer than two pages.

Please submit the documents via email to Emily Coe, Programme Director,  ecoe@londonyouthrowing.com

If you apply, we will aim to acknowledge your application within 24 hours of receipt. If after that time you have not heard from us, please telephone the LYR office (0203 434 0990) to ensure that it has arrived. Using a secure email address and putting the job title/organisation in the subject line reduces the chances of any email going into spam.

More Information

Thank you for taking the time to read this job information pack, we hope that you have found it useful. If you are interested in applying and have questions about the role you would like to ask first, please send an email to ecoe@londonyouthrowing.com with the job title/organisation in the subject line and we will get back to you.

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