Head of Academy Education

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About The Role

Overview

Doncaster Rovers Academy are looking to recruit a Head of Academy Education (including SEP) in an exciting full time position from July 1st 2025 to manage the education progress of all academy age groups in the academy, whilst managing the holistic strand of the academy

Purpose

To be responsible for the planning, delivery and monitoring of the club Academy Education programmes, ensuring Sporting Excellence Professional (SEP) is being delivered whilst managing the progression of all players with their education programmes alongside delivering compensatory education within the hybrid programme. Ensure that the Academy Education programmes are exceeding PGAAC requirements and the development of the person is paramount. Be responsible for the direct line management of the holistic strand within the academy (Head of Academy Player Care, Lead Psychologist, Designated Safeguarding Officer), and overview all life skills and personal development programmes. Working with and integrating all across academy staff to maximise SEP delivery and wider opportunities to create a life enriching experience for all academy players throughout their journey.

Responsibilities:

• Plan, organise and monitor the Club Academy Education programmes, and create individual and innovative support programmes for academy players.
• Have knowledge and understanding of the SEP Standard, BTEC, Functional Skills and the UEFA C Coaching qualification.
• Deliver the SEP apprenticeship programme, actively involving club multidisciplinary staff.
• Manage the Head of Player Care, Club Designated Safeguarding Officer (DSO) and lead academy psychologist to ensure a safe, progressive and inclusive environment for Apprentices and Academy Schoolboys.
• Build and maintain links with education delivery partners and stakeholders, such as parents, schools/teacher contacts of the Academy apprentices and schoolboys and other educational agencies to monitor progression of all players
• Agree, develop and maintain an effective education timetable that meets the needs of players in line with the hybrid programme
• Ensure educational progression is not compromised by their involvement within the academy
• Be an effective member of the Academy Management Team.
• Monitor and develop the club Education Philosophy as part of the APP, whilst auctioning all PGAAC requirements to ensure we are operating at a good standard
• Be responsible for the educational progression of all Academy Players registered with the Club (subject to the duties of the school which an Academy Player's education is taking place).
• Oversee compensatory education sessions/provision for apprentices who may have missed education sessions and not meeting educational deadlines or targets
• Support the Head of Academy Player Care to ensure that Academy Schoolboys and Apprenticeships are provided with appropriate support upon transitioning beyond the academy
• Profile all year 10 & 11 boys against their GCSE targets and creating suitable interventions as required to support and stretch
• Ensure that all documents and records relating to the education of Academy Players required by the EFL YD Rules are in place and up to date.
• Liaise with and support the LFE Regional Officer regarding the delivery of a quality Academy Education Programme, whilst quality assuring the teaching delivery of tutors.
• Oversee and maintain effective classroom provision and to ensure that excellent standards are set in classroom management and player behaviour for all parties responsible for delivering educational sessions for the players.
• Present and work with Academy Players on club expectations and conduct for when players are attending education, ensuring high standards of behaviour are adhered to.
• To liaise with all A-Level, BTEC, Functional Skills and ALS tutors on a regular basis to ensure apprentices are progressing appropriately.
• Take appropriate action and intervention when education targets/goals are not being met by Apprentices.
• Ensure apprentice attendance is appropriate for all education sessions delivered as part of the SEP Apprenticeship programme and keep EMS registers up to date.
• Ensure that Apprentices are appropriately managed and supported in respect of their 'End Point Assessment' on the SEP.
• Attend and support Apprenticeship education sessions/classes twice per week (AL/SEP/BTEC/FSs when necessary) to create a clear visual relationship between stakeholders and the club and support the monitoring of tutor delivery
• Liaise with club staff and schools to coordinate completion of the LFE Apprentice Progress Review club contributory sections, in line with the appropriate LFE guidance.
• Oversee timely completion of the Club induction with apprentices, ensuring appropriate quality standards are adhered to.
• Complete PGAAC Education Compliance and Standards section of the Club Academy Standards Application (CASA). Liaise with LFE Regional Officer to complete the Standards Monitoring Document.
• Ensuring the YD rules are met to deliver a Hybrid training model for the academy, liaise with the LFE to ensure that there is no detrimental effect on any Schoolboy's academic progression.
• Liaise with LFE Regional Officer to complete the Club Hybrid Monitoring Support Document.
• Respond to any educational parental queries/concerns and record/collate any concerns with any academy player Apprentice or Schoolboy. Communicate this with parents/guardians and school/college and action as appropriate being a link between and safeguarding concerns
• Lead the delivery of talks for parents as required for induction, parent review and other academy support workshops alongside the Head of player care.
• Procure and manage teaching resources and equipment as required in liaison with LFE where appropriate, including appropriate use of LFE's Education Support Fund each season.
• Design and deliver an effective staff CPD programme for delivery staff alongside the LFE Regional Officer
• Attend bi weekly MDT reviews and Academy Multi-Disciplinary Review Meetings as directed with player, coach and parents.
• Attend LFE facilitated Programme Review Meetings with stakeholders and LFE Regional Officer. Inform Head of Academy of outcomes and carry out any actions in a timely manner.

• Attend and delivery conferences, meetings, training courses and other associated events as directed by the Head of Academy and LFE.

• Oversee and support the Lead psychologist to ensure we are supporting the players and staff away from the pitch and integrate our psychology strategy with our 8 pillars
• To support where possible the flow of information and strategies to support player welfare and development across Psychology, Safeguarding and ensure key stakeholders to specific individual players are kept up to date where possible
• To be a active member of the academy safeguarding team
• Where appropriate develop and maintain links with Club Doncaster Sports College and University of Doncaster to support the transition of players beyond the academy and utilise resources effectively
• Promote the brand identity and increase Club Doncaster fan base through positive service delivery.
• Support the whole of Club Doncaster group to promote the events and the business as a whole, including additional support at Club Doncaster events such as the Big Bang

• Act at all times with utmost good faith to the Club(s) and the Company
• Devote full attention and ability to fulfilment of the duties required by the role
• To work closely with, maintain good relationships, and collaborative working practices
• To work with colleagues throughout Club Doncaster to extend knowledge and skills in order to identify and develop best practice
• To undertake such other duties, training and/or hours of work as may be reasonably required and which are consistent with the general level of responsibility of this job
• To maintain the quality of service provision, regularly evaluating work and seeking to make improvements
• Present a professional image when dealing with both internal and external contacts and partners, acting in professional manner at all times
• To cover as and when required at other departments within the Club Doncaster Group
• To undertake such other duties, training and/or hours of work confirmed from the Head of Academy as may be reasonably required and which are consistent with the general level of responsibility of this job.

About The Candidate

Essential:

• QTLS
• FA Safeguarding
• EFAIF

Desirable:

• MSc in education or equivalent
• Coaching qualifications desirable

About The Club

The above mentioned duties and responsibilities should be regarded as neither exclusive nor exhaustive as the post holder may be required to undertake other reasonably determined duties and responsibilities, commensurate with the grading of the post, without changing the general character of the post.

Applicants must hold a full driving licence with access to a suitable vehicle and have in date MOT, Road tax and relevant insurance if they are intending to do business mileage for Club Doncaster. It is the employee's responsibility to ensure up to date documentation is provided to Club Doncaster.

Club Doncaster is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and employees to share this commitment. This role involves work with young people and is may be subject to Enhanced DBS check. DBS Clearance through is required. As such this post is exempt for the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (1974) and the applicant must disclose all previous convictions including spent convictions.